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Chapter 4: Rabbit Training

Synopsis

Although rabbits are considered highly intelligent animals, they can be a rather stubborn lot and will only respond to commands on their own terms, somewhat similar to feline behavior. However, it is possible to train a rabbit to some degree of success with a lot of patience and some knowhow.

Understanding what is likely to motivate the pet rabbit to cooperate would be the better way to go about the training session. Once this is successfully identified, then the owner will be able to make the training session more fruitful and thus get the rabbit to cooperate. Ensuring there is an adequate amount of time set aside without any distractions to conduct the training is important. Training session should not be too long and neither should they be too short. The ideal time span to start with would be for about 30 minutes and eventually lengthen it to about 1 hour.

The following chapter will go over the basics of training a rabbit and will give you some tips and tricks that should make the entire process much easier.

Training your rabbit is possible although it can be quite frustrating at times. Rabbits are comparable to cats with their personalities due to the fact that they will not respond to commands unless they know something is in it for them. They are not like dogs who you can call and the dog will respond out of sheer happiness to see the owner and receive attention. A rabbit must almost be bribed in the beginning stages of training them.

By using the rabbit’s favorite treats as the initial incentive to get the pet’s cooperation, the rabbit will be more eager to respond accordingly. However the pet owner must remember to keep the treat small and healthy and this should not eventually contribute to negative health conditions for the pet. Finding treats that are healthy and suitable, are as important as ensuring they are an attractive incentive to the pet.

Providing the specific area for the training to take place so that the pet understand better what it is required to do is important. Having the necessary tools to help make the training easier and more successful is also something that should be incorporated in the sessions. Once the pet rabbit manages to comply with all the various training techniques, the owner should start decreasing the treats given out and substitute it with pleasurable stroking or petting or any other affectionate displays.

The following is some step by step instructions to train your rabbit to do some simple tricks.

Stand on Hind Legs

You can teach your rabbit to perform this trick by holding a treat in your hand. Now you are going to get down to your rabbit’s level. Hold the treat over the rabbits head and say the rabbit’s name. Once you have the rabbit’s attention lower the treat so that the rabbit sees it. Then you are going to say sit up and pull the treat up making the rabbit stand on its hind legs. Give the rabbit the treat and then continue repeating the steps until the rabbit does the trick at east. At this point you will begin to reduce the number of treats and replace them with pets or other affectionate acts.

Teach Your Rabbit to Jump

An easy way to teach your rabbit this trick is to have a treat in your hand. You want to make sure you are by a couch or other object that the rabbit will have to jump to get on. Start by giving the rabbit a treat so it knows that they are there. Then grab another treat and say the rabbit’s name. Gets the rabbit to focus on the treat and then hold in right in front of their face. As the rabbit tries to get the treat you will pull the treat back and hold it up somewhere high the rabbit has to jump. Keep repeating these steps and eventually the rabbit will jump on command. Just as with other tricks it is important to slowly take away the treats for the acts and replace them with affectionate acts.

As stated before, training a rabbit is more than possible. True, it may take more time and patience than training an animal such as a dog but a rabbit can offer its own set of benefits that make the effort more than worth it.

Chapter 5: Training Hamsters, Gerbils and Rats

Synopsis

These small creatures are fairly easy to train if the owner is committed to doing so in the proper manner. In order to be able to do this the owner must first take the time and effort to explore all the various materials written on the subject for training these mammals.

Training the rat would perhaps be less challenging than the other two types of pets, while the gerbil would come in second and although the hamster comes in last, it does not in any way mean it would be rather hard to train. This is mainly due to the fact that these mammals tend to respond in different degrees of understanding and urgency, thus giving the perception that one is easier to train than the other.

The following chapter will go over the basics of training these three types of small mammals and will give you some insight to make the process easier for you.

Training smaller mammals such as hamsters, gerbils and rats is much different than training a dog. Dogs can be easily trained due to their desire to please their owner. Other smaller mammals do not see things in the same manner. They look upon a request and analyze it to see what they will benefit from doing it. As stated before, with smaller mammals, you basically have to bribe them In the begging phases of their training.

