Snowmobilers are heading for the hills now that winter has come to southern Alberta and emergency responders have launched an education initiative to ensure everyone knows how to sled safely.
Steve Scheers has been snowmobiling for a decade and knows how important it is to have STARS ready to fly in and help out.
“I have seen other people that’ve needed STARS and you know, I would hate to be in the situation where I need STARS and they’re not available,” said Scheers.
Last year, STARS responded to 20 serious snowmobile incidents and have now teamed up with the Alberta Snowmobile Association to drive the safety message home.
“People are going out in back country and they like pushing the limits of machines, and I understand that, but with that comes the risk of being involved or trapped in an avalanche,” said STARS Paramedic, Chad Hegge. “These guys get buried, they end up suffocating unless they’re dug out in a timely manner.”
STARS has already been scrambled to respond to 12 incidents involving snowmobilers this year and experts say the hazards are great.
‘They range from avalanche terrain to trees in the forest beside trails to lakes or rivers crossings,” said Joel Wasnidge from the Alberta Snowmobile Association.
There are between 40,000 and 50,000 registered snowmobiles in the province.
For more information on snowmobile safety visit the Alberta Snowmobile Association and ZacsTracs websites.
(With files from Bill Marks)
