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Snowmobile Safety Tips

By Mike Chudd on March 10, 2020
Snowmobile

Snowmobiling is an exhilarating winter sport that has gained popularity since its creation in the 1950s. However, it comes with some risks, and one of the biggest threats to snowmobilers is the possibility of an avalanche occurring. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it's essential to know how to deal with this risk and prevent hypothermia and frostbite. To help you stay safe during your winter adventures, we've compiled some snowmobile safety tips.

Enroll in a Safety Course

The first and most important step for snowmobile safety is to enroll in a snow and avalanche safety course. You can find these courses at nearby ski resorts, dealerships, forestry centers, or even online. Some courses focus solely on avalanche risks, while others cover equipment, responsible riding, rescuing techniques, and what to do if you become trapped in sliding snow.

Check the Weather Forecast

Before embarking on your snowmobile trip, make sure to check the weather forecast. Warm temperatures and sunshine on a mountain can loosen snowpack, making it more fragile and prone to sliding. Rain can also make snow more slippery. By knowing the conditions before you go, you can determine whether it's safe to ride your snowmobile in the area or not.

Get the Right Gear

It's crucial to have the right equipment when snowmobiling. Wear an avalanche transceiver that acts as both a signaling beacon and a receiver. These devices send and receive radio data, and some high-tech models may even transmit your vitals. Everyone in your party should carry a small shovel and probe in their packs to help rescue others. Calling for help is essential, but the best chance for survival is to work quickly to free as many of your party as possible.

Avalanche Survival Strategies

If you discover that the snow around or underneath you is sliding, act quickly to get out of the way. Snowmobiles, due to their weight and speed, can trigger an avalanche, especially when going over steep slopes, riding in warmer conditions, or attempting dangerous maneuvers. First, yell "Avalanche!" to alert other riders of the threat. Then try to move sideways to higher ground to avoid the avalanche's path. If possible, grab onto trees. If you're not getting away fast enough, get rid of as much gear as you can while keeping your pack at your side.

Use your hands to form an air pocket in front of your nose and mouth, expand your lungs as much as possible, and swim a backstroke with your feet pointed downhill, pushing snow away from you so that you remain near the surface. Don't try to go uphill when surrounded by snow; instead, move downwards with it. Your avalanche beacon will have been activated by the snow surrounding you, so your party members should be actively searching for you and alerting authorities. Wait for them to arrive and stay calm.

Rescuing Others

If you need to rescue your fallen comrades on the other side of an avalanche, rescue as many of them as quickly as possible. Appoint a leader if there are more members of your party and have another person call for help. Figure out if there's a risk of another avalanche and plan how to escape it. Do a headcount to determine how many people have been buried and try to remember where each person was before the snow hit. Look for tracks in the snow to find their snowmobiles.

Set your transceivers to receive signals from avalanche beacons and go for the person who is closest to you. The chance of survival is highest within the first twenty minutes of burial. You’ll also have to help your injured or incapacitated friends as you free them, which is why knowing first aid, CPR and hypothermia prevention is important.

Snowmobiling is undoubtedly a thrilling winter sport, but it does come with some risks. Avalanche is one of the biggest threats, and it's crucial to be prepared to deal with it. Enrolling in a safety course, checking the weather forecast, and wearing the right gear can make a big difference. In case of an avalanche, knowing survival strategies and rescuing techniques can increase your chances of survival. Remember to stay calm, alert your party, and call for help. By following these safety tips, you can have an enjoyable and safe snowmobiling experience. So, be prepared and have fun on your winter adventures!