For the more standoffish pet, there is a need to use incentives that the mammal will respond favorably to, and these would include all the tasty treats that it likes. However, the owner must remember to give out the reward immediately upon the successful display of obedience to the requests made so that the pet will be able to connect the two and be able to commit this to memory.

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Chapter 4: Interview Potential Candidates

Synopsis

Once you have done the leg work and have gone through all of the recommendations you will have surely met some potential candidates. You need to interview these candidates and make sure that they fulfill every one of your standards when it comes to the care of your child. Remember you are the parent and you do not have to flex to meet other people’s standards. You are the parent so that makes you in control of this interview process.

It is important to remember through this process that some people can be quite deceitful and no matter how sad the truth is, you have to keep an eye out for people who are good at hiding their true self.

The following chapter will go over the importance of interviewing your potential candidates as well as the questions you should ask them.

What Should You Ask?

I cannot express how important it is to conduct an interview with a child care provider before you enroll your child in their services. There are some very important questions you should ask during the interview or during the tour of the daycare. These questions will not only ensure the safety of your child but they will also help you feel more relaxed about the whole situation as well.

The following are seven examples of the types of questions you need to ask the child care provider during your interview.

What is the Provider’s Qualifications?

You need to ask the child care provider what their qualifications are. You need to ask them how long they have been in business for. As well, you need to get professional references from them. Ask them if they have any reviews they can submit. Find out if they are CPR certified because you never know when an emergency may happen and you want to make sure that the person caring for your child is qualified enough to handle the situation. Another important thing to ask is if the child care provider is licensed and if they are not I would start looking elsewhere. Another important thing to ask if your child will be going to a daycare center is if the center is accredited.

How Safe is the Center?

When conducting your interview with your child care provider you need to ask them how safe their facility is. You need to ask them if electrical sockets are blocked with child protectors and if corners on

tables are rounded or covered by child protectant material. Another important question to ask is if cleaning supplies are locked up. A huge and very important question to ask about safety is what the policy is on people picking up children. You want to make sure that the child care provider has a strict policy on only approved people picking up the children and also requiring identification. It is advised that you take a tour of the facility to see the safety measures they have taken for yourself. One good idea is while on the tour to look for a certification of safety from inspectors because most places will place these on the wall in a visible area.

What happens if Your Child is Sick?

It is important that you ask the child care provider if there is a clear plan in place in the case of a child becoming ill. You need to ask if there are policies on when and if a child will be sent home. It is also important to ask this question because you do not necessarily want your child to spend hours in a place where children can be sick and not sent home. The last thing you want is for your child to be perfectly healthy and then come home sick. Another important question to ask is if you will be charged for the days that you have to keep your child at home because they are too ill to go to the daycare.

What is the Ratio When it Comes to Children and Staff

If you are choosing to enroll your child in a daycare facility rather than home care it is important that you ask the provider what the staff to child ratio is. You do not want your child to be in a place where they will be lost in the crowd. You typically want to try and find a child care provider that can offer smaller room sizes and less children per staff. This will ensure that your child is still receiving attention and that all of their needs are being met. Keep in mind, a child needs a lot of attention and needs to feel like they matter.

What is the Parenting Style and What Curriculum is used?

It is important that you ask the child care provider what type of curriculum will be taught and what form of parenting will be used. You need to find out if there will be structure and what type of methods will be used to redirect your child negative behavior.

Do They Offer Transportation?

Some child care providers offer transportation if it is needed and this can be a great convenience for some people. Make sure you ask if transportation is available.

What is the Visitation Policy?

Plain and simple, stay away from child care providers who require prior notice to you coming to see your child. It is your child after all and you should be able to visit them whenever you please. Child care providers who require prior notice to visitation usually have something to hide and that is why they want to know when you are going to come. You want to try and find a place that has an open door policy for parent. Better yet, you want to try and find a child care provider that not only allows you to drop by unexpectedly but encourages it. Parent participation in child care services and crucial so the parents should be there visiting as much as possible.

