REGINA – Snowmobilers are anxiously awaiting for snow to get on the trails, but in the meantime STARS Air Ambulance is reminding riders to be safe.
“I honestly don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for STARS,” said Kyle Cooper, an avid snowmobiler who was rescued by STARS in an accident in 2014.
On March 22, 2014 Cooper was driving his buddy’s snowmobile down some ice, while speeding he hit a snow drift and lost control of the sled.
Cooper says his memory is faint and has experienced brain injuries from the accident.
Since 2013, STARS has responded to 46 snowmobile related emergencies.
The air ambulance service says riders should always watch their speed and be properly equipped when heading out.
“There’s ton of good equipment out there now including helmets, there’s chest and shoulder protectors. And once again in these remote area(s), just know where you are and have GPS coordinates or if you have a handheld GPS in any event that something does happen and you need us in a hurry, we can get to you,” added Jason Prokopetz, a flight paramedic with STARS.
Also on hand was the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (Sask Snow), who reiterated the safety messages and also advised riders to remember to do safety checks of their vehicles.
Sask Snow also says anyone born after January 1, 1989 must legally take a snowmobile course.
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