16
!
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Prevention
Overview
When using an ATV, prevention is the name of the game. “Had you only
known” something could go wrong, you would have prevented it. If you
don’t notice your conditions and surroundings before riding your ATV, you
give up control over the situation. Using ATV prevention techniques helps
you forecast potential hazards before they injure you or damage your ATV.
Following the safety instructions and warnings in this manual will help
you “P.A.S.S.” the safety test. P.A.S.S. stands for “
P
revention,” “
A
ctive
Riding,” “
S
ound Judgment,” and “
S
upervision.” Remembering P.A.S.S.
and what it stands for will help you have a safe, predictable ride every
time you go out on your ATV.
You’ll find it important to dress correctly for ATV
riding in order to prevent scraped skin and serious
head injuries. It’s easy and could save you time in
the long run not having to contend with an injury.
This is the minimum protection you need to wear
during every ride:
1. Helmet
2. Eye Protection
3. Long Pants
4. Long Sleeved Shirt
5. Gloves
6. Boots/Ankle Protection
Of course, it also makes sense to remember the seasons. Wear a hat
under your helmet and a snowmobile suit in the winter and lighter, pro-
tective clothing in the summer.
Helmet
There are several types of helmets on the
market, but make sure you wear a helmet
that complies with the current standards
of the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT), The Snell Memorial Foundation,
or the American National Standards Insti-
tute (ANSI). Helmets that comply with
one or more of these agency’s standards
have a sticker on the inside or outside of
the helmet.
These helmets should pro-
vide full-face protection.
If you drop or damage your
helmet, get a new one
immediately. Your helmet
may not protect your head
from injury if it has cracks,
fissures, or other damage to
its outside or core padding.
Remember, your helmet
won’t do you any good if
the chin strap isn’t fas-
tened.
Clothing and Gear
ATV-0004
Helmets should have
one of these:
1. DOT label
2. Snell label
3. ANSI Z90.1 label
TESTIMONIAL
DOCUMENT#: N490117A1
CITY/STATE: N. HUNTINGDON, PA
SEX: M
AGE: 6
BODY PART: HEAD
DATE ACCIDENT: 06-14-94
DISPOSITION: DOA
SYNOPSIS: The 6 year old male victim
died from blunt force trauma to the
head when the 4-wheel ATV on which he
was a passenger struck a rock on a
hill connecting two roads and
flipped over backwards onto the
victim, shattering his bicycle
helmet. The victim was life-flighted
to the hospital and died that night.
The driver of the ATV, the victim’s
29 year old father, sustained minor
injuries, but wasn’t treated.
