As we enter wintertime, a lot of Alaskans will be taking to the snow on a snow machine. Remember they are as dangerous as they are fun. Reduce accidents and injuries by starting your snow machine safely. Be careful, be intelligent and have fun.
SAFELY STARTING A SNOW MACHINE
First, before you start your snow machine, make sure that it is pointed in a direction that is safe. If you start the machine and it lurches forward, you want to make sure the area in front of you is clear.
Second, hold the handlebar of your machine with one hand when you start it. Again, should it start suddenly, you want to be in control. There are several safe positions you can be in while starting your snow machine:
- Use your left hand to hold the left handlebar while your right knee is kneeling on the seat’s left side. This way you can use your right hand to reach over and pull the ripcord.
- Sit on the machine, use your left hand to hold the left handlebar, and use your right hand to push the electric start button.
- Stand to the right side of the snow machine and use one hand to either pull the ripcord or push the electric start button while holding the right handlebar with the other hand.
Third, if you used a ripcord to start your snow machine, make sure to throttle it a little bit after it has started. After throttling, it will come back to an idle. If the machine is cold, you may need to throttle it a couple times and prime or choke the engine, especially if this is the first time you started the engine. If you are having trouble starting your snow machine, be careful to stop pulling the ripcord before the engine gets flooded with gas. Simply wait one or two minutes and try again.
Play in the Snow Safely
Staying safe on will help you avoid being in an accident, as well as preventing potential injuries. Alaskan residents who do suffer an injury on a snow machine may want to investigate how the crash occurred. It’s possible you may have a claim for damages. If you want guidance in this process, schedule a free consultation with Merdes Law Office. Contact us at 907.452.5400 (toll free: 866.452.3741) or visit www.merdes.com.
The Merdes Law Firm has helped injured Alaskans for more than 30 years, it’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do.
Source: Safe Riders!, “Section 3: Riding Tips,” accessed Oct. 23, 2015
