Inuvik (May 23/05) - "Skipping" has already resulted in one death in the territories this spring. Authorities warn the dangerous stunt can only lead to future tragedies.

"It's seen as a game and these are games that cost people their lives. Our region and water temperatures are unforgiving," said Julie Miller, captain of Inuvik's Fire Department.

Inuvik deputy fire chief David Bernhardt points to the spot on the Mackenzie River where divers retrieved the body of 21-year-old Marshall Sayers, May 13.

"In water this cold, you've got maybe 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes before you lose mobility (of the limbs)."

Miller was one of many emergency response workers on scene Friday, May 13, when the body of 21-year-old Marshall Sayers was pulled from the Mackenzie River near Inuvik.

Sayers drowned after he fell into the icy water when the snowmobile he was riding didn't make it across the 20 feet of open water he was "skipping" and onto the ice.

"People need to stop and think," said Miller noting that the river is high now, making the distance from ice to shore farther.

"They are lucky each and every time they do it and they think they're not the next one. It's a kid's attitude that it won't happen to me," said Miller.

The coroner could not confirm how many deaths occur yearly on average in the territory due to "skipping," but in Inuvik, the most recent case was May 12, 2003 - two years plus a day from the date Sayers died.

Extreme sport

With extreme filmmakers hawking videos that display "skipping" and other risky tricks, and the increasing power of snowmachines, dangerous stunts and games have become more and more common.

"And there's no doubt in my mind they know it's dangerous," said Cpl. Woody Woodfine who has seen lots of skipping in the four years he's been with the Inuvik RCMP.

The "sport" even draws spectators in the summer, when snowmobilers are commonly seen zipping up and down the Mackenzie River.

Drivers tow buoys behind their machines so they can be recovered if they sink, said Woodfine.

"These are called snowmobiles not water-mobiles," said Woodfine, noting that even in warmer weather, drowning can occur if the weight of the snowmachine pulls the rider down with it.

Admitted to taking part

Though none would give their names, close to half a dozen youth in Inuvik admitted to taking part in the activity, saying it was "cool" and "exciting."

This activity is 100 per cent unadvisable, but if you're going to do it there are ways to minimize potential hazards, said Miller.

Don't "skip" from ice to shore, pack your Ski-Doo into a boat if you need to cross the river.

Wearing a floatation device or floater suit can prevent drowning and possibly keep the body temperature high enough to avoid hypothermia.

"If you're travelling in a group and someone went under, leave a marker (for rescue workers)," said Miller.

Victims will fall straight down and not be swept away by the current, said Miller.

"So if the temperature of the water can sustain life, dive right down and you'll find them."

Calls come in to the police every spring reporting "skippers" in Inuvik.

The practice is so common in Tuk that each of the last two springs acting Staff Sgt. Charles Vallee has visited the schools to inform children about the dangers associated with the stunt.

"The best approach is education. It's proactive and gets the message out that the consequences of skipping could be tragic," he said.

This extreme stunt doesn't seem to have caught on yet in Norman Wells.

"I can't say that I've seen it here or heard of it here," said Const. J.F. Leduc, who couldn't speculate why it would be popular in some areas and not others.

Can't stop stupid

Even as rescue workers searched for Sayers, "skippers" were witnessed in the area - having already been informed of the nearby tragedy.

"It's not illegal so I can't stop you, but you're stupid to go out there. The community is concerned, but I don't know what the solution is," he said, joking that he'd suggested a barbed wire fence running up and down the entire river.

"But they'd just cut through it."