Ice Safety

Ice Safety

There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. Be prepared: take safety precautions.

• Leave information about your plans with someone that includes where you plan to fish, skate, etc. and when you expect to return. Take a partner with you.
• Ice varies in thickness and condition especially on rivers, lakes, or streams. Current under the water causes ice to become thinner in some areas. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you walk out on it. Four inches of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot and 5″ is the minimum for snowmobiles or ATVs.
• Have a personal floatation device (life vest) or float cushion available to use if needed. An empty plastic bleach bottle can be loaded with 50′-70′ of nylon rope and kept ready to be used as a rescue rope if needed. Run the line through the mouth of the bottle through a hole in the bottom of the bottle-tie a knot with a loop in it. Fill the bottle with the length of rope-have a knot and loop at the end to hold on to when you throw the bottle out to someone. The rope should uncoil as the bottle is thrown.
• Carry a set of hand-spikes or awls in your outside pocket to help you get back up on the surface of the ice if you go through. They can help you pull yourself up and out. Make a set at home from a piece of an old broom handle and a nail, two screwdrivers tied together by a 3′ length of rope, or purchase a pair.
• Use a sled with a long rope attached to carry your equipment. The sled can be used to push out to someone who is in trouble. You can use the sled to pull them out if needed or at least carry a safety line or throw rope of some kind to throw out if needed.
• Carry a cell phone and put it inside a zip-lock bag to keep it dry.
• Dress for the cold weather. Layer your clothing. Wear clothing that insulates and avoid cotton if possible. Wear a hat to keep heat in and cold out. Take extra clothing-especially socks with you in case you get wet. Wear good warm, dry boots and gloves.
• Have a first aid kit available.
• Matches in a water-proof container in case you need to start a fire.
• Know when to quit. If you feel cold it is because you are cold. Watch for hypothermia (shivering, loss of judgment, slurred speech). Treat hypothermia with warm fluids, dry clothing, blankets, and warm shelter. Watch for frostbite-pale or whitish patches on exposed skin. Head for home before begin to feel any of these conditions.

If someone goes through the ice, don’t panic. Don’t run to the edge of the hole.

Remember: preach, reach, throw, row and go.

Preach: Shout to the victim to encourage them to fight to survive and reassure them that help is on the way. Call 911 and get help on the way.

Reach: if you can safely reach the victim from shore, extend an object (rope, ladder, fishing pole, stick, jumper cables, etc.) to them. If they start to pull you in, release your grip on the object and start over. You have to protect yourself or you will be the second victim.

Throw: Toss the PFD with a rope or line tied to it. Have them tie the line around themselves before they become too cold to hold on.

Row: Maybe there is a light boat to push across the ice ahead of you. Push it to the edge of the hole, get in the boat and pull the victim in over the bow. Have a rope attached to the boat so others can pull you and the victim to safety.

Go: Rescue on ice is very dangerous and should be done by trained professionals. Don’t go out after a victim unless all other basic rescue techniques have been tried. Call 911 and get help on the way. Don’t be a second victim if the situation is too dangerous for you to rescue the victim. Keep talking to the victim, urge them to fight for survival, and reassure them that help is on the way.

If you go through the ice you will find yourself in water so cold it will literally take your breath away. Don’t panic. Remain calm. You will have to follow a plan you should have in your mind ahead of time. Turn and face in the direction that you came. Put your hands and arms on the surface of the ice. Get your ice awls out of your pocket and use your ice awls to pull yourself out onto the ice while kicking your legs to work your way back onto the solid ice. Lie flat on the ice and roll away from the hole. Get to shelter. Remove your wet clothing and rewarm yourself. If hypothermia symptoms are present you need to seek medical attention.