ATV Safety PowerPoint Notes Slide 2.
Megan was riding a four wheeler with her fiancé on their way back from a bonfire with a friend on a four wheeler behind them. When Megan’s four wheeler made a quick turn onto a trail a front tire of the ATV behind them hit the back of their ATV projecting Megan and her fiancé. She suffered an incomplete spinal injury (paraplegic) with some potential return. Megan was incredibly lucky to have survived this accident and make such progress. She is about to WALK down the aisle for her wedding. Key: Do not carry passengers The Walk Down The Aisle Institute. UPMC, Film. <http://www.upmc.com/Services/rehab/rehab‐
institute/patient‐stories/Pages/default.asp&xgt;. Slide 3.
Weatherford, OK High school track athlete had an ATV wreck and has severe spinal injuries She amazingly has managed to walk again (with aids) and is determined to improve further. Not only is she lucky, she is also strong‐minded. Key: Severe spinal injury Sit, Jacqueline. "Weatherford Athlete Making Miraculous Recovery After ATV Accident." Oklahoma's Own. (2010): n. page. Web. 26 Jun. 2012. <http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12893030 These are pictures of before and after the crash. Slide 4.
3 years old The family was avid ATV riders. His dad was driving the four wheeler with Murphy sitting in front of him. They were camping and went down the road to look for fish in the river and slid on some gravel. The four wheeler flipped as Murphy and his father were thrown from it. The 700lb four wheeler landed on 37lb Murphy causing him to die of blunt force head trauma. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Key: Size the ATV to the rider, wear a helmet, no passengers http://atvsafetynet.org/stories_nichols.html Slide 5.
6 years old “Patton came home from school on Friday and asked to ride his four‐wheeler before it got dark, according to DeKalb County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Unit Commander Wade Hill. Hill said Jay Patton was riding a small four‐wheeler designed for children, in a flat, grassy, area near a barn, where he had often ridden before. Patton was wearing a helmet and other safety gear, and his mother and other adults were standing nearby, supervising the boy's activities when the accident happened, Hill said. According to Hill, it appears Patton rounded a curve a bit too quickly, causing the four‐wheeler to flip over. He said Patton landed awkwardly. The accident happened around 4:30 p.m. Patton was taken by ambulance to DeKalb Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.” This young man was not as lucky as the previous cases. Unfortunately, he is among thousands of others who have shared such luck. ATVs are fabulous working tools as well as recreational vehicles, but they must be ridden with caution and care. Even the smallest of poor driving decisions or oversights can have detrimental effects. Key: Just because a rider wears the correct gear, is supervised, rides on easy terrain, and is on a correctly sized ATV does not mean they are safe. The operator still have to DRIVE safely. Slide 6.
Almost 11 years old He and his friend were riding ATV’s and went to the friend’s house for milk and cookies. They decided to go to Kyle’s house for supper and his friend left before him as he took extra time to put his gear on. He was wearing boots, gloves, several layers of clothing, and a helmet. Kyle took a shortcut to catch up to his friend down a little slope and hit something in the ground that turned the ATV to the left sharply. Kyle was thrown downhill and the ATV landed on its side Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education with the rear utility rack in the small of his back. He was pinned and unconscious but not seriously hurt. He could not breathe with the ATV on his back and by the time his friend and dad got to him (15 minutes after the accident) even CPR could not save him. It was too late. The website has the full story written by his father and it is a good idea to read it before presenting. It will change how you present it. Key: Size the ATV to the rider http://atvsafetynet.org/stories_rabe.html Slide 7.
These are pictures of before and after the crash. Durant, OK Seventeen year old Wesley Troxtell was out riding four wheelers with his dad. After his ride was almost complete, he popped a wheelie and was t‐boned. His four wheeler flipped four times. He broke his arm and suffered a traumatic head injury; the doctors did not expect him to have a good recovery. He was in a coma for almost a month and projected to not be able to walk or talk. Surprisingly he not only lived through this accident but is now walking, talking, and has almost made a full recovery. Key: wear a helmet Slide 8.
