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PEDIATRICS Vol. 106 No. 5 November 2000, pp. 1142-1144
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:
Snowmobiling Hazards
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Snowmobiles continue to pose a significant risk to children younger than 15 years and adolescents and young adults 15 through 24 years of age. Head injuries remain the leading cause of mortality and serious morbidity, arising largely from snowmobilers colliding, falling, or overturning during operation. Children also were injured while being towed in a variety of conveyances by snowmobiles. No uniform code of state laws governs the use of snowmobiles by children and youth. Because evidence is lacking to support the effectiveness of operator safety certification and because many children and adolescents do not have the required strength and skills to operate a snowmobile safely, the recreational operation of snowmobiles by persons younger than 16 years is not recommended. Snowmobiles should not be used to tow persons on a tube, tire, sled, or saucer. Furthermore, a graduated licensing program is advised for snowmobilers 16 years and older. Both active and passive snowmobile injury prevention strategies are suggested, as well as recommendations for manufacturers to make safer equipment for snowmobilers of all ages.
The popularity of snowmobiles in the snowbelt has
increased1-3 along with their size and speed. The
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the US
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that there has been
no decline in snowmobile injuries during the past 10 years. The average
annual number of snowmobile injuries treated in emergency departments
in 1997 and 1998 was more than 10 000. Of these injuries, 10%
occurred in children younger than 15 years, and another 25% occurred
in adolescents and young adults 15 through 24 years of age. Between
January 1992 and December 1997, the Death Certificate Data Files of the
CPSC recorded 51 deaths in children younger than 16 years that were directly attributable to snowmobiles. This number is almost certainly an undercount. The CPSC does not routinely acquire death certificates involving collisions with licensed motor vehicles.
For both the number of reported deaths and injuries, males were 3 times
more likely than females to be the victims. Head injuries were the
leading cause of injury and death.3-5 Most deaths and
serious injuries occurred as a result of the operators striking fixed
objects, such as a tree, cable or wire, or another
vehicle.3 Children younger than 16 years were injured or
killed when they fell from their snowmobiles, had the vehicle roll over
them, or crashed the snowmobile into other snowmobiles, vehicles, or
stationary objects (D. Tinsworth, written communication, January 21, 2000). Near-drowning events in children younger than 16 years were
infrequent, and only 1 child drowned after encountering thin ice, in
contrast to the prominence of drowning as a cause of death for older
teenagers and adults.4,5 Frostbite and hypothermia,
recognized hazards,6,7 were reported infrequently. Other
injuries occurred during loading and unloading the snowmobile and when
the body of the operator struck different parts of the snowmobile
during sudden stops. Burns associated with refueling also have been
documented.
More than 50 children in the NEISS sample were injured while being
towed when their sled, tube, tire, or saucer overturned, struck an
object, or was hit by another vehicle. In general, children younger
than 8 years who were injured or killed from incidents involving
snowmobiles tended to be passengers on snowmobiles or sleds.
Other problems associated with snowmobile operation that were reported
in the literature include hearing loss from prolonged exposure to
excess engine noise8 and white finger syndrome arising
from the effects of cold weather and hand/arm vibration from the
handlebars of the snowmobiles.9 Common factors identified
in other studies and contributing to snowmobile incidents include
operator error, speeding, traveling on inappropriate terrain, nighttime
operation, and alcohol use.1,5,10-12
Most, but not all, states require that off-road vehicles be registered.
Many states require a valid driver's license to operate a snowmobile
on public lands or, where permitted, on roads. Some states mandate that
children and youth be directly supervised or accompanied by an adult on
the snowmobile or have successfully completed an approved snowmobile
safety course. Such certification not only allows for children as young
as 8 years to ride alone in some states but also permits certificate
holders who are 14 years and older to serve as substitutes for adults
to supervise inexperienced and noncertified child operators. In some
states, there are no age restrictions. A few states have made helmets mandatory for operators younger than 16 years. Snowmobiling on private
property is exempt from restrictions.3
Evidence is lacking that operator safety certification courses
adequately educate children and youth to operate snowmobiles safely.
