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Two men had a close call last night after their side-by-side got stuck deep in the bush in Garden River First Nation overnight, and they couldn’t navigate their way back to the community. After spending a chilly night in the bush, they returned safely this morning, uninjured.The following tips are designed to help you ride responsibly and make every trip a safe one.
Never ride alone in remote areas – While it’s tempting to head off solo into the wilderness, it’s always safer to ride with a buddy – especially in remote or unfamiliar terrain. If an accident occurs, having someone else with you can be the difference between getting help fast and being stuck for hours.
Let someone know your destination and route – Share a map, specific trail names, or GPS coordinates of where you are going.
- Let someone know your expected return time. Set a firm check-in or return time. Agree on when they should contact emergency services if you do not check back in.
- Carry a GPS tracker or satellite communicator if cell service is unreliable.
- Emergency Contact Info: Provide the phone numbers of others in your group and details about your vehicle.
- Have a basic first aid kit and emergency supplies (including supplies to make a fire).
Inspect your ATV before every ride – Routine checks before riding can prevent mechanical failures that could lead to accidents.
- Check tire pressure and tread
- Ensure brakes are responsive
- Confirm all lights work, especially if riding near dusk
- Inspect throttle and cables
- Check for fuel and oil leaks
Download the what3words app to your cellphone – Help emergency services find you faster in an emergency by learning how to share your what3words address. what3words has divided the globe into 3m squares and given each one a unique three word identifier. It means any precise location can be communicated with just three words. If you call 9-1-1 and do not know where you are:
- Open the what3words app and tap the Locate Me icon. The what3words address for your current location will be displayed at the top of the screen.
- Read out the three words to your emergency call taker. For example if you’re at ///index.home.raft simply say: ‘My what3words address is index home raft’.
- The emergency service will use the what3words address to see exactly where you are and send help.
The what3words app works offline – ideal for areas with unreliable data connection.
Download the app here: https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app
Additional ATV / ORV safety tips can be found on our website.
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