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Preparing To Ride

Chapter 2

5

Eye Protection

Being able to see

clearly will help you ride
more safely. Operating
without eye protection
can result in an acci-
dent and increases your
chances of a severe eye
injury in the event of an
accident. An object
such as a rock, branch
or even a bug that hits
you in the face can distract you; but if you are hit in the eyes, you could
be blinded. Regular sunglasses do not provide enough protection when
riding an ATV. A face shield or goggles will help protect you. 

They should be:

Free from scratches, preferably bearing the standard marking
AS1337, or constructed of a hard-coated polycarbonate.

Securely fastened.

Tinted for riding on bright days, clear for night riding or yellow for
overcast days.

Gloves

Gloves should be of the quality that will help prevent your hands from

getting sore, tired or cold, as well as offer protection in the event of a
spill. Off-road style gloves, available at motorcycle and ATV dealerships,
provide the best combination of protection and comfort. They are
padded over the knuckles for added protection. Leather gloves should
be avoided as they stretch and become slippery when wet.

Boots

The minimum protective footwear is a pair of strong, over-the-ankle

boots with low heels to help prevent your feet from slipping off the
footrests. Off-road style over-the-calf ATV or motorcycle boots offer the
best protection for feet, ankles and legs.

Clothing

It is important to protect your skin from scratches. A long-sleeved shirt

or jersey and long pants are minimum requirements for rider protection.
Off-road riding gear, (such as jersey; shoulder pads/chest protector; and
off-road pants with knee and shin pads) provide better protection.

Chapter 2 - Quiz

1. Your first consideration when purchasing a helmet should be price.

True 

 

False 

2. A helmet may not protect the head in a spill if the chinstrap is not

fastened.

True 

 

False 

3. Operating without eye protection can lead to an accident.

True 

 

False 

4. A helmet slightly damaged in a minor impact can still offer adequate

protection.

True 

 

False 

5. Wearing a helmet will reduce normal peripheral (side) vision.

True 

 

False 

6. Open-faced helmets provide more protection than full-faced

helmets.

True 

 

False 

7. Athletic headgear is suitable for ATV riding.

True 

 

False 

8. There are gloves available specially made for off-road riding.

True 

 

False 

9. Tennis shoes provide adequate protection in off-road riding

situations.

True 

 

False 

10.Warming up by stretching the muscles will help prevent strains while

riding.

True 

 

False 

Minimum

recommended

clothing for

riding an ATV

Gloves

Over-ankle Boots

Helmet & eye protection

long-sleeved shirt

or jersey

Long pants

Summary of Contents for Raptor

Page 1: ...ATV Rider Course Manual SAFETY INSTITUTE Stephen Galls Stephen Galls SAFETY INSTITUTE ...

Page 2: ...ational activities Being responsible using common sense and practising important skills are all important ingredients in making ATV riding more rewarding Your ATV Owners Manual Take the time to carefully read and understand your owner s manual Paying close attention to the manual could save you from severe or even fatal injury Read and comply with all the labels on your ATV These labels address wa...

Page 3: ...ing Quickly 13 Swerving 13 C h a p t e r 8 Riding Strategies Reading The Terrain 14 Choosing Proper Speeds 14 Utilising SEE Practising SEE 14 Trail Riding Riding Different Terrains 15 Loading and Towing 16 Effects of Alcohol Drugs and Fatigue 16 Loading and Unloading Your ATV from another Vehicle 17 C h a p t e r 9 Riding Over Obstacles One Track Obstacles 18 Two Track Obstacles 18 C h a p t e r 1...

Page 4: ...ow safe your ride will be Riding safely requires the rider to take responsibility for his or her own riding abilities the riding environment and the capabilities of the ATV Riding within personal limits may seem to be simple to do but many injuries are caused by riders going beyond their abilities You should look at riding as an activity requiring the interaction of three things personal ability A...

Page 5: ...th chin protection For a helmet to offer the most protection possible it must fit properly Your helmet should fit snugly but comfortably and be securely fastened Always fasten you helmet s chinstrap snugly A helmet will do you no good if it comes off during a mishap The Right Helmet for Youngsters A helmet is also the most important piece of protective gear for chil dren Athletic headgear such as ...

Page 6: ...e boots with low heels to help prevent your feet from slipping off the footrests Off road style over the calf ATV or motorcycle boots offer the best protection for feet ankles and legs Clothing It is important to protect your skin from scratches A long sleeved shirt or jersey and long pants are minimum requirements for rider protection Off road riding gear such as jersey shoulder pads chest protec...

Page 7: ...etching Exercises Possibly one of the areas most neglected by ATV riders these days is that of injury prevention through stretching It s only when you fall off and are flexi ble enough to avoid injury that you will really reap the benefits of stretching The Stretching Routine Before you proceed with the following stretching exercises you should warm up your muscles by doing a brisk walk or jogging...

Page 8: ...o the left and right side SHOULDER Pull one elbow across in front of you and then hold it with your other arm You will feel the strain across your shoulder SHOULDERS 1 Interlock fingers and stretch your arms out in front of you keeping your elbows as straight as possible SHOULDERS 2 This is the same as the previous exercise except stretching upwards SHOULDERS 3 Clasp your hands together behind you...

Page 9: ...ven when the engine is not running Practise mounting using the controls until you can operate the con trols without looking at them Dismounting your ATV To dismount your ATV correctly Set parking brake Stop engine using engine stop switch Turn off ignition fuel valve and vent cap if present Follow the steps for mounting in reverse order Checking Your ATV A pre ride inspection of your ATV s mechani...

