ATVPT

Patrick Saunders, Pres., ATV Product Tests

 

 2006 Kids ATV Safety Camp a Rousing Success!

 

 

 

            ATVPT was proud to sponsor its first ever Kids ATV Safety Camp on June 24^th, an event so successful that plans for next year’s camp are already underway.

            After a brief video introduction to ATV riding as a family activity, students started out exploring the basics of appropriate gear.  A special focus was put on the importance of dressing properly every time an ATV is ridden.  ATVPT Director Patrick Saunders showed students examples of various kinds of helmets, eye protection, pants, shirts, gloves, boots, jackets, roosts, and other body protection and gave them information about where to find appropriate gear.

            The morning quickly moved on to an introduction to basic field first aid by Patti Marston, a Red Cross first aid/CPR instructor trainer.  Topics included using a splint in the event of a sprain or possible break, applying bandages to cuts and abrasions, and the importance of not removing a helmet from a person who has a possible head injury.  She emphasized how to call for help and that information about any injury should be reported to an adult as soon as possible.

            Saunders continued by sharing methods for conducting pre-ride inspections, troubleshooting, and ATV controls.

            At last, kids were ready to move on to riding.  After instruction on using the throttle, shift lever, and clutch to move in a straight line, they learned how to make quick stops and swerves to avoid hazards when riding. 

            Once participants had proven themselves at those basic skills, they moved on to turning at various speeds, shifting body weight to maintain balance, and how to make tight turns by coordinating braking, weight shift, and throttle control.  This segment included several completions of a slalom course, a favorite event for most of the riders.

            Next came maneuvering the ATVs over obstacles that can’t be avoided.  The final skills shared included climbing, descending, and traversing a hill properly. 

            At last, students were led by camp staff on various circuits around the ATVPT farm to further refine the skills learned over the day.

            For photos and more information about the camp, check out www.atvpt.com.

ATVPT was proud to sponsor this years first Kids ATV Safety Camp, with the addition of a bunch of help from fellow atv supporters across the country. Without their support we could not have made this annual event possible.

• Objectives:
• Know the risks in riding ATV's
• Know ways of reducing risks of ATV riding
• a-Scan the area, b-Identify hazards, c-Predict what will happen, d-Decide what to do, Execute the decision

 

• Objectives:
• Know the protective gear ATV riders must wear.
• Know what types of ATV gear to wear in warm and cold weather.
• Discussed riding gear, function, fit, comfort and style.
• Stressed always wear proper protective gear.
• Helmets(most important), Eye protection, Pants, Shirt, Gloves, Boots, Jacket, Roost, & Other body protection.

 

• Objectives:
• Tire & Wheels/ a-Air pressure, b-Condition, c-Wheel bearings, lug nuts, etc.
• Controls & Cables/ a-Location, b-Operation, c-Throttle,d-Brakes-foot,hand,and parking, e-Shifter, f-Clutch(if applicable)
• Lights & Electrics/ a-Ignition switch, b-Engine stop switch, c-Lights
• Oil & Fuel/ a-Levels, b-Vents, c-Air filter, d-Fuel supply valve
• Chain/Driveshaft, Chassis & Suspension/ a-Free play, b-Condition/lubrication/wear, c-Nuts & bolts

 

• Objectives:
• How to use the throttle, shift lever(and clutch) to move in a straight line and to shift gears for basic control.
• How to make quick stops and swerves to avoid unexpected hazards when riding.
• How to use the brakes to properly bring your ATV to a safe stop.
• How to make a quick stop in a turn to avoid hazards which may suddenly appear in your path.

 

• Objectives:
• How to turn the ATV at various speeds.
• How to develop basic turning skills by shifting your weight properly to maintain balance and avoid the possibility of loosing control of your ATV.
• How to make quick directional changes to avoid an obstacle.
• How to make sharp turns by coordinating braking, weight shift, and throttle control to maneuver and maintain control of your ATV in tighter turns.

 

• Objectives:
• How to make controlled turns with the ATV at various speeds.
• How to develop basic turning skills through the pylons by shifting your weight properly to maintain balance and avoid the possibility of loosing control of your ATV.
• How to make quick directional changes.
• How to make controlled turns by coordinating braking, weight shift, and throttle control to maneuver and maintain control of your ATV while traversing the pylons.

 

• Objectives:
• How to use the proper technique to safely run over obstacles which you cannot avoid.

 

• Objectives:
• How to climb a hill.
• How to use the proper method to descend a hill.
• How to apply the techniques to transverse a hill properly.

 

• Objectives:
• How to apply safe riding practices and be aware of the environmental concerns shared by responsible riders.
• Time to practice the application of strategies that leads to safe responsible riding practices.
• Follow the rules and maintain a safe environment.
• Always ride within your abilities!

 

• Students received a certificate of attendance.

 

• My thank you's go out to the key people that made the 2006 ATVPT Kids Safety Camp program a success.
• First of all I thank my wife Patricia for sticking beside me while I dream up ways to educate and keep kids safe, while they explore our outdoors.
• Thanks to Patricia , Stephen , Melissa , & Rob for being great range masters, safety coordinators, and for basically doing every task that was required to provide a safe leaning environment for the kids.
• Now, its time to plan ahead for 2007!