The process of trying to find child care services that fulfill your every desire can be quite time consuming and seem hopeless at times. As long as you keep searching and keep questions like the ones listed above in your mind you will surely be successful with your efforts. Just remember, no matter how hard it may be, it is important that you find the best care possible for your child as you will trust this person with your child.

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Chapter 4: Live From Love Not From Fear

Synopsis

Love is a wonderful thing and you should take every chance you can to experience and spread it. If the world had more love in it there would not be nearly as much chaos as there is on a daily basis. Sadly it seems that we have lost our ways and people no longer know how to love one another and live their everyday lives in fear.

This concept can also be applied to a person’s higher power. It is important to not live out of fear from your higher power but rather live out of love for your higher power and fellow humanity.

The following chapter will go over the importance of living your life for your higher power from love and not from fear and some examples of ways in which you can do so.

Learn to Love

The power of love is enormous. Think about all of the things that love has made you do in the past. Some of them might have been a little crazy or poor decisions, right? If love has the power to make you do things that you would not normally do it surely has the power to help us live our life in a proper manner and to serve our higher power. You are more likely to succeed in establishing a connection and building a relationship with your higher power if you are doing it out of love and not out of fear. As well, your higher power will notice and it appreciate your actions more if they are out of love and not fear. You may be wondering why. Here is an example, think of a child who is only behaving because they fear discipline if they are seen, so as soon as you leave the room they misbehave. Now on the other hand, a child that is behaving out of love will continue to behave even after you leave the room. This shows that the child is behaving because they know it is right and not only because they do not want to be disciplined. The same idea can be applied to the relationship between you and your higher power.

An example of something that some people do out of fear for their higher power is attending religious services. You should not attend these services because you are afraid of your higher power disapproving of your absence. You should be there because you want to and because you love your higher power. The same goes for those who participate in certain charities or other community help programs because they fear what others might think if they don’t. Although the simple fact that they are participating is a great thing it would be much better if it was out of love.

Besides all of that, you should never fear your higher power. Your higher power is full of nothing but love for you and wants nothing but the best for you. Half of it comes down to you though because your higher power can only point out the way, it is your job to follow it.

Chapter 5: Live in the Here and Now

No matter what you have done is the past, you must let it go. You are a good person and you have ample potential. With the help of your higher power you can surely brighten the outlook of your future. But, if you ever want things to get better in your life you are going to have to learn how to let go of the past.

It is important to fully analyze situations and take in all things including your surroundings. You need to understand that a situation is real no matter what type of decision you are making and this is a form of living in the here and now.

The following chapter will go over the importance of living in the here and now and provide you with some ways in which you can let go of the past and begin analyzing situations as much as possible in order to strengthen the connection between you and your higher power and keep you on a spiritual path.

Let the Past Go!

The past will surely do nothing but hold you back if you dwell on it and this is not healthy for you if you are trying to establish a connection with your higher power. You need to learn how to live in the here and now and the following are six steps that will help you to learn this skill.

Become a Minimalist

Learning to be a minimalist will teach you to let go of everything besides what is absolutely essential to your life. This is especially useful when it comes to getting rid of items that remind us of the past.

Be Happy

Although it may not always be easy, it is important to smile. No matter what happens in your day it is important that you take it in stride. Keep in mind that whatever doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger and that there are people out there who are going through situations worse than yours. You have probable had times that were not that great in the past but you got passed the speed bump. Nothing is worth being an emotional wreck about so try to smile as much as you can.

Learn to Appreciate Each Day

Learning to appreciate each day is a great way of learning how to live in the here and now. No one is guaranteed to live to the next day so every morning you open your eyes in bed you should be truly grateful. Take a look out of a window or step outside and take a moment to appreciate all of the beautiful creations in life your higher power has blessed you with.

Forgive Past Hurts

Do not hold on to anger from the past. Holding resentments does nothing but damage your own health, spirituality, and daily life.

When you forgive someone for past hurts, you need to understand that it is something that is done for you and not for the person you are forgiving. Release yourself and forgive the past!

