Russell Sergent has enjoyed a longstanding passion for snowmobiling, which led to his decision to form Pro-Source Xtreme in 1999 to cater for the clothing, parts and accessories that snowmobilers need. As all snowmobilers know, safety is a paramount concern whenever you engage in the activity. This is one of the first things that novices should learn and there are a number of things that you can do to ensure you, and those around you, stay safe when you are on a snowmobile.
Drive Defensively Your protective equipment, such as your helmet, combined with the engine noise generated by the snowmobile can make it hard to hear what is going on around you. As such, you need to drive defensively and cautiously to ensure you don’t accidentally run into other drivers who are outside of your field of vision. Furthermore, snowfall and blowing snow can reduce your visibility, which again makes it crucial that you slow down and carefully consider your surroundings. Don’t assume you know what another snowmobiler is going to do, as this can compromise the safety of you and other riders. Don’t Drink When Riding Operating a snowmobile is much like using any other vehicle in that you must do everything you can to ensure your judgment is not compromised when riding. Drinking before riding will slow your reaction times and make you more susceptible to making poor decisions that can lead to injury to you or other riders. This is a particularly important point, as alcohol is a major contributing factor to many snowmobiling accidents. Treat the vehicle with the same level of respect as you would a car or motorbike and don’t drink and drive. Riding At Night Snowmobiling presents a range of new hazards at nighttime, so aim to equip yourself properly so you stay safe. You should wear colorful, highly-visible clothing when riding at night, ideally with reflective materials that will help other snowmobilers see where you are. You also need to be aware that some hazards, such as ice, trees and wildlife, will be difficult to spot in the dark. Drive cautiously and stay alert at all times. If you start to feel tired when riding at night, stop the snowmobile and consider looking for help. Bring a Repair Kit It is very easy to snowmobile beyond a point where help is easily accessible. This becomes a danger if your snowmobile breaks down for any reason. You should conduct checks before heading out and have a repair kit available to you at all times. This kit should include spare belts, spark plugs, wrenches, nuts, bolts and anything else that you may need to make emergency repairs, should the situation call for them. Russell Sergent is an experienced snowmobiler who takes safety very seriously. Comments are closed.
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