1. Allowing the loss of a vehicle's nose when climbing steep slopes. Whenever climbing a slope steeper than 25 degrees on the fall line, the operator must be alert for the nose of the snow cat falling to the left or right. Should this occur, the immediate correction is to apply power and bring the nose of the snow vehicle back to the fall line. If the application of power and steering does not quickly correct the problem, stop the snow vehicle and back up while steering to straighten the cat back to the fall line. Although we often "get away" not following this simple procedure, every year several serious accidents result because of this hazard.

2. Crossing frozen ice. Every year at least one snow vehicle operator/passenger is killed when the snow vehicle breaks through the ice. Too many people feel relatively safe because the water they are crossing is "only 2-4 feet" deep. This is actually the most dangerous depth should the snow vehicle break through the ice because the operator and passengers will be partially submerged and typically unable to fully open the doors to exit due to the ice. Snow vehicles that travel over ice must be equipped with roof top escape hatches for this reason.

   All snow vehicles should have their windshield rubber-sealing strip reversed and tagged to allow an opportunity for escape in these situations.

3. Travel on a false ledge. Many times high winds will deposit snow on roadways and trails in a manner that conceals the true location of the underlying road surface. Operators not trained to recognize these conditions sometimes travel out on unsupported snow, which breaks off from the surface below. This results in a sudden decent downhill that the operator often cannot arrest, resulting in accidents and rollovers.
   
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For your Survival!