While providing plenty of thrills, snowmobiling is not without its risks, many of which are very much unique to this one-of-a-kind activity. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected by making sure you have all the necessary items on hand in case of an emergency mid snowmobile trip. Read on to find out what you should include in your snowmobile safety kit.

Can You Use Your Car or Home Emergency Kit?

The answer is, not exactly.

If you already have an emergency kit in your home and/or vehicle, you may think that assembling a safety kit for your snowmobile is as easy as transferring the contents of your car or home kit over to your snow cruiser. While some items in your car safety kit – including first aid supplies, a flashlight, and snacks – certainly are transferable to your sled, there are a host of other unique items you’ll want to pack specifically for snowmobile safety.

What to Pack

Since your snowmobiling adventure is likely to take you far off-road in the extreme cold or snow, being prepared for a mishap includes packing a few items you wouldn’t necessarily keep in your car, or even your house.

Your snowmobile safety kit should include:

• A first aid kit: In case of injury, you’ll want to have a fully loaded first aid kit packed with the classic safety items, including band aids, sterile gauze pads, disinfectant wipes, and Acetaminophen.
• A GPS, compass, or snowmobile trail map: These will help you stay on the right path and, if need be, help you get back on the right track.
• High-energy, non-perishable food: This can include items like granola bars, trail mix, beef jerky, or protein bars.
• Whistle: For when you need to make a distress signal in case of an emergency.
• A set of dry clothing: Make sure to pack plenty of winter clothing including warm sweaters, thick socks, windproof gloves, and a toque.
• A thick blanket: To help keep you warm when the extra clothing is not enough.
• Matches or a lighter, stored in a waterproof container: For when you need to make a fire for warmth, or other situations in which a flame is needed.
• Knife, axe or saw: For those unexpected hazards, like fallen trees.
• Your snowmobile manufacturers’ tool kit – including the owner's manual, a screwdriver, wrenches, hammer, tow rope, a spare spark plug and drive belt. This is important in case you need to make any minor repairs after a collision.
• An avalanche beacon: Most driving situations don’t run the risk of getting you caught in an avalanche, but when you’re snowmobiling, the risk of avalanches is real. Using an avalanche beacon, you can transmit a signal from underneath the snow if you ever get trapped.
• An avalanche probe: This is a long pole that slides through powdery snow allowing you to gauge snow depth or locate something or someone buried underneath it.
• A shovel: if you’ve veered off track into a snowbank, a shovel will come in handy to help retrieve your sled.
• Snowshoes: A must-have for those journeying far on snowy trails – venturing out onto the snow wearing boots won’t get you very far.
• A block and tackle: This includes rope and pulley blocks that you can use to pull your snowmobile out of a snow drift or ditch.
• A tarp: In case your other supplies fail to help, a tarp can be useful if you need to make temporary shelter.

Don’t Forget About Insurance

A flashlight and warm blanket may help you if you’re stranded in the middle of a snowy trail with a broken-down snowmobile, but they certainly can’t protect your snow vessel from collisions, theft or other unexpected misfortunes.

That’s why the most important part of snowmobile safety is one that you can’t find in any kit – insurance. Just like you protect your home, car, and other recreational vehicles with the proper plan, you’ll want to make sure that your snowmobile is protected with the right insurance coverage. With Desjardins Insurance, you can protect your snowmobile under your car insurance policy, so you can rest easy knowing that your snowy cruiser is guarded by the same great coverage with which you protect your vehicle.

Get a quote today so you can ride the snowy trails with peace of mind this winter.

Related posts

Snowmobiling Safety Tips for Beginners

How to Avoid Winter Injuries

Defensive Driving: Snowstorm Safety