Snowmobile and Winter Ice Safety

Lakegeezer · 03-03-2008, 08:11 AM

Skimming: The law says don't skim. Obey this one! However, there may be an occasion when you are surprised by open water and have no choice. Condition yourself to quickly assess the situation, and be prepared to "go full throttle" and skim if you can't stop in time. In fact, hit-the-gas will help you in many situations, such as when you are bogging down in slush, when coming to a water bar on the trail and cresting a hill. Its part of learning to ride a snomobile - sometimes safer travel means maintaining or increasing your speed, rather than hitting the brakes.

Emergency Equipment: Keep a tow rope, gas siphon tube and emergency space blanket on board. Cell phone and GPS are nice to have.

On the trails: Imagine a sled coming around every blind corner. When you can't see what might be coming, keep to the right, slow down and mentally look for a ditching path. When seeing other sleds, use the hand-signals to indicate how many are in your party. Getting stuck happens. Learn the tricks to get unstuck (topic for another reply).

On the ice: Wait until you are sure it is safe. Avoid the narrows. Stay away from rocks in the spring. Cross cracks where others have gone before, or very quickly. Put pics on your track to help you stop on ice. Wear a pair of spikes to help you get out. Watch for bubblers, and stay at least 100' away until winter is well set in - then at least 50'. In the spring, the slush under the snow can bog you down and make you stuck, even though the ice is safe. Keep up your speed or avoid the area.

Sledding alone: While its best to not sled alone, that is often impractical advice. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, or leave a note. Keep a charged cell phone with you. If its cold, keep the phone off and near your body to save its battery. If you have a GPS, bring that alone, so you can call in your location. Watch your gas supply carefully. Don't go anywhere where you couldn't walk out within a few hours. Keep to the trails that have some activity. Dress as if you may have to spend the night outside.

03-03-2008, 08:11 AM	#3
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,680 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 355 Thanked 640 Times in 291 Posts	A few safety hints Skimming: The law says don't skim. Obey this one! However, there may be an occasion when you are surprised by open water and have no choice. Condition yourself to quickly assess the situation, and be prepared to "go full throttle" and skim if you can't stop in time. In fact, hit-the-gas will help you in many situations, such as when you are bogging down in slush, when coming to a water bar on the trail and cresting a hill. Its part of learning to ride a snomobile - sometimes safer travel means maintaining or increasing your speed, rather than hitting the brakes. Emergency Equipment: Keep a tow rope, gas siphon tube and emergency space blanket on board. Cell phone and GPS are nice to have. On the trails: Imagine a sled coming around every blind corner. When you can't see what might be coming, keep to the right, slow down and mentally look for a ditching path. When seeing other sleds, use the hand-signals to indicate how many are in your party. Getting stuck happens. Learn the tricks to get unstuck (topic for another reply). On the ice: Wait until you are sure it is safe. Avoid the narrows. Stay away from rocks in the spring. Cross cracks where others have gone before, or very quickly. Put pics on your track to help you stop on ice. Wear a pair of spikes to help you get out. Watch for bubblers, and stay at least 100' away until winter is well set in - then at least 50'. In the spring, the slush under the snow can bog you down and make you stuck, even though the ice is safe. Keep up your speed or avoid the area. Sledding alone: While its best to not sled alone, that is often impractical advice. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, or leave a note. Keep a charged cell phone with you. If its cold, keep the phone off and near your body to save its battery. If you have a GPS, bring that alone, so you can call in your location. Watch your gas supply carefully. Don't go anywhere where you couldn't walk out within a few hours. Keep to the trails that have some activity. Dress as if you may have to spend the night outside. __________________ -lg