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Chapter 4: 3D Game Creation Software

Synopsis

If you want to take the experience that people will get when they play your game it is time to bump it up to 3D. Although two dimensional games are fun and did have their era, they cannot compare to the excitement and awe that a 3D game can provide.

Creating a 3D game will require much more work and time than creating a two dimensional game but it is more than possible, even for someone who is not that experienced with programming. Nearly anyone can make a 3D game with the right amount of determination, an idea, and the software to help make it all happen.

When choosing software to help you create your 3D game you must be careful. Most of them can be quite pricey so you want to make sure you get the right one so it fits your needs. The last thing you want to do is purchase licensing for software only to find out it is not capable of performing tasks that you need it to.

The following chapter will go over different types of 3D game creation software to give you a better idea of what you need.

Make it 3D

As stated before, two dimensional games cannot really compete with the gaming experience that three dimensional games can provide. If you ae serious about creating an awesome game than you really need to consider making a 3D game.

The following are some examples of different types of software that can be used to create 3D video games.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine has different versions. The latest version is Unreal Engine 4. Surprisingly, Unreal Engine 3 has nearly all the capabilities of Unreal Engine 4, things are just most finely tuned in the newest version. The possibilities are endless with this game engine. Many of the most popular games out today for several different platforms were created using Unreal Engine 4. If you plan on using this game engine to create your games you better be ready to spend some money. You will be required to pay a monthly subscription, but if you have the money it is well worth it.

CryEngine 3

This software has been used in some very popular games as well. A couple examples would include Crysis 3 and Sniper. CryEngine 3 comes with a complete set of game development tools that will surely fit ever need you have. CryEngine 3 is capable of producing stunning graphics and massive maps. You will also need to purchase a monthly subscription with CryEngine 3 just as you do with Unreal Engine. There is an option to buy the license for this software but if you are just a hobbyist the subscription will do. You can also find older versions of this software online that are free, keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

Unity 3D

This is an awesome game development program. Unity is a commonly used program amongst developers. This is probably due to the fact that it is ready for nearly all platforms straight out of the box. Unity 3D comes with everything you can think of when it comes to what is needed to create an efficient game. If you choose to you can even create a 2D game with Unity. You can find a free version of this software online or you can also purchase the commercial license for it.

Torque3D

Torque3D is another favorite amongst developers. This software offers many features and can create some truly amazing graphics and shading. Another benefit that Torque3D offers is that fact that it has the capability to publish for multi-platform. There is no free version of Torque3D but it is worth the price which is surprisingly reasonably set.

BLENDER

BLENDER is another great option when it comes to game development software. One of the best things about BLENDER is the fact that it is completely free. BLENDER includes tools for 3D modeling, animation, pixel shading, compositing and much more.

BLENDER comes with a built in game engine that functions on C++. It is truly remarkable software for the price of free.

C4 Engine

This software is not really on the level of Unreal Engine or CryEngine but it is still good software. C4 Engine offers texture control, terrain and scene management, dynamic lighting, advanced shading support and much more. There is a professional version as well as a personal version available for purchase as well as a lite version for academics at no charge.

IDTECH4

This is also another popularly used game development program. It was used in games such as Doom 4 and Quake. It offers tools such as mega texture control, shadow volumes and unified lighting.

You may not know for sure exactly which software to use. It is advised that you do some further research on what will best fit your needs for your game before purchasing any game development software. Trust me, with all the choices that are available, you are certain to find a perfect match for you.

Chapter 5:

Game Modification

Synopsis

Game modifications or “modding” happens when changes are made to a game that developers did not intend to take place. In some cases game modifications can be used to correct errors that were made while creating the game. Sadly, in most cases game modification or “modding” is done by members of the online game community who want to alter the way a game plays or the objects in the game.

There are counter measures you can take to protect your game from being modded by people who you did not authorize to make changes to your games coding.

The following chapter will go over game modification, its different uses and ways in which you can protect your game from unauthorized modification.