He was 13 years old and at a friend’s grandparents’ home riding ATVs without a helmet and flipped it over. He broke his leg and had a traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma for six months. He was not supposed to recover. After he came out of the coma, his eyes were open yet he was unresponsive and did not speak for 6 months. He had to learn to swallow, stand, open his mouth, and grasp things again. He “wasn’t driving fast or crazy or anything [he] just hit some sandy roads and [he] lost control and [he] flipped” according to Aaron. Key: wear a helmet 10 minute impactful video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tbA6towbdI Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 9.
Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf Slide 10.
Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf>. Slide 11.
Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf>. Slide 12.
Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf>. Slide 13.
United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). 2008. Web. <http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/2008/brainInjuries/>. Slide 14.
ATV‐Related Hospital Department‐Treated Injury Estimates Spiked in 2004 for ages 16 and younger Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Spiked in 2007 for ages 16‐24 All ages declining except 55+ but that is a minimal change Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf>. Slide 15.
ATV‐Related Hospital Department‐Treated Injury Estimates Most 0‐24 years old Number of young people decreasing into 2010 training? Safety awareness? 2010: 116,000 Garland, Sarah. United States. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2010 Annual Report of ATV‐Related Deaths and Injuries. Bethesda: , 2011. Web. <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/atv2010.pdf>. Slide 16.
ATVs are made to operate off road making them perfect agriculture tools, recreational enjoyment, and working machines. Slide 17.
These machines can turn sharply in comparison to alternative utility vehicles (side by sides, tractors, trucks) that they can complete jobs more efficiently. Slide 18.
One reason they are handy; one reason they are dangerous. Being able to operate at high speeds makes them exceptional for herding cattle or doing other jobs that require speed. However, they must be used properly to be safe. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 19.
Their compact style makes them able to turn sharper and fit into tighter spaces or more narrow paths than most vehicles. Slide 20.
Their utility racks make transporting objects convenient and easy. Slide 21.
Their towing capacities vary by the specific ATV but some are able to tow trailers, sprayers, etc. Slide 22.
Vehicles in general are dangerous. United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Table 1103. Motor Vehicle Accidents—Number and Deaths: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. United States. U.S. Census Bureau,. Table 1104. Traffic Fatalities by State: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. Slide 23.
Road vehicles were responsible for over 33,000 deaths in 2009. United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Table 1103. Motor Vehicle Accidents—Number and Deaths: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education United States. U.S. Census Bureau,. Table 1104. Traffic Fatalities by State: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. Slide 24.
Of the 10.8 million accidents in 2009, only 649 were from ATVs. They are definitely a safety concern, but any machine comes with inherit dangers. Like any machine/vehicle they CAN be dangerous, but they ARE useful, fun, and convenient. The two biggest issues I have seen is not using the correct size ATV, not wearing a helmet, and not knowing and/or watching the terrain. “Nearly 90 percent of ATV‐related injuries suffered by children under age 16 were caused by adult‐sized ATVs (ATVs that are 90cc or larger). ” Harshman, William C., and Dennis Murhpy. "ATVs and Youth: Matching Children and Vehicles ." Pennsylvania State University (2005): n.pag. National Ag Safety Database. Web. 29 Jun 2012. <http://nasdonline.org/document/1897/d001829/atvs‐and‐youth‐matching‐children‐and‐
vehicles.html>. United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Table 1103. Motor Vehicle Accidents—Number and Deaths: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. United States. U.S. Census Bureau,. Table 1104. Traffic Fatalities by State: 1990 to 2009. 2012. Web. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/transportation/motor_vehicle_accidents_and
_fatalities.html>. Slide 25.
Let’s look at how to be safe and decrease the statistic numbers. ATVs are great tools and provide recreational enjoyment, so use them cautiously and correctly to receive their benefits without reaping negative consequences. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 33.
