Sledding Safety

Sledding Safety

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By All Means Have Fun:

Sledding has again become a very popular family fun winter sport. No doubt, with the high tech sleds that are available today. Whether family sledding or extreme sledding it would only be fitting to mention a few sledding safety precautions.

This is the part that takes the "fun out of a rock fight"

To avoid becoming a sledding accident victim practice a few common sense tasks.

Avoid stationary objects, like trees. Trees are the #1 cause for sledding accident fatalities.

Find yourself going to fast, or just landed a jump that sent you out of control.

Safest thing you can to do, just roll off your sled.

Do it before it's to late. This means take your exit in a clearing before heading into the trees.

All I'm saying is, "just be aware of your surroundings"

Back-country sledding requires that you sign up for a avalanche course from the local Board and Ski Park or mountaineering company. Look around until you find a class; it will be worth your life. The majority of people involved in avalanches caused the event themselves.

Falling into deep snow can be a major concern. You can become immobilized by struggling and then suffocate.

Tree wells can be just as dangerous. Holes in the deep snow, clearly identified at the base of a tree.

Don't go it alone. This is a recipe for disaster. Sledding with a buddy would be a good idea. Having a global positioning system or a personal locator beacon would also be a benefit.

Another way to avoid becoming a sledding accident statistic is to stay in good shape.

Sledding and other snow sports are physically demanding. In a regularly scheduled manner, exercise to strengthen all parts of your body. Prior to starting your regime, consult your physician, personal trainer or fitness expert regarding specific snow sport exercises.

The benefits of increased energy, strength, and stamina will increase your enjoyment of snow sports and reduce your chances of injury.