Page 10: ...rive chain check for oil leaks Maintain its oil supply as out lined in your owner s manual 3 Nuts n Bolts Riding in rough terrain will loosen parts Look and feel for loose parts while the engine is off Shake handlebars footrests etc before each ride and periodi cally check fasteners 4 Check shock absorbers and mounting bolts Tool Kit Emergency situations can arise with any motor vehicle running ou...

Page 11: ...left or right hand grip Choke 5 If the engine is cold put the CHOKE in the ON position Check your owner s manual for choke location 7 Start the engine according to the directions in your owner s manual 8 Once the machine is warmed up return the choke to its normal posi tion This is very important because if you do not the machine will not run properly Chapter 4 Quiz 1 The correct way to start a pa...

Page 12: ... your feet on the footrests at all times When riding in a straight line remember to look well ahead where you want to go not at the controls or immediately in front of the ATV This will help you maintain a straight course Shifting Gears Because there are several types of ATV transmissions you must be certain you know how to shift the transmission of the ATV you are riding Always release the thrott...

Page 13: ...tice will help you respond to crooked trails or obstacles within your path Be sure to slow down before the turn Keep your eyes up looking through the turn at your intended path of travel Watch for terrain irregu larities so that you can slow down as necessary Sharper turns require more leaning in the direction of the turn If an error in judgement causes the ATV to start to tip toward the outside o...

Page 14: ... the brakes more gradually Keep your feet on the footrests Swerving You should be able to make emergency swerves to avoid unexpected hazards when riding Follow these guidelines to help prevent mishaps Keep your feet on the footrests Look in the direction of the swerve Shift weight to the inside of the turn DO NOT brake while swerving brake AFTER swerving and only after the ATV is travelling in a s...

Page 15: ...tial hazards in the lay of the land Consider the consequences of possible choices and respond with the correct manoeuvring skill Scan Keep eyes moving and search the terrain Check overall environment Watch several seconds ahead Avoid fixating on any one object Identify hazards Pick out specific problems Consider surface composition Other trail users and wildlife and stationary objects Evaluate Pre...

Page 16: ...require a completely different riding strategy Assume wet sand is unstable and could be quicksand Do not attempt a crossing unless you know it is a safe area Avoid riding on vegetation since it helps stabilise the dunes and may also hide an obstacle or hazard Be aware of slip face dunes which have a gradual incline on one side usually the windward side and nearly a straight drop off on the other s...

Page 17: ...s had been drinking Fourteen percent 14 of all reported accidents with injuries indicated alcohol consumption by the operator As you can see ALCOHOL AND ATVS DO NOT MIX Losing Control Alcohol sneaks up on you Unlike other beverages and foods alcohol does not have to be digested Within minutes it is absorbed into your bloodstream and passed to your brain It quickly causes a slowdown of your physica...

Page 18: ...e to ensure correct weight distribution Use only approved straps and harnesses to secure the ATV Ensure that all straps are in good condition and working order Make sure the ATV is secured at both the front and rear of the vehicle Secure straps to approved parts of the transport vehicle Make sure all other objects are secure to ensure that the ATV is not damaged by shifting loads Mount chain ropes...

Page 19: ...hout losing momen tum Hold handgrips firmly with knees and elbows slightly bent and body weight slightly back as the front wheels rise up and over the obstacle As rear wheels ride over the obstacle move your body weight forward to centre yourself on the ATV For two track obstacles Concentrate weight on footrests not on handlebars As the front wheels contact the obstacle apply a small amount of thr...

Page 20: ... and enough room to turn around safely Keep your weight uphill Make a U turn before you lose speed Proceed downhill in a lower gear keeping your weight to the uphill side If you are riding uphill and lose all forward momentum Keep your weight up hill and apply the brakes and come to a stop Never allow the ATV to roll backward Apply the parking brake while keeping your weight uphill Dismount on the...

Page 21: ... True False 2 No hill is too steep for an ATV True False 3 Use a high gear to go up and down hills True False 4 When descending a hill you should shift your weight to the rear True False 5 If a hill is bumpy with ruts you should stand on the footrests with your knees and arms slightly bent True False 6 Hills with slippery surfaces or loose terrain should be avoided True False 7 Making sudden throt...

Page 22: ...hould easily fit into a can or other small water proof container to store under the seat in a bum bag or backpack Just like the emergency food supply and tool kit this survival kit applies to all terrains from the woods to the desert Whenever you plan an extended ride or you are going farther than you can walk back in a reasonably short period of time you should carry at least the following in you...

Page 23: ...not experience from the highway or paved road Protect your right to enjoy nature by riding responsibly and protecting the environment at all times TREAD Lightly refers to an education and information program to reduce vehicle caused damage to wild lands Follow these guidelines to help safeguard the environment for the enjoyment of all by Travelling only where ATV s are permitted Respecting the rig...

Page 24: ... 4 You should always carry some first aid supplies True False 5 You should always remove the helmet of an injured rider True False 6 In an emergency panic is your best friend True False 7 Part of being a responsible rider is taking basic first aid training True False 8 TREAD Lightly means only riding small ATVs True False 9 A responsible ATV rider protects the environment at all times True False 1...

Page 25: ...___________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Government and Industry Accredited Training Stephen Gall s ATV Safety Institute provides national traini...

Page 26: ...AN ENGINE SIZE 70CC OR GREATER A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OLD SHOULD NEVER OPERATE AN ATV WITH AN ENGINE SIZE GREATER THAN 90CC NEVER ALLOW A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OLD TO OPERATE AN ATV WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION CHILDREN NEED TO BE OBSERVED CAREFULLY BECAUSE NOT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE STRENGTH SIZE SKILLS OR JUDGEMENT NEEDED TO OPERATE AN ATV SAFELY NEVER CARRY A PASSENGER ON AN ATV CARRYING A PASSEN GE...

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