ATVs flip easy by design, so make sure you ride carefully. Know how to shift your weight and control your speed. When on uneven terrain, decrease your speed significantly and be aware of holes, ruts, ditches, and other hazards. ATVs are designed for all four wheels to be on the ground at once, the rider to shift their weight, and to be operated at a low speed. Compromising any of these will significantly increase the chance of having an accident. Slide 34.
ATVs are DESIGNED for ONE person only. The long seat is so the driver can appropriately shift their weight to prevent the machine from flipping. Adding passengers unbalances the ATV making it much easier to lose control or turn over. In most accidents involving multiple riders, the passengers are the ones seriously injured or killed, not the operator. Never carry passengers. Unbalanced weight can occur from the addition of objects as well. If you attach a 70lb sprayer to the back rack, suddenly the back portion of the ATV is much heavier than the front. Placing a second object on the front to “balance” the weight is not always a good fix as it compromises the natural balance again. Slide 35.
The average weight of an ATV is around 400lbs, but they can weigh up to 800lbs. ATVs are heavy pieces of equipment. If they land on a person, they will crush whatever or whoever is below them. This includes arms, legs, feet, faces, or a whole body. If a limb (i.e. leg, arm) is severely crushed it might have to be amputated. Slide 36.
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50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Slide 37.
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50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Slide 38.
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50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Slide 39.
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50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 40.
Matching the size of the ATV to the rider is vital. The rider should be able to move their position on the seat and still be able to comfortably reach all controls as well as turn the handlebars completely to both sides. Not only will accurate sizing help the rider remain in control, it also will match up weights. A nine year old weighing 80 pounds being in an accident on a 600lb adult sized ATV does not have good odds. This is one of the reasons manufacturers produce smaller ATVs for children. “Nearly 90 percent of ATV‐related injuries suffered by children under age 16 were caused by adult‐sized ATVs (ATVs that are 90cc or larger). ” Harshman, William C., and Dennis Murhpy. "ATVs and Youth: Matching Children and Vehicles ." Pennsylvania State University (2005): n.pag. National Ag Safety Database. Web. 29 Jun 2012. <http://nasdonline.org/document/1897/d001829/atvs‐and‐youth‐matching‐children‐and‐
vehicles.html>. Slide 41.
•
50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Slide 42.
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50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 43.
•
50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) Slide 44.
•
50cc $2,000 Polaris Outlaw •
90cc $2,700 Polaris Outlaw •
500cc $6,200 Polaris Sportsman •
850cc $8,800 (STARTING PRICE) Polaris Sportsman XP The weights are dry weight (the machine without any liquid, oil, gas, etc in it) A family could purchase a 500cc ATV for adults and a 50cc ATV for children for about the same cost as an 850cc ATV. Slide 45.
Not only are people saving on initial cost by buying a youth ATV, but they will save in the long run as well. If an incident were to occur, the average cost of sending a child to the hospital for ATV injuries is $20,000. Save money and save lives! "Facts About ATVs vs. Bikes ." Concerned Families for ATV Safety. N.p., 2007. Web. 2 Aug
2012. <http://www.atvsafetynet.org/parents.php?page=compare>. Slide 46.
"ATV Accidents Cost $3.24 Billion Annually." University of Utah Health Care. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug 2012. <http://healthcare.utah.edu/neurosciences/news/pressreleases/ATV.html>. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 47.
Wear protective gear when riding ATVs. Slide 48.
Head injuries are very common with ATVs. Many cases where the rider was not wearing a helmet ends in a fatality, others end in permanent brain damage. Almost all accidents where the person was wearing a helmet (correctly) did not result in death. Always wear a DOT approved helmet. Slide 49.
Goggles will help keep debris out of your eyes for a more comfortable and safe ride. Debris examples: Dirt Bugs Wood particles Sand Water Slide 50.
Long sleeves protect arms from branches, briars, limbs, and bugs. Also, if you do fall off it will help prevent against friction burns, cuts, and scrapes. Slide 51.
