Snowmobile survival kits can make the difference between life and death
Snowmobiling is a great way to embrace the Canadian winter. For many, there’s no better rush than hitting the great outdoors and sampling the awe-inspiring trails that Ontario has to offer. While this hobby is an adrenaline seekers’ dream, snowmobiling unfortunately comes with a serious set of personal injury risks that are often overlooked.
Did you know that close to 50 people die in snowmobile accidents across Ontario and Quebec each year? Elsewhere, over 900 Canadians are hospitalized due to snowmobiling injuries. For snowmobilers to keep themselves and others safe from harm this winter, they should always travel with a snowmobile survival kit. Kits like these can help in times of emergency when snowmobiling in Ontario.
In fact, every snowmobiler in Ontario should try to embrace snowmobile safety this winter with snowmobile safety kits, snowmobile emergency kits, and the proper use of snowmobile safety gear. Your extra safety precautions will ensure that everybody can enjoy a safe snowmobile season free from serious injury.
Snowmobile survival kits help address overlooked dangers
Firstly, snowmobile accidents are far more common than you think. Incidents like these only increase as the popularity of the pastime continues to soar. For decades, Canadians have embraced winter sports as one of the best forms of recreation. The Canada Safety Council states that there are over 700,000 registered snowmobiles in Canada. From November through until spring, many Canadians will yet again be exploring over 125,000 kilometres of trails nationwide.
Often lost in the excitement of purchasing a new snowmobile or ATV are the potential dangers that exist in the hobby. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) states that snowmobiling is one of the deadliest outdoor activities available to Canadians. Moreover, snowmobile accident injuries tend to be far more serious than skiing or snowboarding. While snowmobiles are designed for marked trails, not the road, snowmobilers often share the road with cars en route to their rural trails. Sub-zero temperatures result in perilous black ice. At first, roads may appear safe to drive on, but black ice poses an immediate skid and collision risk.
Moreover, falling snow and less sunlight mean that drivers of cars, ATVs, and snowmobiles have reduced visibility and shortened reaction times too. Additionally, some snowmobiles weigh over 250 kilograms and can reach speeds of over 100 km/h. Pair this with snowy conditions and potential impaired driving from the holidays, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Snowmobile survival kits come in handy when Ontario snowmobile accidents occur
Ontario snowmobile accidents can result in life-changing personal injuries. They can prevent you from working, they may require ongoing care and rehabilitation, or they may cause permanent scars and disfigurement. Moreover, snowmobile accidents are closely associated with facial fractures too. When snowmobile collisions occur, drivers are launched directly into another vehicle. The fallout from such injuries potentially lasts for decades, if not longer.
Serious snowmobile accidents cause several personal injuries, including but not limited to:
- Amputation and dismemberment
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe post-traumatic stress disorder
- Death
Plus:
- Complicated back injuries
- Bone and ligament injuries
- Concussions
- Facial fractures, scars, and disfigurement
What are the common causes of snowmobile accidents?
Rookie snowmobilers are especially prone to accidents. Young children under the age of six should never ride on a snowmobile. In Ontario, you must be 16 or older and have a driver’s licence or a motorized snow-vehicle operator’s licence (not both) to drive a snowmobile along or across a public road where snowmobiles are allowed.
Snowmobiles should only be used as intended and should never be used to pull people on sleds, skis, or snowboards. Headlights and taillights should always be turned on, even during the daytime, and riders should never traverse unmarked trails. These could present hazards including fences and barbed wire. Always stick to marked snowmobile trails and it’s recommended to travel in groups of two or more as much as possible.
Snowmobile accidents occur for several reasons, including but not limited to:
- Automobile collisions, often resulting from a failure to follow marked signs
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving, including speeding, swerving, or stunts
- Rollovers caused by hidden obstacles in snowbanks
10 items that should be included in every snowmobile survival kit
While every snowmobile and ATV driver should adhere to posted speed limits, a snowmobile survival kit can help when emergency strikes. Snowmobiling can be unpredictable and winter weather can take a nasty turn in a matter of minutes.
Therefore, here are 10 things that every seasoned or new snowmobiler should carry with them in their snowmobile survival kit this winter.
- Whistle
- Lighter and matches
- An extra pair of gloves or socks
- Emergency snacks
- A flashlight and candle
- Foldable shovel
- First aid kit
- Flares
- An axe or handsaw
- GPS and map
Elsewhere, snowmobiling and winter sports enthusiasts should also create a culture of safety with friends and family. On the face of it, ATVs and snowmobiles might appear to be all fun and games, but the risks they pose to you and your family’s wellbeing are significant. Speak up when you see fellow snowmobilers misbehaving or driving dangerously. Set a good example among your peers and teach younger generations the importance of caution and safe driving this winter and beyond.
Need a snowmobile accident lawyer? We’re on your side.
Have you been seriously injured in a snowmobile accident or ATV accident? When negligence causes you to suffer a snowmobile collision and subsequent personal injury, MG Law is experienced in handling your ordeal. We’ll successfully recover the snowmobile accident compensation you deserve. On the contrary, if you were at fault for a snowmobile accident, MG Law can assist you and help you make sense of the complicated legal proceedings. You aren’t alone during trying times. Call 613-730-8460 to speak to the personal injury lawyers at MG Law.