The influence of sanctioned courses on snowmobile-related injuries to
individuals younger than 16 years has not been assessed. In
jurisdictions where this option is available, scientifically rigorous
evaluations should be performed.
Previous American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
recommendations13 have been updated.
Recommendations for children younger than 16 years include the
following:
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Abstract
Recommendation
References
Recommendations for the protection of snowmobilers 16 years and older include the following:
- Graduated licensing for snowmobile operators is recommended, consistent with the AAP policy on graduated licensing for motor vehicle drivers.14 Although no direct evidence exists for the effectiveness of graduated licensing on teenage motor vehicle operators of snowmobiles, graduated licensing has been shown to be effective in reducing motor vehicle-related deaths among teenagers. Newly licensed operators should be restricted to snowmobiling during daylight hours on groomed trails only, with zero tolerance for alcohol consumption. To operate a snowmobile safely, persons should acquire a learner's permit by taking a state-sanctioned course.
- Snowmobilers should travel at safe speeds, especially on unfamiliar or rugged terrain where hazards, such as difficult-to-see barbed wire, may be encountered. A speed-limiting governor, to limit the maximum speed, is suggested for newly licensed operators.
- Irrespective of age, snowmobilers should avoid the use alcohol or other drugs before or during the operation of a snowmobile. Adults should reinforce this message by setting a good example.
- Snowmobilers should wear well-insulated protective clothing, including goggles and waterproof snowmobile suits, gloves, and rubber-bottomed boots. All drivers and passengers should wear helmets approved by Snell or another standards organization for use while operating motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and snowmobiles. Operators should carry a first aid kit, a survival kit that includes flares, and if practical, a cellular phone. Snowmobilers should travel in groups of 2 or more and only on designated, marked trails away from roads, waterways, railroads, and pedestrian traffic. The weather forecast should be checked before snowmobiling. Operators should know the signs of hypothermia and regularly check for frostbite.
- Snowmobilers should avoid snowmobiling on ice if they are uncertain about its thickness or condition. The condition of the trails also should be determined, and where appropriate, avalanche danger should be ascertained.
- Snowmobilers should not carry more than 1 passenger. Headlights and taillights should be on at all times to improve the visibility of the snowmobile to other vehicle operators.
- Use of a saucer, tube, tire, sled, or skis to pull someone behind a snowmobile is not recommended. If the need should arise to tow a person, the risk of injury is reduced by using a sled or cutter attached to the snowmobile by a rigid bar connection. The driver should travel at a slow speed over level terrain away from trees, rocks, and other vehicles, and a spotter should be used to watch the individual(s) being towed.
- Snowmobiles must be well-maintained. Appropriate precautions should be taken by persons when fueling snowmobiles to avoid burns and when loading snowmobiles on and off trailers to prevent strains and crush injuries.
Recommendations for manufacturers include the following:
- Snowmobile manufacturers should incorporate mechanical enhancements such as seating and handlebar design to improve rider comfort and safety, as well as to reduce hand-arm vibration to minimize white finger syndrome and numbness. Manufacturers should also attenuate sound levels generated by snowmobiles, improve headlight luminance, and add a Global Positioning System device (overhead satellites provide exact current latitudes and longitudes) to all snowmobiles. Manufacturers are urged to improve snowmobile braking, steering, and stability. Emission standards for snowmobiles should be improved.
- Helmet designs need to be improved to minimize visor fogging and improve hearing protection. Safety standards for snowmobile helmets should be developed, and snowmobile helmets should be formally certified. Helmet manufacturers should consider adding features, such as built-in radio channels for communication and weather monitoring.
Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention, 2000-2001
Marilyn J. Bull, MD, Chairperson
Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH
H. Garry Gardner, MD
Danielle Laraque, MD
Susan H. Pollack, MD
Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH
Howard R. Spivak, MD
Milton Tenenbein, MD
Liaisons
Ruth A. Brenner, MD, MPH
National Institute of Child Health and
Human
Development
Stephanie Bryn, MPH
Health Resources and Service Administration/Maternal and
Child Health Bureau
Cheryl Neverman, MS
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Richard A. Schieber, MD, MPH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Richard Stanwick, MD, MSc
Canadian Paediatric Society
Deborah Tinsworth
US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Section Liaisons
Victor Garcia, MD
Section on Surgery
Robert R. Tanz, MD
Section on Injury and Poison Prevention
Consultants
Murray L. Katcher, MD, PhD
Susan B. Tully, MD
Staff
Heather Newland
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FOOTNOTES |
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The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.
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ABBREVIATIONS |
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NEISS, National Electronic Injury Surveillance System; CPSC, US Consumer Product Safety Commission; AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics.
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REFERENCES |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Injuries associated with use of snowmobiles
New Hampshire, 1989-92.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
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Injuries and deaths associated with use of snowmobilesMaine, 1991-96.
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Rice MR,
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Kenney B
Snowmobile injuries and deaths in children: a review of national injury data and state legislation.
Pediatrics.
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Hedberg K,
Gunderson PD,
Vargas C,
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Drownings in Minnesota, 1980-85: a population-based study.
Am J Public Health.
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[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Rowe B, Milner R, Johnson C, Bota G Snowmobile-related deaths in Ontario: a 5-year review. Can Med Assoc J. 1992; 146:147-152 [Abstract]
- Virokannas H, Anttonen H Thermal responses in the body during snowmobile driving. Arctic Med Res. 1994; 53:12-18
- Nissen ER, Melchert PJ, Lewis EJ A case of bullous frostbite following recreational snowmobiling. Cutis. 1999; 63:21-23 [Medline]
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Bess FH,
Poynor RE
Snowmobile engine noise and hearing.
Arch Otolaryngol.
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95:164-168
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Anttonen H, Virokannas H Hand-arm vibration in snowmobile drivers . Arctic Med Res. 1994; 53:19-23
- Reid DC, Saboe L Spine fractures in winter sports. Sports Med. 1989; 7:393-399 [Medline]
- James EC, Lenz JO, Swenson WM, Cooley AM, Gomez YL, Antonenko DR Snowmobile trauma: an 11-year experience. Am Surg. 1991; 57:349-353 [Medline]
- Rowe B, Milner R, Johnson C, Bota G The association of alcohol and night driving with fatal snowmobile trauma: a case-control study. Ann Emerg Med. 1994; 24:842-848 [Medline]
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American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention
Snowmobile statement.
Pediatrics.
1988;
82:798-799
[Abstract/Free Full Text] -
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention and Committee on Adolescence
The teenage driver.
Pediatrics.
1996;
98:987-990
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Pediatrics (ISSN 0031 4005). Copyright ©2000 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
Statements of reaffirmation:
- AAP Publications Retired and Reaffirmed
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatrics 2004 114: 1126.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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AAP Publications Reaffirmed, January 2007
Pediatrics 2007 119: 1031.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
The following policy statement has been revised:
- Snowmobile Statement
- Committee on Accident and Poison Prevention
Pediatrics 1988 82: 798-799.[Abstract] [PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:
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  A. Nayci, P. L. Stavlo, A. E. Zarroug, S. P. Zietlow, C. R. Moir, and D. A. Rodeberg Snowmobile Injuries in Children and Adolescents Mayo Clin. Proc., January 1, 2006; 81(1): 39 - 44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 S. L. Bratton Effectiveness of Helmets in Skiers and Snowboarders AAP Grand Rounds, March 1, 2005; 13(3): 30 - 31. [Full Text] [PDF]
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