A Safety Warning For Snowmobilers
By 250 News
Monday, January 30, 2006 01:07 AM
Red Cross warns, don't let a fun outing like this end in tragedy
A report released last week by the Canadian Institute for Health Information detailing snowmobiling injuries has prompted the local chapter of the Canadian Red Cross to issue a plea...
Each year in Canada, an average of 23 people drown while snowmobiling -- drowning is the leading cause of death for recreational and sporting activities.
Red Cross Water Safety rep, Becky Row, says research shows that nearly all snowmobile drownings occurred late in the day, or at night. She says alcohol was associated with at least 59% of the drownings.
"We urge snowmobilers to use caution all the time and particularly around rivers, lakes and other bodies of water where ice may not be thick enough, or not consistently thick enough, to support a snowmobile," says Row.
The Red Cross offers up the following tips:
1. Do not consume alcohol before or during a snowmobile outing
2. Avoid snowmobiling in the dark, when it's more difficult to detect unsafe conditions
3. If you will be travelling on or around water, consider wearing a flotation device and clothing to protect against hypothermia
4. If travelling on ice, know the ice thickness first and stay away from inflow or outflow of water
5. Ice should be 25cm thick to safely support snowmobiles
6. Travel closer to shore is safer than travel across waterways
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Posted by: acrider54 on January 30 2006 6:05 AM