| now groomed trails of winter, great scenery and | | | | whatsoever to help them. Call for help. Do not try to |
| friendly people. Snowmobiler's paradise. But be more | | | | move a downed electric power line. Even with a |
| than careful and you, your snowmobile pack friends | | | | non-conductive material such as wood, for example a |
| and family will have a safe and enjoyable event. | | | | broom handle or tree limb, you could still be injured |
| Know the hazards of your snowmobiling district in | | | | by the high voltage electric current. This is extremely |
| order that you can have a safe and enjoyable ride. | | | | dangerous. Do not risk it – no matter what |
| - Keep your eyes on the trail ahead, and watch for | | | | heroic stories you have heard. Call for professional |
| the guy wires (Guy wires are the cables which | | | | help. Again you will only become victim number two. |
| anchor the poles to the ground). They usually have | | | | - Take into account both the terrain and your ability |
| bright markers but these may well be buried in snow | | | | when determining how fast a speed is too fast. |
| drifts. | | | | - Stay on trails or in areas where snowmobiling is |
| - Remember that darkness, fog or snow can make | | | | allowed - do not trespass or take unnecessary short |
| these guy wires even harder to see and avoid at the | | | | cuts. |
| last second. Listen to the weather forecast | | | | - Be familiar with areas that you travel through and |
| (Environment Canada) before starting out. | | | | try to avoid traveling over water. |
| - Drive at a reasonable and safe speed at all times, | | | | - Keep your snowmobile properly maintained. |
| but especially keep your speeds down near utility | | | | - Always wear a properly certified helmet with |
| poles. If you do see a downed power line – | | | | goggles or a visor and warm properly layered |
| then stay far far away from it and especially | | | | clothing. |
| anything lying nearby or touching that downed | | | | - Ride with a friend, or in a group, and let someone |
| electric power line. The fallen electric power line can | | | | know where you are going and what time you will be |
| simply be touching a fence, a tree or fallen into | | | | back. |
| water on a warm day. Of course you should never | | | | - A portable global positioning system (G.P.S.) is a |
| ever drive over downed power lines under any | | | | most useful and relatively inexpensive safety device |
| circumstances. | | | | acting as a mapping, navigation and safety backup |
| - Always make it a point and overall policy to stay | | | | device. |
| clear of substations and other hydro and electric | | | | - If the area that you are snowmobiling in has cellular |
| power facilities. | | | | telephone coverage, then a cellular phone can |
| - Downed electric power lines are a major danger | | | | function as a simple. |
| and hazard. If you do see a downed power line | | | | Safety warning or alerting device. In a pinch you can |
| – then stay far far away from it and | | | | always call for help. That is as long as the phone is |
| especially anything lying nearby or touching that | | | | charged up. If you vehicle stalls you may not have |
| downed electric power line. The fallen electric power | | | | the luxury of charging your cell phone via the |
| line can simply be touching a fence, a tree or fallen | | | | cigarette lighter adapter of your snowmobile. |
| into water on a warm day. Of course you should | | | | - Always know and use proper hand signals, especially |
| never ever drive over downed power lines under any | | | | in a group setting. Your riding comrades can see you |
| circumstances. | | | | well; they may not hear the sound of verbal |
| - If you do see someone who is in contact with a | | | | commands over the sounds of the engines and the |
| downed power line, do not under any circumstances | | | | crackling snow and ice. |
| touch them, other wise you will be electric shock | | | | - Lastly always carry emergency supplies - and know |
| victim number 2. It goes without stating that you will | | | | first aid and winter survival skills. |
| be adding fuel to the fire. You will in no position | | | | Remember it’s cold and lonely out there. |