All about Modification

As mentioned before, game modification can be used in a positive way. Remember early in this book when we talked about debugging programs? Well these programs are a form of game modification being used in a positive way. The debuggers find the issue in your coding and alert you of the issue. Once you fix the incorrect coding you have just modified the game. After all, it makes much more sense to find the problem in your current game rather than to start all over.

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Chapter 5: Write Affirmations

Synopsis

Writing affirmations can help you a lot when you are trying to use the power of the law of attraction to bring good things in your life. Believe it or not simply saying positive statements or writing them out can make a huge positive impact on your life. After saying or writing enough positive statements about the blessings you want to receive in your life you will start to believe them and they will become true.

As mentioned before, the law of attraction is influenced by the mindset that you have, therefore if you have positive thinking reinforced by the power of affirmations the law of attraction will start to bring good things into your life and no time and you will be amazed by how fast and how many blessings come.

The following chapter will go over the importance of writing affirmations as well as why they are so important when it comes to trying to use the law of attraction to your advantage. We will also go over ways in which you can write affirmations that are effective and work well.

Write It, Believe It

In order for the affirmations that you write to work effectively it is highly important for you to make sure that you are doing them in a certain manner. The following are step by step instructions that should help to ensure that you write the most effective affirmation possible.

Step One

One of the simplest ways to get started when it comes to writing affirmations is to begin by writing a series of I am statements. You want these statements to be about what you want to become or what you want to bring into your life. This seems really simple, doesn’t it? That is because it is simple. Something as simple as writing out statements on a daily basis can cause the law of attraction to begin to make these statements true. One important thing is that you must always remember to believe these statements or else this entire process will be a waste of time. It may be difficult to believe these statements at first but in time it will become much easier.

Step Two

It is important that when you write your affirmations you stay away from writing out negative things. You want to stay on a positive note so you need to focus on things such as what you want to bring in to your life and not what you want to get out of it. The law of attraction will react with what you write and what you think so any negative statements might result in undesired results.

Step Three

It is important in life that you are always yourself. You should never try to be someone other than who you really are. This is true even when you are talking about how you write out your affirmations. You want to use words and phrases that are normal for you to use. Do not try to sound like a different person. It is true that you are honest with yourself and that you are true to who you are.

Step Four

When you write your affirmations it is highly important that you write them out with a lot of energy and passion. You want to throw some of your personality in them. Making them boring and dull will make them seem like more of a task than an affirmation. Affirmations are supposed to be happy and full of hope so put some energy into writing them.

Step Five

You do not want to waste time worrying about how your affirmations are going to come true. That is the job of the law of attraction. When you write out your affirmations and truly believe them you will draw those things into your life. As stated before, it may not be overnight but it will happen sooner or later.

You will be surprised by the power that affirmations have, I guarantee it you just have to try it for yourself top experience it. The law of attraction is very powerful and using positive affirmations is a great way to harness the power of attraction and use it to benefit your life.

You may feel a little weird at first when you begin writing your affirmations but this feeling will pass in time. I cannot say enough how important it is that you truly believe your affirmations. Affirmations must be believed in if you want them to work. Once again, if you do not believe in your affirmations they will be nothing but a big waste of time.

Chapter 6: Feel That You Already Have

Synopsis

When trying to benefit from the law of attraction it is extremely important that you take the time to understand and feel that you already have many things in life. You need to learn to be grateful to the universe for what it has provided you with and always keep in mind that there are people in this world who have it much more than you.

You will also notice that when you begin to be grateful for what you have and begin to feel like you have enough in your life that you are blessed with a sense of being content and sense of serenity. You will also notice that when you are grateful for what you have and feel like you have enough in life the law of attraction will bless you with good things in your life.

The positive feeling of gratefulness will reflect on the law of attraction so you should exhibit this feeling as much as possible. The following chapter will go over the importance of feeling that you have as well as the importance of being grateful and how it relates to the law of attraction..

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Chapter 5: Using the Correct Search Keywords

Synopsis

When trying to get your resume out for potential employers to view it is very important that you use the correct keywords in your resume. This is especially true when it comes to video game testers. It is reported that the number of jobs currently held by video game testers would be much higher if they used the correct search keywords when both looking for a job and creating a resume.

