Attention to conditions imperative to ice safety

  • Published
  • By Gary Johnson
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office
GRAND FORKS AFB, ND --  It's January and ice fishing is in full swing; well, maybe not! Only recently have our temperatures started dropping toward the normal winter range, and while the balmy high 30 and 40 temps were great for snowbirds, they've taken their toll on outdoor enthusiasts. Many local lakes, especially the larger bodies of water, still have open water showing.

Every year, dozens of people are killed when they venture out on frozen lakes and rivers to pursue their favorite winter pastimes. Whether you are an ice fisherman, ice skater or a snow machine rider, ensure the ice is sufficient in thickness to support you and your machine. Breaking through the ice on a frozen lake is a bad situation, but the deadliest scenario is breaking through the ice of a river that is still flowing.

So how can you be sure that there is sufficient ice to ensure a safe outing? Some local papers carry ice information in their sports sections. The best way is to call local sporting goods or bait shops in the area you wish to visit. Since ice fishermen are usually the first on the ice, local tackle and bait shops keep information handy. Here are some rules and safety tips for your ice adventure:

Safety rules:

 Check ice conditions (thickness) before you plan your trip.
 Let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back.
 Never go alone.
 Stop and talk to locals before venturing out on unfamiliar lakes and rivers. They can tell you the location of springs or hot spots that cause thin ice.
 Wear a personal flotation device.
 Always carry a signaling device (loud whistle, air horn, etc.).
 Carry a long pole to test the ice in front of you and keep you from going all the way in.
 Use a small sled to tow equipment behind you and disperse the weight of your footprint.
 Carry a change of clothes on the sled or in a water-proof bag.
 Make no larger than a 10-inch-hole in the ice.

Ice conditions:

 Ice thickness varies with locations on the lake.
 River ice is 15 percent weaker than lake ice.
 Slushy, grey ice is 50 percent weaker than clear ice.
 Lakes can have underwater warm areas that result in thin ice.
 River currents can cause thin ice spots.

Ice thickness (rough estimate) chart:

 2-3 Inches: one person on foot
 3-4 inches: group in single file
 5-6 inches: minimum for snow machine / al terrain vehicle
 8-10 inches: automobile (1 ton gross)/portable ice house
 10-12 inches: pick-up truck (2 tons gross)/permanent ice house

Emergency actions should you fall through the ice:

 Remain calm.
 Assess the situation.
 Return to entry point/point where you broke through the ice.
 Place forearms on ice.
 Kick feet and pull with arms at same time to exit the water.
 If you can not exit the water, place your forearms on ice, do not move them, and signal for help. (Clothing will freeze to ice, preventing you from going under and possibly drowning).
 If able to exit the water, roll back in the direction you originally walked in from.
 When back on solid ice, begin crawling back to shore.
 Upon reaching shore, immediately seek medical attention and warm shelter.