"Members must be in the 3rd grade and have reached their 8th birthday before January 1 of the current 4-H year to be eligible for enrollment in projects involving motorized vehicles." from 4-H Volunteers Handbook

DRESSING THE PART

When riding an ATV, wear the proper safety gear.  This gear is required when attending a 4H event.

• helmet

• eye protection

• gloves

• boots (over the ankle leather preferred - sorry no rubber boots)

• pants and long-sleeve shirts

Check with a a Mudslingers Volunteer about locating clothing and gear. Usually Someone has out grown theirs!

You must wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment when riding with the Group.  Whether you are merely riding across your own property or on a 20-mile trail ride, dress safely.  No one can predict when an accident will occur.

Helmets come in many different styles and colors.

There are open-faced helmets and full-faced helmets. Some open-faced helmets can be fitted with face shields, while others cannot. Full-faced helmets made for riding street motorcycles are normally fitted with flip-down face shields. Many off-road helmets are full-faced but have a large face cutout for goggles.

Helmets are certified by three different groups: the Department of Transportation (DOT), Snell Foundation or American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Your safety helmet should have a certification sticker from at least one of these groups.

Using athletic or bicycle helmets while riding an ATV is not acceptable.

As with any piece of safety equipment, a helmet must fit correctly. The helmet must be comfortable but snug, neither too loose nor too tight.

If your helmet has been damaged in an accident, you should replace it or at least send it back to the manufacturer for inspection.

Your eyes are an extremely precious resource. They help you walk, run, balance, and judge distances. While even serious injuries to your muscles and bones may heal with time, many relatively minor eye injuries can be permanent. Do not take chances with your eyesight.

If your helmet is equipped with a flip-down shield always have the shield in the down position. The shield cannot protect your eyes if it’s up.

Some open face helmets can be fitted with a snap-on face shield.

If your helmet does not have a built-in shield, you must wear goggles. They should fit within the opening of the helmet and seal securely on your face. If the foam rubber on the goggles doesn’t fully seal on your face, dust can come inside the frame and get into your eyes. Eye glasses or contact lenses don’t qualify as goggles.

Whether you use a shield or goggles, both must be free of scratches and otherwise undamaged.

Gloves come in many different materials and styles.

If you use leather gloves, use the type with the seams on the outside to reduce the chance of developing blisters.

Many off-road riding gloves are made of different materials, making them protective and comfortable. Most of these types of gloves are made with soft leather for the palms and finger backs, and synthetic fabric elsewhere for flexibility and comfort.

You need sturdy footwear to protect your feet while riding an ATV.

The minimum level of protection is over-the-ankle boots, which have relatively low heels. Avoid tall heels, as on western-style boots; the ankle angle of these types of boots makes shifting and braking difficult. Do not wear steel-toe workboots, as they are not designed for motor vehicle use.

Always wear a long-sleeve upper garment and long pants when you ride. A minimum level of protection would be a longsleeve shirt or sweatshirt and heavy denim pants. Wear clothing without holes to avoid having your pants snag on bushes while riding.