It may actually be a better idea to use terms such as quality assurance or QA when creating your keywords or conducting your employment listing research. This makes sense when you think about it because that is basically what the job is of a game tester. Their duty is to ensure the quality of a game and to make sure that it is performing to the best ability possible.

The following chapter will go over the importance of selecting the correct keywords for your job searches and your resumes. It will also provide you with some tips that you may want to consider when creating your search keywords.

Use Effective Keywords

There is more to using search keywords to find employment and create resumes than just getting lucky. There is an actual science behind keywords and there is a system that can make them very effective, if used correctly. The way that these keyword work is that potential employers such as the head of a game development team will provide their human resource or hiring team with a set of keywords. These keywords are then used to seek out potential employees. Without the correct use of keywords it is highly unlikely that you will find the position you are looking for or that a company that is hiring will view your resume online. Keywords can literally make or break the efforts of your job search. If you think you have an amazing resume and are qualified and have enough experience but you are still not getting calls from game development teams, you may want to consider revising your search keywords.

The following will be a few tips that will help you to make the best keywords and help you to get your resume discovered:

Study Other People’s Keywords

One very effective way of making the best search keywords is to find other people who are in the profession of which you would like to become, such as a game tester. Once you find these people you want to analyze the keywords that they have selected. Obviously if they are already in the industry they have done something right and it might be a wise idea to follow their example. Try to find these people on social sites such as Facebook or other social sites.

Do Not Use Acronyms

In today’s fast paced life, acronyms are commonly used. You want to avoid doing this when creating your keywords or when putting any other details into your resume. Potential employers want to be able to read your resume and be able to easily understand the information in it and not have to try and think about what an acronym means.

Research The Game Development Website

It would be a very wise idea for you to do some research on the game development website that you plan on trying to get a job for. Take the time to go through their website and find the keywords that are used on a regular basis. This is probably one of the best ways to make sure that you are using effective keywords that will get noticed.

Spell Correctly

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to make sure that you are using correct grammar and spelling when it comes to creating search keywords. Spelling your keywords wrong will make your resume much harder to find and will also make it much more difficult to find job opening online. Even if you are lucky enough that a potential employer from a game development team finds your resume, they will surely notice the misplelled keywords. As mentioned before, game testers need to pay attention to detail so misspelling keywords would be a sure way of ensuring you do not get the job. Think about it, would you want to hire someone to work on your game that made spelling or grammar error in their resume? I’m sure you would probably not and neither would I. In fact, not too many people would so make sure you use correct grammar and make sure everything is spelled correctly!

Include Location Keywords

Believe it or not, something as simple as including location keywords in your searches and your keywords can make a huge difference. Some employers choose to do their employee searches by using location keywords. The reason they start with locations is so they can find people in a certain area and then go through those until they find a candidate for their open position. This is a great way of getting your resume seen by a game developer in your area so it is something that you should seriously consider doing.

The above are just a few examples of things to consider when making your keywords. The best thing you can do is keep in mind that you need to make your keywords relevant to game testing and the experience necessary to do so.

Wrapping Up

You can become a video game tester and you can become one of those happy people who enjoy the line of work that they do for a living. In no time at all you could be living a life that you are content with and could have some serious cash flowing in. It just depends on how much effort and determination you are going to put in to it. The more you work towards your goal the quicker it will come.

You must remember that even the best written resumes and all the effort in the world does not necessarily guarantee a call back, and interview or a job. The only thing that will guarantee that you land your dream job of being a video game tester is getting out on the grind and trying game develop after game developer until you get hired. Remember, even if you do not end up with your desired company at first, any game testing job is more experience and will possibly open doors of opportunity into the company of your dreams.

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Chapter 4: Safety Tips for Riding a Toboggan

Synopsis

Tobogganing is gaining in popularity; more and more people are taking part in it every winter season. This is probably due to the fact that it can be very exciting, can be low in cost, and for some people it can be done nearly right out their back door. As well, it is an activity that can be enjoyed as a family and that is something that is hard to come by these days.

