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Staying Alive and Healthy

Night Riding:

• Nine out of ten fatalities occur after dark
• Visibility is reduced
• Overdriving headlights means you cannot miss hazards
• Becoming disoriented and lost is easy to do
• Never ride alone
• Wear reflective outer clothing
• Always wear full gear even if going “next door”
• Often includes alcohol consumption and excessive speed
• Carry a small FLASHLIGHT!

Ice & Sleds

• Drowning is one of the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities
• Ice is never a safe bet
• Conditions can change in several hours
• If you must cross – “ Know before you go “
• Stay on a marked trail
• If you hit slush, power your way through
• Consider a buoyant snowmobile suit
• Carry ice picks (on your body) and a rescue throw rope
• If you are fortunate enough to get out, stay flat and roll to stronger ice
• You must find or create shelter fast.

Drink & Operate a Snowmobile

• Alcohol is involved in over 70% of snowmobile fatalities
• Small amounts of alcohol impair perception, reaction time and ability to control your sled
• Alcohol increases susceptibility to hypothermia, decreasing your chance of survival
• Operating your sled while impaired is a Criminal act and will result in suspension of all driving privileges
• Police forces and STOP officers are on snowmobile patrol to enforce The Motorized Snow Vehicles Act

Drive Defensively

• Be extra alert for danger
• Never assume what another operator will do

  Watch For:

  • Obstacles hidden by snow
  • Trees and branches on OFSC prescribed Trail
  • Slow grooming equipment
  • Oncoming sleds
  • Other OFSC prescribed Trail users. (Some OFSC prescribed Trails are multi use)
  • Wildlife
  • OFSC prescribed Trail washouts, flooding and boils
  • Snow banks and moguls
  • Road and railway crossings
  • Unexpected corners, intersections and stops
  • Bridges, open water, unsafe ice and logging operations

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