Thin ice

With the onset of low temperatures, ice up to 3-5 cm thick is forming on most water bodies in Belarus. However, it is strictly forbidden to go on ice less than 7 cm thick, as it is dangerous. Currently, there are fluctuations and temperature swings across the country.

 Be aware:

- if the air temperature is above 0 degrees Celsius for more than three days, the ice strength decreases by 25%;
- ice is considered unstable near river mouths and tributaries, near springs and outflows, near trees, bushes, and reeds;

- The strength of ice can be determined visually: blue ice is strong, white ice is half as strong, opaque white or with a yellowish tint is unreliable, dirty, brown-grey ice is usually already thawed and completely weak;
- it is enough for a person to spend 15 minutes in cold water, and everything can end in the most tragic way; at temperatures from minus 2 degrees to zero, death can occur after ten minutes.
Potential victims of ice are ice fishing enthusiasts, as well as children. Parents must talk to their children about the dangers of playing on the ice and teach them how to act. And the safest option is if they do not go out on the ice at all, neither under adult supervision, nor especially alone.
Winter fishing enthusiasts need to be properly equipped - wear a life jacket or a special float suit, and take at least a minimum set of rescue equipment with you: a rope, a stick, a board, "crampons". Avoid being on the ice in bad weather: fog, snowfall, rain, as well as at night. Do not go out on the ice alone, but do not gather in groups on separate sections of the ice. When crossing a body of water in a group, maintain a distance of at least five meters from each other. It is not recommended to make holes closer than 5-6 meters from each other.
Before going out on the ice, make sure it is strong, use well-trodden paths on the ice. In their absence, standing on the shore, plan your route, take a sturdy long stick with you, and avoid suspicious areas. If typical signs of ice weakness appear: cracking, bending, water on the surface of the ice - immediately return to the shore. Walk with your legs wide apart, without lifting them off the surface of the ice; in extreme cases, crawl. Never test the strength of the ice by kicking it.
If you fall through the ice, call for help, get out from the side where the ice is strongest, while crawling onto the ice with your chest, spreading your arms wide to increase the support area and reduce pressure on the ice edge.
If you see a person who has fallen through the ice (into an ice hole), shout that you are coming to help them, etwill give him strength. If possible, as quickly as possible, report the incident to rescuers by calling 101 or 112, and while waiting for the professionals to arrive, try to help the drowning person using improvised means, but do not approach the ice hole closer than 3-4 meters.