Ice Safety Tips

Before you fire up the snowmobile or get out the ice fishing gear, please follow some simple tips and use caution before heading out onto the ice.

For new clear ice only

UNDER 4” THICKNESS - STAY OFF

4” - Ice fishing or other activities on foot

5” - 7” - Snowmobile or ATV

8” - 12” - Car or small pickup

12” - 15” - Medium truck

Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

White ice or “snow ice” is only about half as strong as new clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice.

It’s a good idea to check ice thickness every 150 feet or so. Several options are available to assess thickness.

The simplest, in my opinion, is the ice chisel. A metal rod with a sharp, flat blade on one end. Drive the chisel into the ice, using a stabbing motion, to create a hole. Next, measure ice thickness with a tape measure. Other tool options may include the ice auger, or cordless drill.

Another consideration is that cars, pickups or SUVs should be parked at least 50 feet apart and moved every two hours to prevent sinking.

Tip: Make a hole next to the car. If water starts to overflow the top of the hole the ice is sinking and it’s time to move the vehicle.

Should you fall through the ice follow some simple guidelines for self-rescue:

1. Turn toward the direction you came. That’s probably the strongest ice.

2. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. 

3.Kick your feet to become parallel with the surface and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice. 

4. Lay flat on the ice once you are out and roll or crawl away from the hole to keep your weight spread out. This may help prevent you from breaking through again.

5. Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area and re-warm yourself immediately. In moderate to severe cases of hypothermia, you must seek medical attention. A cold heart is very sensitive and may go into ventricular fibrillation leading to death! 

If some else falls in call 911 immediately. If you don’t have a phone yell for help somebody nearby may hear you and call 911. Resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole. Instead follow the simple guidelines of Ice Rescue.

Preach, Reach, Throw, Row

• PREACH - Shout to the victim to encourage them and reassure them that help is on the way.

• REACH - If you can safely reach the victim from shore, extend an object such as a rope, ladder to the victim. If the person starts to pull you in, release your grip on the object ensure that you will not be pulled in.

• THROW - Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim. Have them tie the rope around themselves before they are too cold to hold on.

• ROW - Find a light boat to push across the ice ahead of you. Push it to the edge of the hole, get into the boat and pull the victim in over the bow. Attach some rope to the boat, so others can help pull you and the victim to safety.

Lastly, dress for the weather and have fun!