Lake Sunapee Snowmobile Club

Safe Riders Checklist

As a Safe Rider, you:

1. Know your abilities and do not exceed them
2. Know your machine's capabilities and don't push them
3. Know your riding area. Get a map, talk to locals
4. Learn more - read manuals & materials from manufacturers, and snowmobile associations, or watch videos from these sources.

Keep your machine in top shape

You have two good guides available for snowmobile maintenance: the owner's manual and your dealer. Consult both to make sure your machine is kept in top form for dependable, enjoyable fun.
Your local club or association may also conduct safety and maintenance programs.
Before each ride, follow the "pre-op" check outlined in your owner's manual.

Follow the rules

1. Ensure your snowmobile is properly registered and insured
2. Check local bylaws before heading out
3. Keep right on the trails and use your hand signals
4. Trespassing on private property is disrespectful. Ensure you ask permission and drive with respect while on private property

Safe Crossing

Be careful when crossing roads of any kind. Come to a complete stop and make absolutely sure no traffic is approaching from any direction and cross the road at a right angle to traffic.

Dress Appropriately

Wear layers of clothing so you can add or remove a layer or two to match changing conditions. A windproof outer layer is especially important, as are warm gloves or mitts, boots and a helmet.
Make sure your helmet is safety-certified, the right size and in good condition. A visor is essential to clear vision and wind protection, and the chinstrap should be snug.
Wear glasses or goggles that offer protection from the sun.

Think Ahead

Remember it is you, the rider, that makes snowmobiling safe. Many problems will be avoided by using common sense. Minor problems can be overcome by carrying a useful tool kit, spare parts, flashlight, first aid kit and a few survival items such as high-energy food, fire starting equipment and a compass.

Take it easy

Today's snowmobile is a mechanical marvel. It provides inspiring performance, reliability, and pleasing aesthetics, combined with essential safety design and components.
Safe Riders drive within the limits of their machine and their abilities.
Remember speed is not the measure of snowmobiling fun. You should always ride at a speed in which you can stop within your line of sight. Slow down and enjoy the scenery and the experience. Ease up on the throttle especially when near other machines, people, trees, animals and other objects.

Take a friend

Don't snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family and friends, it's safer too!

File a plan

Airplane pilots and boaters file flight and float plans respectively, so that others know where to look if they're overdue. "Snow plans" describing your machine and your planned route can be time and life-saving. Leave one with your family or friends. Like those who file travel plans, always let your family and friends know you're back or have arrived at your destination.

Take care of the trail

Safe Riders snowmobile to enjoy the outdoors, they treat it with respect, they wait for snow cover to protect vegetation, they avoid running over trees and shrubs, and they appreciate but don't distribute animals or other outdoor users.

Stay alert

Focusing on the tail light of the snowmobile ahead of you is the cause of many collisions. If your eyes are fixed on the tail light, you're not likely to notice the slight turn the machine ahead makes to avoid a collision or the object that was almost hit. After snowmobiling for several hours your reaction time slows. Be aware that even though you may not feel tired, the motion, wind and vibration of the machine may begin to dull your senses.

Beware of darkness

Low light and darkness require special care. Slow down and watch out for others. Overcast days require extra caution. Don't overdrive your headlights. Ask yourself, "Am I driving slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision?" At night on lakes and large open fields, estimating distances and direction of travel may become difficult. It is important to keep some point of reference when riding at night.

Beware of Water

The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers. Besides the danger of plunging through the ice, you have less traction for starting, turning and stopping on ice than on snow. Collisions on lakes account for a significant number of safety-related incidents. Don't hold the attitude that lakes are flat, wide-open areas, free of obstructions. Remember, if you can ride and turn in any direction without boundaries, so can other riders. The threat of a collision, then, can come from any direction. If you do snowmobile on the ice, make absolutely sure the ice is safely frozen. Don't trust the judgment of other snowmobilers. You are responsible for your own safe snowmobiling. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities - consider buying a buoyant snowmobile suit. If you go through the ice, remember that your snowmobile suit (even a non-buoyant one) and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes. Slide back onto the ice, using anything sharp to dig in for better pull. Kick your feet to propel you onto the ice, like a seal. If the ice keeps breaking, continue moving toward shore or the direction from which you came. Don't remove your gloves or mitts. Once on the ice, roll away from the hole. Don't stand until well away from the hole.

Alcohol and Snowmobiling Simply Do Not Mix-- Forget the myth that alcohol warms up a chilled person. It opens up the blood vessels and removes the feeling of chill but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase the risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body's core temperature.

Alcohol increases fatigue, fogs your ability to make good decisions and slows your reaction time. It's part of the formula for disaster, and drinking and driving is a against the law!

Hypothermia-- Exposure could be a substitute word for "hypothermia" and is associated with winter. Problems caused by exposure, however, occur during times when the weather is not extremely cold.

Four primary factors contribute to hypothermia:

1. Cold (not necessarily severe)
2. Wetness (rain, snow, water immersion or condensed precipitation)
3. Wind (chill factor)
4. And exhaustion and/or lack of preparedness

Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, vague or slurred speech, fumbling hands or stumbling gait, memory lapses, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.

Combat hypothermia by being prepared with high quality, insulated clothing (wool or synthetic fibers), adequate knowledge and emergency rations.

Carry Through

You've parked your sled for the day, but don't rest your Safe Rider sense. If your after-snowmobile activities include alcohol make sure you have a designated driver. This will keep everyone alive and ready to ride another day.