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Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. Ice
conditions are changing on a daily basis. Call ahead for the
most current ice conditions. Anglers should always use extreme caution while ice fishing, and are
encouraged to wear a floatation jacket, carry ice claws and check
ice-depth often. The Department of Natural Resources reports
that 4 inches of ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel
by foot. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5
inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV's, and 8-12 inches of
new, clear ice for cars and small trucks.
Build Yourself a
Lifesaver - C-J
Johnson - Outdoor Media Relations
The winter's first
ice is already skimming Minnesota
lakes and ponds and, unfortunately,
with it comes the ice tragedy
season. Every year we hear of people
drowning because they broke through
ice they thought was safe.
We think to
ourselves, "If I fell through,
I'd just climb back onto the solid
ice and be just fine."
Unfortunately, this is much easier
said than done. First, when you fall
through the ice, you're taken by
surprise (if you knew you were going
to break through, you wouldn't have
walked there in the first place,
right?) The sudden shock to your
body plunging into freezing water
adds to the confusion and panic.
Cold water saps body heat 25 times
faster than air of the same
temperature. Just try holding your
hand in a sink full of ice water for
more than a few seconds and you'll
see what I mean.
And, should you
accidentally fall through thin ice,
then comes the difficult task of
pulling oneself out of the cold
water onto the surface of the wet
and slippery ice. Unless you have a
plan of action for just such
emergencies, your chances of getting
out safely can be pretty slim.
Should the need
arise, here is a plan that can help
increase your chances for surviving
a sudden icy dip, you can purchase a
set of commercially made ice rescue
picks or "claws" or, if
you have a few simple tools and a
little skill in the workshop, you
can make a set for a couple of
dollars for materials.
1) Get two 4"
pieces of wooden doweling the size
of a broom handle or a little
larger. Whatever material you
select, it should float in case you
drop the claws while struggling.
2) Drive a stout
nail into one end of each dowel.
3) Use a file or
grinder to sharpen the nail heads to
a point.
4) Drill a hole
into the dowels (in the end opposite
the nail) and tie a length of strong
cord through the hole so a pick is
on each end..."jump-rope"
fashion. Keep the picks in your
pocket for quick emergency access if
you or a companion do break through.
If you do break
through, try to remain calm. Turn in
the water towards the direction you
came from - that is probably the
strongest ice. Dig the points of the
picks into the ice and while
vigorously kicking your feet, pull
yourself onto the surface by sliding
forward on the ice. Roll away from
the area of weak ice. Rolling on the
ice will distribute your weight to
help avoid breaking through again.
Get to shelter, heat, warm dry
clothing and warm, non-alcoholic,
and non-caffeinated drinks. Call
911 and seek
medical attention if you feel
disoriented, have uncontrollable
shivering, or have any other ill
effects that may be symptoms of
hypothermia (the life-threatening
drop in the body's core
temperature).
What If your buddy
breaks through?
First tell them to
"Stay calm" and that
"We'll get you out of
there."
Then throw them
the picks and explain how to use
them. Remember that by kicking their
feet, the thrust of the kicks can
help push them back onto the solid
ice.
I hope you never
have to use “ice claws” on your
ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross
country skiing or hiking adventures
on frozen waters this winter. But,
just having a pair of these items
with you may offer you a welcome “comfort
factor”.
CJ Johnson is an
outdoor communications specialist
with Explore Minnesota Tourism
www.exploreminnesota.com
"EXPLORE
MINNESOTA TOURISM"
121 7th Place
Suite 100
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
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