No matter how much fun tobogganing is, it can be dangerous if the proper safety guidelines are not met. It is very important for people to be aware of the dangers involved with tobogganing and also be aware of ways in which to minimize that danger.

The following chapter will go over the importance of being safe while operating a toboggan as well as some safety tips you should keep in mind. There will also be some dos and don’ts that will ensure that you have a fun time but remain safe at the same time.

Always Be Safe!

Safety is always important and should always be your number one priority. There are certain guidelines that if followed will greatly heighten your chances of having fun with your toboggan without anything bad happening like a crash or an injury.

The following are some examples of things that you can do in order to ensure that your tobogganing experience will be a fun and safe time:

Check the Weather

You want to make sure that you check the weather before you go out for some toboggan runs. You also want to make sure that you are checking the weather around where you will be doing your toboggan riding if it is in a different location than where you are now. The purpose for checking the weather is to make sure that you do not get caught in the middle of a blizzard or other dangerous winter conditions. You also want to make sure that the hill or slope that you plan on going to is safe. Check to see if there are any alerts for possible avalanches in the area or spots with thin ice. The last thing you want to do is get hurt or have a member of your family get hurt while trying to have a good time.

Stick to the Daytime

I know that sometimes it seems as if there are not enough hours of daylight to get done what we want to get done, this is especially true in the winter time. The fact is, tobogganing in the dark is extremely dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. The safest time to enjoy a toboggan run is during the day. There are times when it is safe to ride a toboggan at night but that is only on a well-lit course and never on a course that you made yourself in the middle of nowhere. Most of the injuries that happen on toboggans occur during the hours that the sun is down and visibility is low.

Pick Something Comfortable

You want to select a toboggan that feels comfortable to you. It is important to make sure that the toboggan is the right size and is the type of toboggan that you are used to. Avoid choosing a toboggan that goes speeds that are too fast for you to control or toboggans that are too hard for you to control. This is especially important when you are going to have more than one person on the toboggan since they will be depending on you for a safe ride.

Wear a Helmet!

It is extremely crucial that you wear a helmet at all times while riding a toboggan. Even if you are on a small decline and you feel like there is no danger, you must wear a helmet! This is especially true when it comes to children riding toboggans as you want to make sure that they are in the safest of conditions at all times. It is important that you do not try to cut corners with what type of helmet you get. You need to make sure that the helmet that you purchase is approved by the correct organizations for safety standards.

Know How to Bail

Just as it is important to know how to operate a toboggan properly, it is also important to know how to bail off of one in the case that you need to get off of it in a hurry. It is important that you roll to the side until you come off of your toboggan. Do not try to jump out or go any direction besides to the side. As well, avoid trying to stick out your legs and feet and just roll with the impact. Doing this much absorb much of the shock of the impact and it will barely even feel like you just hit the ground.

Keep the Decline Shallow

It is important that you look for areas that offer a decline that is not too steep. As well, you want to make sure that there is not too much ice. Ice can cause the toboggan to pick up a lot of speed and become out of control. Besides that, ice is much harder than snow and falling hard on ice can cause bones to break or other injuries such as concussions, even if helmets are worn.

Pay Attention to Warnings

If you ever come across closed areas or areas with warning signs it is extremely important that you pay attention to what they say. Never go into a closed portion of a course because it is closed for a reason. It may be because there is threat of an avalanche or because there are jagged rocks poking out of areas with low levels of snow. Whatever the reason is it is just best to stay away from these areas.

All of the previous mentioned are some very valuable safety tips and none of them should be taken lightly. The difference between a fun toboggan ride that is problem free and a dangerous one that ends in bad results is the safety equipment worn and the precautions taken. Use your brain and protect it at the same time, always be safe!

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Chapter 8: Strategies for Skateboarding Faster

Synopsis

When a person uses the right techniques in the correct location they can reach some truly remarkable speeds on a skateboard. One important thing to remember is that if you are trying to use a skateboard for the means of going fast, it is probably a better idea to go for something like a long board instead of a classic or street board.

