Safety Tips for Your Snowmobiling Trip

Posted on 23 January, 2019

Safety Tips for Your Snowmobiling Trip Snowmobiling has become one of the most popular sports, therefore accidents are on the rise, that even result in deaths. Snowmobiling can be a fun and exhilarating winter activity, but can also be very dangerous without proper safety precautions.

Don’t let your fears get the best of you. With the right precautions and some smart habits, your snowmobiling trip can be safe and incident-free. Here are some snowmobile safety tips to keep you safe and having fun while snowmobiling.

Signaling

First, know the laws for snowmobiling in Connecticut (or whichever state you’ll be in).

Then you can utilize hand signals to avoid yelling over the motor and winter winds. Learning these hand signals can help keep everyone safe:

Stopping – Put your left arm straight up in the air over your head; keep your palm flat.
Left Turn – Put your left arm straight out so it’s in line with your shoulder, pointing straight out in the direction of the turn.
Right Turn – Bend your left arm and raise it to shoulder height. Extend your forearm up into the air with your palm flat.
Slowing Down – Put your left arm out and down. Move your hand in a downward flapping motion towards your machine.

Dealing with Frozen Water

Frozen water is the next most common reason for snowmobile accidents. The leading cause of death while snowmobiling is drowning. Judging an unfamiliar body of water can mean life or death to a snowmobiler.

Recognize that ice is never 100% safe. Ice is always a risk and it’s safer to go around. Safety of ice is dependent on many factors. Ask locals when visiting a new area what you should avoid.

Safety Gear

Always wear these items on a snowmobile:

Helmet
Goggles/Face Shield
Gloves
Weather appropriate clothing (moisture-wicking material recommended)
Heavy Boots

Keep a snowmobile safety kit on hand that includes:

First Aid Kit
Basic Repair Kit
GPS
Small Shovel
Flares
Ice Pick

Using Motorcyclist’s Precautions

Use the same precautions a driver of a motorcycle would use for safety:

Scan your entire field of vision often.
Identify potential hazards in advance by looking ahead and around.
Expect the worst at all times.
Decide your plan of action before the hazards are too close to you.
Execute the plan.

Stretching and Physical Health

Snowmobiling requires stamina, flexibility, and strength. Stretch beforehand and be well fed and hydrated.

Strength and core training can help to keep you safe on the ride. Core training helps the balance needed for shifting from rut to rut in the trail and assists in sharp turns. You are often required to use your whole body weight to turn the vehicle.

Respect Nature and Trailways

To keep everyone safe on the trails you must respect them. You never know what is around each turn so be aware that snowmobiling in Connecticut is both a thrill and a risk. Make sure to clean up after yourself. Never leave any trash in the trails or surrounding environment. Also, respect the wildlife allowing you to ride through their homes. Avoid going off trail in zones that may be breeding grounds for different animals. Be cautious in the areas with signs of wildlife.

Just like you wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, don’t go out on a snowmobile adventure without the right Snowmobile Insurance!

About Byrnes Agency

At Byrnes Agency, we offer auto insurance solutions that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you have an old classic car or a brand-new model, we have the right coverage for you. To learn more about our products, contact us today at one of our two locations.

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Dayville Office

Phone: (860) 774-8549

394 Lake Rd

Dayville, CT 06241

United States

info@byrnesagency.com

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Phone: (860) 886-5498

6 Consumers Avenue

Norwich, CT 06360