Wednesday, December 03, 2003

A TIP FOR EARLY SLED RIDERS

(North Bay, ON)
There is snow in the bush now and it is very tempting to jump on that snow machine of yours and give it a go. You may travel a great distance in this early season and encounter an open area that you may not be familiar with. That open area may be a pond or lake with a skiff of ice covered with a blanket of snow. You may think it is just a field and you venture across it.

The North Bay OPP want you to avoid a tragedy in this early part of the snow vehicle season as well as for the rest of the upcoming winter. Here are some tips for you if you encounter ponds, rivers or lakes while riding your sled:

Wherever possible, avoid riding on frozen lakes and rivers because ice conditions are never a safe bet. Ice conditions can change in a period of several hours If you must cross ice, ask first, then stay on the packed or marked trail. Don't stop until you reach shore. If you hit slush, don't let off the throttle. If you are following someone who hits slush, veer off to make your own path. If you must travel over lakes and rivers then consider using a buoyant snowmobile suit which will assist you to reach the closest ice surface. Also consider carrying a set of picks which will help you grip the edge of the ice more easily As a rule of thumb, "If you don't know, don't go." If you do break through the ice, don't panic.

Follow these self rescue tips: Kick vigorously into a horizontal position and swim to the nearest ice edge. Place hands/arms on unbroken ice while kicking hard to propel your body onto the ice, like a seal. Once clear, stay flat and roll away to stronger ice. Stand, keep moving and find shelter fast.

Please ride safe, especially during this early pre-season part of the year.