I have been getting some negative responses from another site about the same "Backpack warning" post that I posted. So I thought I would share with you the response that I wrote there to help give a better idea why I wrote it.
"There has been some misinterpretaton of the reason behind this post.
It was not meant to disrespect the wearing of, or use of packs while snowmobiling, nor anyone that wears them. I simply stated that "He was wearing a backpack. I don't know what was in the backpack but the end results were both shoulder blades broken, several ribs, and a broken back." I never said that the pack, contents or riding style had anything to do with the injury or kept from worse injury. Nor did I disrespect any of them. I have no idea what role the pack played in the accident, if any. I also used the title "Backpack warning", which is quite obvious now was the wrong title. As I stated in an earlier post I have worn a pack in the past and will continue to wear one when I need to. I have been snowmobiling for over 20 years and have wore a pack on several occassions and will again. Some of the stuff that I carried in the pack may have caused some serious injuries if I was tossed from my sled and landed on my back. I never realy thought about it till now.
I have been in the fire/rescue service (voluenteer and full time)for 21 years now. I have seen some stuff that no one should ever have to see. Alot of it was caused from silly little mistakes that could have easily been avoided. I got into it because I like to help people. I have learned a great deal of stuff, safety wise, from my experiences and try to pass that on to family and freinds. I beleive that this has made me a safer all round person weither it be snowmobiling, quadding, boating or routine everyday stuff and I like to try to help others in the same way.
We teach our kids from an early age to be warry of strangers. I tell my kids that not all strangers are bad and treat everyone with respect but not to accept candy, rides and the list goes on. I don't tell them this to make them scared or parinoid of the world or people, but to just be cautious. I hate the idea that there are people out there that will harm a child, and even an adult, but the reality of it is there are and no one can dispute that. I pray that my kid will never have to put into use what I have tought them, but if they do it may just help keep them safe. This post was meant to do the same for snowmobilers, rookie or veteran.
Snow mobiling has taken off in the past few years and with new people getting into the sport there is a great deal of knowledge and safety for them to learn. If they realize "what" can happen, they may be able to figure out "how" it can be avoided. If they want. But at least they have a choice. After all it may be one of them comming towards you the next time on the trail.
While the way that I wrote the original post may be something to be desired (i never was good at writing) it was not meant to bash any one or anything. I can see how it could look like I was bashing the wearing of packs, but it wasn't meant to. It was to hopefully help someone from suffering the same injuries. If you learned something from the post, great. If you didn't and thought it was useless, great, If you did learn something, great, even better. Take it how you will. If the writing of this post helps only one person, then it was well worth it
Be safe and stay safe and have fun"
