|
By CJ Rena Johnson
ASI Safety Training:
Avoiding Tragedy and Possibly Even Death, One
Class at a Time
Always take time to explain things in a
way they will understand and make sure
they do by asking them to explain it
back to you.
Learning the proper way to go down a
steep slope. |
The same day my Trailblazers Kids Club story
came out in this magazine, a little 7 year-old
boy was killed on an ATV a few miles down the
road from where I live.
I was enthusiastic about doing this story and
getting this information out before then, but
that horrible tragedy just reinforced within me
the urgency of this message and the direct need
for more ATV safety and awareness nationwide,
especially where children are involved.
Children do not understand the often-severe
consequences that are possible with any sport,
especially a motorized sport of any form, and
they definitely are not aware of how to prevent
it. Even if they were aware of it, would they
have the maturity and comprehension to insist on
safety training before they do something as fun
as climbing on their own or their friend’s new
ATV and taking off across the yard and possibly
the street? Not any of the children I know, and
I wasn’t when I first started riding. Therefore,
it is the adults’ responsibility to make sure
their children (and any other kids riding their
ATVs) are prepared BEFORE they are allowed to
climb on and hit the gas! How can they do this?
Being prepared themselves is the best way.
The thing about ASI safety training is that more
often than not, it is FREE for the participant!
Most ATV manufacturers offer a certificate when
you purchase your new ATV for free ATV Safety
training!
This training is available all
across the nation and is accessible with very
little planning. So if something this simple,
inexpensive, and FUN can save a life, what is to
prevent anyone from taking it?
Quite often,
it is a lack of awareness, or over-confidence,
or just irresponsibility, or procrastination on
the part of the responsible adult. Yes,
accidents do happen and there is no guarantee
even after taking the course that tragedy will
not strike, but if there is something you can do
to prevent it, is it not worth whatever effort
it takes to try?
How can you access this
safety training? The simplest way is to go to
www.atvsafety.org. There you will
find everything you need to know about the ATV
Safety Institute and the rider safety program.
That site also offers safety tips for everyone
young and older and has fun things such as
quizzes to test your current knowledge of ATV
safety. You can also call 1-800-887-2887 to find
the ATV Rider course nearest you.
What will
take place during this training? There are many
points of interest covered in each course and
they will vary slightly depending on the
instructor and the type of class you take.
However, almost all of them will cover the
following subjects.
- Controlling your ATV
- Going Uphill and Downhill
- Traversing Hillsides and Slopes when you can’t
go straight up or down them
- Correct Riding Posture & maintaining center of
gravity
- Turning in different situations
- Getting over obstacles
The instructors will
usually go over safety gear as well and touch on
such subjects as what to do if there is an
accident and sometimes even how to operate
different kinds of ATVs in an emergency
situation.
Page 1
2
|
