There is a great potential for trouble and injury when combining machinery, speed and unpredictable
elements. Using common sense and knowing survival and riding techniques are essential. Always be
prepared for the worst. Your life may depend on it.

Sled out of Trouble - Emergency Tips

Snowmobilers should only travel in groups and on designated marked trails.  Stay away from roads, waterways, railroads and pedestrian traffic.  Always check the weather before heading out.

• Inspect your equipment and emergency kit before you leave, every time.
• Ensure a reliable person knows where you’re going and when to expect you back. This is
  extremely important because response time is critical in the event of an injury, especially when
  hypothermia may be a factor.
• Stay where you are. It is easier for people to find you if you remain in one spot. Know your
  ground to air signals to aid your rescue. Carrying a strobe light is also a good idea.
• Think about your situation clearly and use the STOP method:
     Sit down and try to rest and relax. You need your strength.
     Think of your total situation and evaluate it carefully.
     Observe your surroundings and take inventory of your equipment.
     Plan a logical course of action and begin to follow your plan.
• If you need to, use these tips to help you survive a night in the woods:
  • Care for personal injuries immediately. Even “minor” injuries can become critical.
  • Find protection from the elements. Use trees, snowbanks, a cave or even your snowmobile for
    shelter from the weather. If possible, construct a lean-to from branches, a blanket and extra
    clothing.
  • Use something to block the wind, preferably something bright in colour.
  • Start a fire for warmth and as a signal to others.
  • Find enough water and food to survive the first night. Remember water is a priority over food.
    Snow may be melted for water.

Make a wise investment and enroll in a winter survival course.
Sledsmart - Arrive Alive.

Avalanche Safety Tips

In mountain areas always assess avalanche danger and carry an electronic tracking device.

Be Prepared:

• Create a trip (difficulty, length, danger exposure) that takes into consideration current conditions, people’s interests and skills, terrain and other hazards.
• Ensure group members have proper avalanche safety training.
• Carry survival equipment in a backpack including: shovel, probe and spare batteries and wear your transmitter.
• Call the Public Avalanche Bulletin for latest conditions: 1-800-667-1105 or www.avalanche.ca.
• Test the transceiver’s transmit and receive functions at home.
• Ensure all transceivers are on transmit before leaving the trucks for the ride.

Route Selection. It’s Up to You - Know Before You Go:

• Travel low angle slopes, heavily treed areas, ridges and broad valley bottoms to avoid avalanche paths.
• If you choose to ride an avalanche slope, minimize your risk.
• Avoid slopes with excess wind loaded snow.
• Learn the significance of wind, sun, shade and terrain shape on avalanche danger.
• Be aware of escape routes and safe stopping areas.
• Avoid terrain traps or terrain features that can:

• Increase the depth of burial
• Gullies
• Steep transition areas (sharp changes in the slope angle)
• Sharp valleys
• Creek beds
• Walls or ridges crossing the natural path
• Decrease the chance for escape
• Gullies
• Crevasses
• Open water
• Increase the chance of injury
• Cliffs
• Rocks and trees in avalanche path

Keep in contact:

• Always ride in a group.
• Maintain constant visual contact at all time.
• Cross suspect slopes one at a time.
• Use a handsignal for "avalanche path…spread out".
• Listen to concerns of all group members.

Travel Habits

• Park in safe areas, pointed to safer areas (escape route).
• Kill switch up.
• Allow the snow to settle after a storm.
• Test (track up) small slopes with low consequences.
• Test slopes using wide, fast passes before placing yourself in committing terrain.
• Make sure that only one machine is on the slope at any time, even if your buddy is stuck.
• DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN, slopes can avalanche even after multiple passes.

If you’re caught in an avalanche, try to:

• Call out, draw attention to yourself.
• React fast, attempt to ride out of the slide.
• If no longer in control, separate yourself from your snowmobile.
• FIGHT HARD with swimming motions, trying to stay on top of the snow.
• Grab trees, rocks, etc. to avoid being tumbled down the slope.
• Keep your mouth closed and your teeth clenched.

When the avalanche slows, try to:

• Use your hands to create an airspace in front of your face.
• Wiggle to make an airspace around your body.
• Thrust an arm to the surface.
• Once the avalanche stops the snow sets up like concrete.

When the avalanche stops, try to:

• Remain calm.
• Control your breathing to conserve your oxygen, relax.
• Shout only when rescuers are very near (sound does not travel well within the snowpack).

Searching for a Victim

The most experienced person should:

• Take a moment to organize the search party.
• Consider the possibility of another avalanche before attempting a rescue. Set an escape route and post a lookout if necessary.
• Mark the last seen point of the victim(s).

Search with Beacons:

• Ensure all rescuers’ beacons are switched to receive.
• Spread out at 30 metre intervals to cover the debris.
• Look for surface clues: a hand, hat, glove, etc.
• Don’t litter the slope with rescuers’ belongings.
• Search around and downhill of any clues.
• When a signal is picked up assign one or two to locate it while others continue the search.
• Pinpoint the signal to a small radius, then probe to find the victim.
• Without removing the probe, quickly dig out the victim.
• Turn the victim’s beacon to receive if others are still buried.

Avalanche forecast information reports are available by
calling 1-800-667-1105
www.avalanche.ca

If you have any suggestions on traffic safety issues that are of interest to you and your community, or for more information, please contact:

Updated January 2008