The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association is partnering with the STARS air ambulance to spread the message of snowmobile safety.
Officials say with the warm weather we’ve been getting this fall, extra cautions should be taken around bodies of water.
STARS Flight Paramedic Matt Hogan says snowmobile riders can do a number of things to ensure their own safety.
“Use the appropriate safety equipment,” he says. “Use caution when traveling — especially in open areas — just to watch out for hazards like fences and things like that. Make sure somebody is notified when they’re going out in a group, and has an idea when they should be back. And we’re also asking people when they use these snow machines that they drive sober.”
Hogan says since 2013, the six STARS bases in western Canada have been called out to 46 snowmobile related emergencies.
He says information on safe riding is available online.
So we would definitely recommend that they check out the website for the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association,” he says. “That would be a good source of information for safety tips.”
Hogan says it is a good idea for snowmobile riders of all ages to take obtain safety training.