Gloves protect hands from burns, scrapes, blisters and cuts. Blisters can occur from the handlebars; cuts and scrapes are common when riding in wooded areas. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 52.
Pants will protect the rider’s legs from briars, trees, bugs, and burns from the four wheeler. Slide 53.
Boots should come over the rider’s ankle to ensure maximum protection. They provide grip while shifting weight, protection while using a foot shift or brake, protect against the environment (i.e. limbs, briars) as well as protection in an accident. They provide stability to help prevent broken bones, cuts, crushing, etc. Slide 54.
Even experienced riders can benefit from a safety training course as there are always new things to learn. Slide 55.
Learn the owner's manual to ensure you can properly operate your ATV. Some important aspects: Know the differences in the brakes (i.e. which levers control the front brakes and which control the back brakes). Understand how your ATV shifts gears and how to react if it malfunctions. Know where and how to check the oil. Know where the sparkplug is located and how to know when it needs to be replaced. Also know its purpose. Slide 56.
Take a hands‐on riding course where an instructor can verify that you can properly operate an ATV Key components: Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Starting engine Killing engine Braking Using throttle Shifting gears Reversing Shifting weight appropriately when turning Shifting weight appropriately when on an incline/decline Slide 57.
It is easy to get distracted by so many things when riding, but the operator must watch the terrain and think about where their tires are about to go. Slide 58.
ATV tires are not made for paved roads. The tread is too deep for them (the tires can grip/stick) and the driver can lose control easily; many accidents occur this way. Slide 59.
On dirt trails ATV tires can grip appropriately making them much safer. Slide 60.
Pastures can pose as very dangerous riding areas. Due to so many animals being on pastures, the ground can be very uneven with forages hiding bumps, holes, sticks, etc. it is important to be on alert when riding in a pasture for hidden obstructions. Also, when moving livestock via ATV be sure to not just focus on the animals but be aware of where you and the ATV tires are going. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Slide 61.
If there is a log in the trail, do not try to cross it. Instead move it or find an alternate route. Being smart about how you ride the terrain is key. You are not glued to the seat; do not be afraid to get off and move objects from your path. It only takes a few seconds (and can save your life). Slide 62.
Complete an easy maintenance check before every ride to make sure your ATV is as ready for the ride as you are. Slide 63.
Every ride the ATV operator should check the tires to make sure they are not balding, worn more on one side than the other, aired up, and do not have any damage. Slide 64.
Every ride the operator needs to check the gas level to ensure they will not run out once they are on a trail. Rides intended to be brief can spontaneously be extended, and gauges can be incorrect. Slide 65.
The lights are important to check as well. Again, sometimes rides that are intended to be brief are extended. In case the rider has to use the ATV at night, checking the lights every ride is important. If on vacation, riders could forget about time zone differences, or the area may react differently (i.e. getting dark quickly in the mountains). Slide 66.
Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education Brakes are a key aspect to successfully and safely riding an ATV whether on flat land or rough terrain. Every ride the operator should check all brakes (front and back) to make sure they are in working order. Also, the rider needs to know AND understand the differences in the brakes. There are front and rear brakes that are controlled separately. There is sometimes a foot brake on the right hand side as well that can control the rear or all brakes. Some ATVs have a clutch on the left instead of brakes. This is important because using the correct/wrong set of brakes can prevent/cause an overturn. Slide 67.
Protect your child. Slide 68.
Parents or adults should always supervise children when they are on or around ATVs. Children should be educated about how to operate the ATV properly, wear appropriate gear, read the terrain, and use good judgment on the trail. Some child ATVs have governors that can be adjusted to control maximum speeds or remote controls that the parents can have to kill the engine from a distance. Just because the rider is doing everything correctly does not mean an accident cannot happen. Knowing the riders location at all times is important in case they need medical assistance. Slide 69.
These are all choices, but the choices you make during each ride could determine what choices you face later. Ashton Williams, Agricultural Safety Intern Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention & Education