Winter has arrived, bringing a new selection of activities for you to enjoy in snow and on ice. Ice can be dangerous; it can pose a threat to your life if you try crossing it without proper safety precautions. Whether you’re going ice fishing, snowmobiling or just crossing the ice to get to the other side, you need to be aware of the risks and know what to do to keep you and your family safe. Here’s a guide to the basic of staying safe on the ice:
Plan ahead and have what you need: Before you head out on the ice, consult with a local source knowledgeable about the ice conditions on that body of water. You should also let someone know your place and estimated return time. This way, if anything goes awry, people know where you are. Be sure to bring a set of ice picks or claws as a way to measure the thickness of the ice and help you self-extricate if necessary.
Test the Ice thickness: Before you head out on the ice, be sure that it is the type of ice safe to be on. Any ice that has snow on it can be considered unsafe as the snow insulates the ice below and keeps it from getting cold enough to reach a safe thickness. Slush indicates ice is melting at the bottom. Look for blue ice! Test the thickness of ice every few steps: use an ice chisel, an ice auger or a cordless drill with a long wood auger bit. Use one of these to make a hole, then use a tape measure to get a measurement. You need 4 inches or more for walk or ice fishing, 5 inches for a snowmobile or ATV and more for vehicles.
Know what to do if you fall through: Despite your planning, ice can break unpredictably, especially in areas where there have been temperature fluctuations. If this happens, staying calm and knowing what to do can be the difference between life and death. Don’t try to remove your winter clothing as it can provide buoyancy with trapped air. Instead, turn toward the ice you came from, use your ice pics or claws to dig in and vigorously kick your feet while pulling yourself onto the ice by sliding yourself forward. Once back on the ice, roll away from the breakage to evenly distribute your weight and avoid breaking through again. Once you make it out, immediately make your way to a dry and warm place. If you have symptoms of hypothermia (shivering, loss of coordination, memory loss, slurred speech), call 911.
Until next month, stay safe!
