A few weeks ago, I wrote about the thickness of ice on our lakes, but with the winter temperatures being well above normal, ice thickness is becoming an issue. What would you do if a friend fell through the ice into the frigid water? I’m think we all would want to run towards them to help, right?

When people panic, we do things we probably shouldn’t and running to someone that fell through the ice is the WORST thing to do. If this ever happens, you could or will fall through the same thin ice, and then what?

First, if you know the ice thickness could be questionable, do not go ice fishing alone. Second, the best thing is to be prepared BEFORE you go out on the ice.  Third, let people know where you are going out and how long you expect to be out before you go.

Also remember some simple rules about ice and ice strength:

• All ice is never 100% safe.
• Fresh ice is twice as strong as refrozen ice.  Any ice that has thawed and refrozen loses its strength and over time becomes half as strong as fresh ice.
• Rain on ice is a killer.  Just one inch of rain on an acre of ice (about a 210ft x 210ft section) adds close to 225,000 pounds of weight onto that section of ice!  That is the equivalent of parking 45 cars on that section of the ice!
• Springs, currents, rivers, and other water in motion always makes ice thickness variable and less strong.
• If you don’t know, don’t go.

Hopefully you will never use these, but there are a few things that could save a life.

1. ICE PICKS.  These you can buy at any outdoor store between $10 and $30 dollars.
   

   Ice Picks- Commonly Available Online

2. PARACHUTECORD/ROPE.  This you can purchase 30 feet for around $20 and this cord/rope is thin, but very strong.  You can also get rope throw bags that double as your rope, and allow you to throw something of weight to those who may have fallen in.
3. ICE ANCHORS.  These corkscrew devices are extremely sharp and can go into the ice to use to tie off ropes and other items as needed.  They need to be secured to good ice.
4. BUILT-IN FLOATATION. Look for jackets and pants that have built in floatation.  These are not a substitute for USCG PFDs, but have floatation that will help you should you fall in.  Look for this in brands like Striker Ice, Clam “Rise” series, and more.

There is a lot more that could be written on ice rescuing and its easy for me to write this, but everyone can panic in a emergency.  If you are by yourself and fall through the ice, remain calm and reach for the ice picks that should be reachable and use these to pull yourself out (the direction you were coming from) while kicking your legs as hard as you can and attempt to get your elbows and torso onto the ice shelf.  Once out of the water DON’T stand up, instead roll away from the hole to distribute your weight.  Keep spread out until you get to safer ice.

Another technique if you don’t have ice picks is to literally use the slush from the water, slam handfuls of it down onto the ice shelf, where it will then freeze.  This makes homemade hand-holds for you to pull up on.  Once again, don’t stand up, but roll away from the open water.

If you see someone else fall through the ice, it’s only natural to run towards them to help, but DO NOT do this, because you could fall through the ice as well.  To help, tell them to remain calm, call 911 first to get emergency responders in motion.  Be sure to note the location where they are to relay to rescuers, should the person go under at some point.

Then remember the phrase/rhyme of:

• REACH– If you can extend anything from a safe distance to help someone, do it.  Sticks, poles, even ladders can be slid out to folks.  Even those water mats that you see kids playing on in the summer can be rolled/extended out.
• THROW– Throw something to them.  Life jackets, ropes, any other floatation that will give them a chance to be pulled to safety.  If you can attach a rope to a throwable, even better.  You can use your ice anchors or picks to anchor a rope and then throw rope to them to pull them safety.
• ROW– If you can row through the water in a safe way on a small boat or other craft, you may be able to come at them a different way, but still remain safe.
• TOW– Attempt to tow them back to safety with a rope, small craft, etc.
• GO– This is a last resort and should only be done be trained rescuers.  Many have attempted to go in to rescue someone else (or a pet or animal), only to then face the same fate as the original victim.

Once out of the water seek warm shelter as fast as possible, remove clothing and wrap them in blankets or other dry clothes until help arrives.  If they are not in shock, do the same as above, but give them warm (not hot) fluids. Do not heat them too quickly as cold blood that circulates too quickly, can easily put a person into shock.

Even if you or a person that has fallen through the ice feels fine after warming up, a medical professional should still be seen.  There are many things that can occur after the fact, so walking away as though all is well is not a good option.  See a medical professional as soon as possible.

NOBODY should experience this terrible incident, but if you do, hopefully this information might help.  PLEASE be safe on the ice and know the thickness before heading out.

Also check out the ice thickness guide below as well: