2015-10-07 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 Check Out The Hllll -Sled Safe r Characteristics of Common Sled Equipment • Plastic mats are very popular because they are inexpensive and easy to transport. However,they are not easily controlled unless ridden in a dan- gerous face-down position,and,being plastic,they ' are capable of high speeds. Together,these factors o C= make the mat a dangerous piece of equipment. If i used,the mats should be restricted to low short hills —i.e.,beginner slopes. • Plastic disks are controlled by dragging the hands and feet. As a disk slides downhill,it rotates until the rider is descending backward,or rotates through a number of revolutions and ends with the rider travelling backward in the run-out area. The disorienting rotation,inability to see oncoming hazards, potentially high speeds(due to the plastic mate- rial)and the need to steer by dragging a foot or hand makes this a more hazardous piece of CZ) equipment. If used,the disks should be restrict- ed to low,short hills or beginner slopes with supervision. • Inflated inner tubes are controllable by hand and foot dragging if the snow surface can be reached when seated. (Some inner tubes are so large that the snow surface cannot be reached.) They require a fairly steep take- off slope to start moving;otherwise a running jump-on start is needed. Tubes exaggerate the bounce of any bump or dip in the sledding track. Tubes are often overloaded,carrying too many riders in unsafe positions. If ! tubes are used at all,they should be ! small,capable of carrying only one rider in a seated position,and should be used on a very smooth sledding track. Tube use should be restricted to older children and adults with good sliding skills. No lubrication of tube surfaces should be allowed. • Plastic tub sleds,wood toboggans and ski bikes represent the most desirable sledding equipment characteristics,meeting most of the equip- ment selection criteria listed on page 6. i A Community Resource Guide Page 7