Sound Judgment; Environment; Those Around You; Equipment - Arctic Cat 550 H1 EFI Manual

Sound Judgment

Overview
You are not invincible. Knowing that the
first "S" in "P.A.S.S." stands for "Sound
Judgment" means you need to use yours.

Environment

The environment you operate an ATV in
is often harsh and sometimes dangerous
if you don't take proper precautions.
Weather
You need to consider the weather. It is
dangerous to ride your ATV when the
weather is bad or potentially bad. Keep
abreast with weather forecasts.
Terrain
Always pay close attention to the terrain
you're on, even if it is familiar to you.
You can't assume that the landscape
you're used to doesn't change. Changes
to landscape can happen at nearly any
time. Weather, climate, and develop-
ment take their toll.
The thing about terrain is that some-
times you don't know it's changed until
you get there. Whether it's familiar or
not, check out your surroundings before
and during your ride.
Trail Riding
Use sound judgment when trail riding;
that means riding on a trail that fits your
ability level. If the trail is pretty rugged,
standing up on your footrests will make
it easier for you to endure the rough ter-
rain.
Make yourself visible by using head-
lights and taillights, and pull completely
off the trail if you need to stop.
Outsloped trails (trails that slant to
allow rain to run off) make trail riding a
bit more challenging. Accepting that
challenge means keeping your weight
shifted into the slope. Denying the chal-
lenge means sliding off the trail.
! WARNING
It also helps to know which trails you
can ride and who else might be on those
same trails. These are signs currently
used in some areas to designate trail
types and restrictions.

Those Around You

People do all kinds of things that you
can't predict or control.
Riding Companions
Leave a lot of space between you and
other riders, especially in dusty and
dirty conditions, because it'll be diffi-
cult to see the riders in front of you stop-
ping.
Other Vehicles
Depending on where you're riding, you
might encounter other ATV's, bikes, or
motor vehicles. Respect the presence of
cars and make yourself be seen. If you
can't see other vehicles coming, that
means you're invisible, too.
Hikers
With the renewed interest in hiking,
camping, and other outdoor activities,
people can show up in remote areas
where you would never expect them.
For their sake, keep your eyes open.
Animals and Nature
Respect the outdoors that you love.
Don't use your ATV to chase animals or
birds. Drive around young trees rather
than over them. Keep clear of streams
and ditches with standing water.

Equipment

The last thing you expected was that
your ATV would break down in the
middle of the road... it's usually so reli-
able that sometimes you forget the ATV
has its limits.
Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in a serious injury or death.
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