Sudbury Northern Life
With the snowmobile season kicking into high gear and the rising popularity of ATV use in winter months, Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) and its emergency and trauma programs would like to remind riders that the key to avoiding injury is prevention.
Snowmobiling continues to be the leading cause of winter sport and recreational injuries, and ATV injuries have been rising in every season.
Among major snowmobile and ATV-related trauma cases at the HRSRH, the overwhelming majority of those injured are male, alcohol is a factor in more than a quarter of all incidents, and of those injuries one-sixth are fatal.
“Intoxicants and powerful motor vehicles create a lethal combination,” said Dr. Chris Bourdon, medical director of the emergency department.
“Use caution when crossing frozen waterways, roadways, rail tracks or intersections and stay on marked trails. Adjust your speed to the current conditions. Know your machine and keep it in good working order. Dress appropriately for the weather, and always wear a properly fitted helmet.”
Bourdon cites the work of Smartrisk (www.smartrisk.ca), an injury prevention organization, and the five key safety messages they have developed as simple rules to follow in remaining safe on the trails — drive sober, look first, get trained, wear the gear and buckle up, and check the ice thickness.
Of particular concern is ensuring clothing is warm, layered, and waterproof, and that all riders carry some form of floatation device and ice picks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities.
“There are very few accidents in these cases. If all riders followed these safety messages, we wouldn’t have to explain the tragic consequences of a dangerous action to the people they love,” Bourdon added.