Long boards can be a bit more expensive but you will notice how much faster you can go on them. It can be a bit tricky to master the skill of turning corners at fast speeds, but with enough practice you will be able to do it in no time at all.

The following chapter will go over the basics of skating faster and will provide you with some tips to help you improve your technique.

Go Faster!

There are some very simple methods you can adopt when trying to put more speed into your skating experience. Some of these would require some physical execution while other would be more to do with the mind.

The following are some tips on how to create more speed for your skate boarding experience:

Perhaps skate boarding with people who are more competent in the sport would help the individual to be inspired to push the boundaries and aim for faster speeds. By observing these more advanced skaters, the individual will be able to gain valuable insight on how to create the elevated speeds desired.

Choosing to skate outside the individual’s comfort zone is also another way to push for higher standards and faster speeds. By practicing more and incorporating all the tips learned and observed, the skater will be able to fine tune their skating skills until the desired skills are achieved. Having sound knowledge of all the ways to better the skating techniques will also help in the quest to achieve higher goals.

Bending the knees is also another tip that can be used to create faster speeds on the skate boards as this helps to elongate the stride more effectively. The bent knees will allow the skater to reach out and push much faster during the skating stride.

In order to keep the speeds consistent, the skater would be advised to bring the feet back closer to the middle once the launch into the skating motion is executed. This will not only help to prolong the ride but will also allow1’ for the speeds to be picked up.

Arm movements are also pivotal to the speed increasing strategy. Swinging the arms about too much will cause unnecessary friction that will eventually cause the slower speeds, thus the individual should try to maintain a more aerodynamic position.

Chapter 9: Jumping Tactics for Skateboarding

If you want the ultimate thrill out of your skateboarding experience, jumps are the way to go. It is very important that you are comfortable with your skill level before trying any big jumps though. You can really get an amazing thrill from flying through the air. Most people who have experienced this thrill compare it to what a bird must feel like. For that split second that you are in the air, you feel truly free.

Always wear appropriate safety equipment when attempting to do jumps with your skateboard. Doing jumps and tricks with your board can be a great way of having fun and can be moderately safe as long as responsible safety precautions are taken.

The following chapter will go over some tactics that you may want to try and implement into your technique to better your skill with skateboard jumps.

Improve Your Jumping

Learning how to jump while still managing to stay with the skateboard is something that can be learned with practice and is usually a very common move to master. With some practice and know how, any skater should be able to manage this without much difficulty.

The following are some tactics that should be tried to perfect your jumping motion while skateboarding:

Standing on the skateboard with the back foot just slightly over the edge of the board and the front foot around the middle will help to prepare the skateboarder for the actual jump sequence. The balance created by this particular stance will help to keep the skateboard closer to the individual during the jump.

Bending the knees and pressing the tail end of the board down to the ground with the back foot is also recommended as a good strategy to start the jump and finish it without actually losing complete contact with the skateboard. In quick succession, push the front foot towards the nose end of the board. As the front foot slides up to the front of the board, there should be some added pressure to push the board towards the ground.

Most of these steps if followed well, will allow the board to be as close to the skater at all times and this is necessary to ensure successful skateboarding moves. The motions are designed to simulate the skate board practically sticking to the feet of the skater throughout the continuous skating movements. Wearing protective gears is also strictly encouraged as it will help to cushion any impact resulting from a fall or the loss of balance and coordination by minimizing injury possibilities. Jumping tactics are usually noted for the thrills and excitement they bring out in the skateboarding sport.

Chapter 10: Safety Tips for Skateboarding

Synopsis

The importance of safety in any type of physical activity cannot be stressed enough. This is true as well when it comes to skateboarding. Your body is a precious thing and you only get one. You need to make sure that you take care of your body and that you keep it safe at all times when you are skateboarding. As stated before, never try to do something that is too far out of your comfort zone or skill level.

Always wear the appropriate safety gear and stay away from crowded streets. Common sense will play a large role in keeping yourself safe. You need to listen to your brain when it tells you something is a bad idea, because it most likely is.

The following chapter will go over the importance of safety and will provide you with some tips to help keep you safe.