Snowmobile Safety Is A Balance

Snowmobile Safety Is A Balance

By Ray Paige, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Trails Program Specialist And
Diane Tipton, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Information Officer

National snowmobile accident reports show that riders most at risk are
those who go too fast, ride in the dark, ride on ice-covered water bodies
or ride intoxicated. In Montana, avalanches are another significant risk.

"The smart rider avoids alcohol and rides at a safe speed, but that isn't
enough to protect a rider in Montana. They really need to know snow and
learn about avalanches and how they are triggered," said Ray Paige,
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks trails program specialist.

People trigger the majority of trauma-related avalanches. Paige said
riders who take at least one safety course, and who make an effort to
learn about the mechanics of avalanches, can reduce their risk of injury.
"Safety in a sport like snowmobiling is a balance of controlling what you
can control, and being knowledgeable about those things you can not
control," Paige said.

Every year FWP trains about 40 snowmobile safety instructors who in turn
may train as many as 225 riders in communities across the state.
The state's avalanche centers also provide continuous avalanche danger
advisories and avalanche training, some of it online.


While snow conditions vary widely, the state's avalanche advisory centers
are already hard at work tracking conditions. Avalanche centers are: the
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center at 406-587-6981 or
www.mtavalanche.com; West Central Montana Avalanche Center at
800-281-1030 or www.missoulaavalanche.org; or Glacier Country
Avalanche Center at 800-526-5329 or www.glacieravalanche.org.   
Montana avalanche advisories are also available on the Internet at
www.avalanche.org.

If you know one of the 50,000 nonresident riders planning to snowmobile
in Montana this winter, please remind them to purchase the $15
nonresident temporary permit now required. The proceeds help local
snowmobile clubs keep trails safer with regular grooming.

Paige also recommends that snowmobile riders:
* keep machines well maintained and serviced regularly,;
* always carry appropriate safety gear including a shovel, probe stick and
transponder;
* always dress appropriately and bring adequate survival supplies;
* check local weather conditions and the state's avalanche center
advisories;
* avoid riding in areas prone to avalanches;
* slow down when night riding;
* respect private property;
* cross roads with care;
* avoid riding alone.

http://www.bofunk.com/video/392/snowmobile_accident.html

DD