McLane/Black Lake ~ West Thurston RFA

Public Safety personnel are involved in numerous ATV accidents every year due to lack of familiarization with equipment and disregard for safety practices. Public Safety personnel are involved in numerous ATV accidents every year due to lack of familiarization with equipment and disregard for safety practices.

Training Program Divided into 3 areas ATV’s/UTV’s vs. Passenger Vehicles –Handling Differences and Characteristics –Common Accident Causes Perception and Reaction in off-road situations –The four-step process –Off-road hazards and perception/reaction times –Calculating distance traveled in feet per second The Do’s and Don’ts of ATV/UTV Operations –Hands on training –Familiarity w/riding techniques –Safety checklist

ATV’s vs. Passenger Vehicles ATV created in Japan for transporting farmers and workers from steep mountainous and rural lands ATV’s become popular in US in 1970’s 1997 – 241 deaths and 54,700 ER visits 2002 – 357 deaths and 113,900 ER visits Danger comes from different handling characteristics due to differences in tire pressure, axle type, differential, etc. Similar errors to auto accidents in an ATV can lead to the individual being ejected.

Perception vs. Reaction A driver’s response to visual stimuli takes time. This is referred to as the perception/reaction time. This is actually a four step process. –1) Hazard detected in the visual field –2) Brain must process the information –3) This is followed by a decision of what to do. –4) Executing a decision such as to swerve or apply the brakes. 2.5 seconds is a minimum standard rule of thumb for perception/reaction time. This time is increased based upon the complexity of the situation. Off-road driving involves many hazards that potentially will extend reaction times. So what about reaction times?? –Distance due to speed, namely reduced speed, can be used to avoid an accident.

An ATV/UTV traveling at 25 mph is moving at feet per second! In using 3 seconds of reaction time and traveling at 25 mph on an ATV/UTV, you would travel 110 feet before making any responsive action! Add to this the distance necessary to stop an ATV/UTV traveling at 25 mph. Is about 42 feet, and you have traveled a total distance of 152 feet. There could certainly be plenty of hazardous trail in a 152-foot span. Reducing the ATV’s/UTV’s speed just 8 mph. To 17 mph decreases the total stopping distance to just 94 feet. The Slower the Speed, the better chance of avoiding a hazardous situation and providing better overall control of the ATV/UTV.

The Do’s and Don’ts of ATV/UTV Operation All personnel qualified to operate ATV’s/UTV at McLane/Black Lake MUST complete a hands-on training course. Inexperienced riders are 13 times more likely to be injured. Become fully familiar with the ATV/UTV that you will be operating. McLane/Black Lake operates two (2) Honda Rancher 450cc 4WD ATV’s and one (1) Polaris Ranger 6X6 UTV. Become familiar riding the ATV/UTV in a controlled environment. Always use the ATV/UTV safety checklist before heading out. –This includes full tank of fuel, oil level check, smooth throttle operation, brakes and all other moving parts, functioning lights and electrical system, checking tire pressure and insuring all tires are inflated equally. Always wear protective equipment to include helmet, gloves, boots, approved goggles, long shirt, and long pants. Keep goggles clean. Avoid riding ATV’s/UTV on paved public roads. ALWAYS maintain a safe speed! Look the direction that you are turning and maintain control.

Never ride double on an ATV unless tending to a patient and moving extremely slow. You should try to avoid a passenger. ATV/UTV operators should never ride alone. However, maintain a safe distance between the ATV’s and stay in contact with each other. Due to the ATV’s/UTVsize they are not as conspicuous as cars and trucks. When riding on roads, especially in Capitol Forest, always be scanning ahead and aware of blind corners. Watch out for other traffic, especially logging traffic! Polaris does not go on most trails! Keep your headlights on at all times! When carrying equipment on the ATV/UTV, ensure that the equipment is equally distributed on the front and rear racks to maintain stability. Do not overload the ATV/UTV. Personnel pulling the trailer should have familiarity with the trailer and pulling it behind the ATV. A Rescue situation is not the time to be learning how to ride the ATV/UTV or use the rescue trailer!!

ATV Trailer Use and Considerations Small trailers can be challenging to turn and maintain control of. When pulling the ATV trailer, reduce your speed! Ensure that the trailer is properly secured to the ATV and all moving components and pins on the trailer are secure and in place. Ensure that the stokes basket is properly secured to the trailer. If at all possible, use the trailer to transport equipment to the scene. Don’t forget the limitations of the trailer. Use the other ATV as the “scout” to determine accessibility of the trailer. Remember the trailer length can be adjusted. When loading a patient, ensure that they are properly lashed into the stokes basket and that the stokes basket is adequately secured to the trailer. Always load the stokes basket with the patients head to the rear of the trailer to keep them as far away from the ATV exhaust as possible. Always maintain an EMT with the patient during transport.

Specifics ATV’s/UTV should be in a ready-to-respond mode at all times. ATV’s and the trailer should be thoroughly checked on Saturday’s. Use appropriate check-off. Prior to using ATV’s, complete safety check-off list found on clipboard in transport trailer. Only individual’s with experience pulling a trailer should be driving the Utility and transport trailer. The most experienced riders should be assigned to the ATV’s. Ensure that all appropriate EMS/Rescue equipment is loaded for the call. After an incident the ATV’s, rescue trailer, transport trailer, utility, and equipment MUST be inventoried and washed! ALWAYS report ANY accident or damage to the duty officer immediately and right the incident up on an “unusual incident” form.

ORV Park Operations (UTV) Polaris Ranger will be stored at the ORV park with EMS equipment. Use portable radio off aid unit. An equipment check-off sheet must be filled out prior to each ORV event on the Polaris and it’s equipment! Only personnel that have completed ORV and UTV training are authorized to work events at the ORV park. Designator for the UTV is ORV 93.

Closing ATV’s/UTV are very useful tools for our use, but they are not toys and need to be operated with the upmost safety. ATV’s/UTV have specific limitations. Don’t try to exceed those limitations. Know the machines limitations, maintain a safe speed, always wear your protective equipment, and continuously monitor changes in the situation.

MBLFD Radio Designators CapCom Radio designator’s for the ATV’s and UTV are as follows and must be used: –ATV’s (Honda Ranchers) – ORV 95 –UTV (Polaris 6x6) – ORV 93