Treading on thin ice Published Jan. 19, 2012 By Lt. Col. Brian "Mayday" Mahoney 319th Air Base Wing Chief of Safety GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- So there I was in about 1976, an anxious 11-year old driving on a lake to go fishing with my Grandpa. We were in his beautiful Chrysler on the middle of Big Detroit Lake in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. All of a sudden I hear loud cracks and popping noises, and I could see by the concerned look on my fishing mentor's face that the situation was not good. Luckily, after several minutes of tense quiet, we made it to the thicker ice, leaving behind two nice tracks of "crushed ice" along the way. When we got to the shore and I could finally see the color back in his face, I asked my Grandpa an important question: "How thick does the ice have to be for us to drive on it anyway Grandpa?" He said with renewed enthusiasm that "only 4 inches of ice can hold a train." My immediate thought was; "Holy crap, just how thin was the ice our little car was on just now?" Going on the ice was never the same for me after that day. Trust me, caution takes precedence every time I go ice fishing. Well, recently I heard about another victim of lake ice and it got me thinking again. Last night, I noticed a good article in the North Dakota Outdoors magazine which inspired me to share this valuable information. Here are a few ice fishing safety highlights: Research ice conditions prior to venturing over the water Others cars on the ice are not the only cue Check with locals and/or regular fisherman in the area to see what they know Frequently test the depth of the ice to verify reports/data received Avoid areas with exposed brush, grass, or other exposed structures; ice is typically thinner in those areas Remember, ice thickness is not consistent across lakes/rivers Springs, water depth, currents, or other catalysts may vastly change ice thickness Talk to local residents or local bait shops in the area to discover danger areas Temperature changes cause ice to shift, buckle, expand or contract; reducing ice strength Wear a personal floatation device, and carry a cell phone, and/or 2-way radio at all times If someone breaks through the ice CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If a rescue attempt is to be made, use the following: Long Pole Rope Stretched out blanket or tarp Throw a life jacket , empty jugs or other floating items ASAP Going to victim is the last resort. If necessary, wear life jackets and form a human chain by laying flat on the ice and holding onto the feet of the person in front of you, sliding to the victim slowly. Lay down plywood, or other large surface areas, from the thick ice to the victim, and then cautiously crawl to a point where you can assist In the end, ice fishing safety is up to you and your ability to make educated, rational, and unemotional decisions. It's a great way to pass the time during a long winter season and the fish make great meals when you get home to warm up. So please take the time to put safety first and if you ever need anyone to help share a fresh Walleye or Perch fry...safety is always on call! Remember, safety begins with you!