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Posted on October 24, 2007 by Jason Petrina | Posted under Shopping and Product Reviews
Snowmobile Safety
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Proper snowmobile safety starts with your clothing. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately in warm clothing that covers your entire body, with the exception of your eyes. A scarf should be used to wrap the bottom portion of your face, and a knit cap should be worn on your head - even if your overcoat has a hood. Layers of water repellent clothing are recommended. Warm boots and gloves are required. Make sure that your clothing fits well, and that you don't have any loose ends that may get caught in the machinery of the snow mobile, or snagged on brush while riding. Along with warm clothing, a helmet and goggles are needed. Some people opt for a facemask. Make sure that the goggles are fog resistant, and they should be shaded as well to cut down on glaring from the sun and the snow. Make sure that your snowmobile is in top running condition. Do an inspection, and ensure that everything is working property. Carry a toolkit and a first aid kit with you. Include a flashlight, a compass, a map, and waterproof matches as well. Bottled water should also be carried. You may also consider a portable two way radio - leaving the other radio with someone who is not going with you. If you are riding in mountain areas where there is a risk of avalanches, you should carry a small shovel as well. Do not operate your snowmobile if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol lowers your body temperature, and contributes to hypothermia, and alcohol and drugs impair your ability to operate the snowmobile in a safe manner. Alcohol and drugs are the leading cause of most fatal snowmobile accidents. Speed is also a factor in most fatal snowmobile accidents. Going fast is fun, but it can also get you or someone else killed. Drive at a speed that gives you the most control of the snowmobile. The faster you go, the less control you have. Snowmobiles weigh up to 600 pounds, and some can go more than 90 miles per hour. At 90 miles per hour, a snowmobile moves 131 feet per second. The standard reaction time is 1.5 seconds - this is the time it takes for your eyes to see that you need to stop, for that message to get to your brain, and for your brain to cause you to take measures to stop. In that amount of time, you will travel 195 feet before coming to a complete stop. Follow marked trails and look ahead as far as you can to avoid fences, trees, tree stumps, or other obstacles that may be concealed by the snow. Come to a complete stop before crossing roads to check for approaching cross traffic. Avoid crossing any bodies of water. You cannot be certain of the thickness of the ice, and you may fall through. You must be aware of your surroundings, but you should also be aware of how you feel. The wind, the sun, the glare, the cold, and the vibration and motion of the snowmobile can cause both physical and mental fatigue. Take a break about every hour. Get off the snowmobile - if possible - and walk around for a few minutes to make sure that you are staying sharp. Finally, always make sure someone knows where you are going, and approximately how long you intend to be gone. If you have a crash, or a mechanical problem, at least that person will know where to start looking for you. Making someone aware of where you will be is an important safety practice that should not be ignored. About The Author: Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com |
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