Parkland Ambulance is spreading the message about ATV safety after responding to an ATV incident in the Christopher lake area Thursday evening.
At about 6:17 p.m., paramedics responded to the incident, caring for a 56-year-old man with injuries. He was taken by ambulance in good and stable condition, and as of Friday morning, was still in hospital receiving care.
Attached to the media release was information from the Canada Safety Council about ATV safety.
“Serious injury or even death can result form the operation of an ATV,” the information said. “An ATV lacks a roll bar; it lacks a seat belt; its use on off-road terrain makes it more likely to be used on uneven surfaces where the potential to be tipped is greater.”
Safety tips (via Canada Safety Council):
- Ride off-road only, never on public roads
- Know your owner’s manual
- Wear an approved helmet
- Protect your eyes and body
- Check that the ATV is in good working order before you ride
- Ride with others, never along
- Know the area and be alert for hazards like fences, sharp drops or thin ice, never riding on ice covered with water
- Ride sober
- Ride within your skill
- When riding in a group, place one adult-ridden ATV in front of the ATV ridden by your child and another adult behind, if just one adult and child are riding, the adult-ridden ATV should be in front to better control speed
- Always bring water, a snack and make sure other people know where you are going and when you expect to be back
