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Healthy Living - Injury Prevention


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Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 6E7
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Snowmobile Safety

Snowmobiling is a great way to enjoy the fresh outdoors.
Whenever you are out remember to always operate with care.

 

Safe Snowmobiling Tips

S

Stay alert and stay sober! Alcohol will impair your judgement and reaction time. So, it makes sense to never ride with a person who has been drinking either.

N

Note that young children should ride in front and should never be left alone with a running machine.

O

Observe ice conditions before heading out on lakes and rivers. Safe ice should be at least 5 inches thick. Remember the golden rule of ice: "If you don't know, don't go!"

W

Wear a fitted helmet, windproof clothing, warm boots and mitts so that all skin is covered.

M

Move to the right! Always travel on the right side of the trail. Remember to take extra caution at corners and hills where the trail ahead is hidden. Watch for pedestrians and skiiers.

O

On the trail, stick to groomed trails that are safe and always obey the trails' laws. Never ride on or beside railway tracks.

B

Beware of darkness! Take extra care to watch for other riders and obstacles that may be difficult to see when the sun goes down.

I

Intersect roads and railway crossings carefully! Come to a complete stop. Proceed only when no traffic is coming from any direction.

L


E

Limit your speed! Driving at high speeds is careless and could easily result in injury or death.

Enjoy your ride!  Be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.

 

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Ice Safety

 

 

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Tips on Surviving the Cold

FROSTBITE is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing and can cause permanent damage.

Warning signs:

  • Areas will start to become reddish in colour.
  • Areas will become painful.
  • Areas will appear white and waxy.
  • Areas will start to feel numb.

What to do:

  • Get victim into a warm room.
  • Immerse the affected area in WARM (not hot) water or warm by using body heat.
  • Do not massage the frostbitten area.
  • Seek medical attention.

HYPOTHERMIA occurs from over-exposure to the cold. Low body temperature can affect the brain.

Warning signs:

  • Shivering/exhaustion
  • Confusion/memory loss
  • Drowsiness

What to do :

  • Get victim into a warm room.
  • Remove any wet clothing on the victim.
  • Warm the victim using a blanket (including head and neck), or use skin-to-skin contact.
  • Get medical attention.

Expect the unexpected. 
What to do if your machine breaks down or if you get lost:

  • Stay calm. Call for help. Decide on a plan.
  • Give first aid to injured including yourself.
  • Gather firewood and build a fire.
  • Make a shelter and stay where you are.
  • Look for sources of food nearby.
  • Melt snow and boil water for 10 minutes.
  • Attract attention to your location.
  • Stay put, unless you know exactly where you are going.

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How to Deal with Slush

Slush is a combination of wet snow and water on the surface of a frozen body of water.

 Slush DO’S and DON’TS:

  • Do try to avoid slush as much as possible.
  • Do stay on the throttle to get through the slushy area.
  • Don't stop in slush except to avoid going through open water.
  • Don't ride in the exact same path as the machine ahead of you unless it is definitely the safest place to be.

What to do if you get stuck in slush:

  1. Once the machine stops, let off the throttle.
  2. Get off the machine. Stomp around to pack a path 1 meter (4 feet) wide and 25 meters (100 feet) in front of the machine in the direction that looks best to get out.
  3. Take your time doing this, you will be cold and wet.  Fatigue will set in quickly.
  4. If capable, shut the engine off and tip the machine on its side. Clear out the snow and slush from inside the track.
  5. Tip the machine back up and turn on the engine to let it warm up.
  6. Stand on the running boards and apply the throttle to get the machine moving.
  7. Once the machine starts to move, increase throttle and keep moving away from the slush at a safe speed.
  8. If the machine remains stuck, raise the machine out of the slush as best as you can. Seek assistance.
  9. Get indoors immediately! Hypothermia is not to far away when you are wet, tired and cold.

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Helpful Links:

The majority of injuries are predictable and preventable. 
Safety is no accident!

Last Updated: 1/31/2012
Our other sites: ThunderBayFlu.ca |  FairStart.ca | 4HealthyKidsNorthWest.ca | ThunderBayBPSO.ca | HealthyThunderBayDistrict.ca