Safety First When Snowmobiling
People like to ride snowmobiles at night. This is a convenient time for friends to be able get together on a week night. Once everyone has come home from work, had dinner, and relaxed a bit, they are ready for a nice snowmobile ride with friends. Night riding has its benefits and it can become a favorite time for snowmobilers. The night is silent and still, and it is quite beautiful to experience.
There is a drawback to night time snowmobiling though; this is when many accidents occur. The night sky does not offer enough light at times to see objects in your path that you might normally see during the day.
There are a few things that you can do to make your night time ride safer. Check your headlights to be sure they are working and that all of your lights are not covered with snow. Do not travel in locations that you are not familiar with at night. Always have a flashlight handy in case of emergencies. You should not drive by yourself. If there is an accident the other riders can help and even save a life.
Many accidents happen from people hitting objects like logs, stumps, rocks, fences, and culverts. That is because these objects are often covered by snow. The rider cannot see them to avoid them. You should ride on trails that are meant for snowmobiles as this will help you to avoid these types of accidents.
You should dress in layers to help keep your body temperature from dropping due to the cold. It is better to have too much clothing on that not enough because you can take off a layer if you get to hot. You can also add another layer if you start getting too cold, so carry an extra layer of clothing with you. Thin layers are best, because they are easier to remove or put on.
You should know the signs of hypothermia and know how to deal with it. Shivering is one of the most obvious and first signs of hypothermia. This is your body's reaction to the cold and how your body internally tries to warm itself. Other signs of hypothermia are intense uncontrolled shivering (this is as the condition advances), skin looks pale; there can also be mental signs such as confusion. What you need to do is try to stop any more heat loss by getting them out of the wet and cold as soon as possible, add more clothing until you can reach a warmer place. If you are stranded try to find a shelter in some trees or other areas that can block out the wind and start a fire, if you have packed any warm fluids or food get them into that person.
As hypothermia becomes more advanced the shivering will stop. When a person has gone past this point the cold will start to have an effect on the brain. At this point the person will unlikely be able to do much for themselves and will not be clear headed. They will become very pale and maybe even appear blue. Their movements will slow considerably. This is also starting to affect the internal organs as well.
It becomes imperative that this person is taken out of the cold. Do not try to warm them up to fast as this can be a shock to the body. Slowly bring the body temperature back up.
Give warm milk or hot cocoa, avoid coffee and alcohol. Get the wet clothing off of the person and put them in dry clothing. Be sure that the head and neck are well covered. You need to get this person to the hospital as soon as you can.
What you wear is very important; your clothes need to be wind proof and water repellent. You want to use breathable materials that will not trap moisture as this can cause you to become cold. Make sure that when you are fully dressed in your gear that you still have freedom of movement, you do not want to be hindered by too much bulk. Wear a warm hat or facemask under your helmet. Your helmet should have a visor to cover the eyes and shield the face from wind and stray branches.
There are things that you should always carry with you when snowmobiling. Tools in case you break down are important. A folding saw in case you need to clear branches or gather firewood. Extra clothing, gloves and socks are another thing you should have. Food is important to have, anything that will be good cold, and you should also carry a thermos with some warm fluid like soup in it. Carry a cell phone with you as this might allow you to call for help. A first aid kit is a must have, and a foldable emergency shelter can prove to be a life saver. A compass or a GPS device is also useful if you get lost.
Things you should have in your first aid kit are:
ü 2 inch and 4 inch compresses
ü Large band aids of many shapes (elbow and knee)
ü Several smaller size band aids (finger and knuckle)
ü Butterfly band aids or Steri Strips
ü Some 4x4 gauze pads
ü A 2 inch roll of gauze
ü A roll of adhesive tape
ü Q-tips
ü Bandage scissors
ü A blanket
ü Rubbing Alcohol
ü Peroxide
ü Smelling salts
ü Antibiotic ointment
ü CPR mask
These are most of what you will need. You should carry this in a waterproof and insulated container. You should also take a first aid class and a CPR class if you are a serious snowmobiler, so that you will know what to do in the case of an emergency. You can save a life, maybe even your own.
