How to get out of an ice hole: safety rules from rescuers

Ice is one of those wonders that comes with winter. It brings the joy of ice skating, the tranquility of ice fishing, and, unfortunately, sometimes injuries and tragedies.

Children have a special interest in this natural phenomenon. Children look for toys everywhere, and ice is an exciting pastime for them for a couple of months a year. Here, the role of parents is very important in preventing tragic incidents: they should tell children about the dangers of going out on thin ice and inquire about where their children spend their free time. Adults should not be indifferent and should stop children from attempting to go on the ice. Carelessness can lead to tragedy.

Another category of people who love the winter season are fishermen, who, with the onset of cold weather and in spring, practically play Russian roulette every time. A third of the victims are "extreme anglers" who were intoxicated.

It is better not to risk your life at all, to skate on a specially equipped rink, and to fish from the shore of the reservoir. But if you cannot do without your winter hobby, then a mandatory condition for going on the ice is wearing a life jacket.

Determining danger by color:

– the strongest ice is transparent blue. Remember Lake Baikal: roads are laid across the frozen lake annually;

  • weak ice is opaque white. It is half as reliable;

– brittle ice is gray and speckled gray. When on such a surface, the chance of an extreme catch is too high;

– it is important to know: at a temperature of 0°C, maintained for three days, the strength of the ice decreases by 25%.

You can check the strength of the ice not only visually. But this should also be done correctly – not by kicking or jumping, but, for example, with a simple stick. If water appears when tapping, then you should not walk on such ice.

Unsafe places

Safe ice is at least 7 cm thick in fresh water and 15 cm in salt water. But even if you have a tape measure with you, and the ice is, for example, 11 cm thick, this is not a guarantee of safety: you need to walk on it carefully. Some places should be avoided altogether. The ice strength is weakened at river mouths, channels, places with fast currents, springs, and drainage waters, as well as in areas where aquatic vegetation grows, near trees, bushes, and reeds.

When there will be no bite

The bite may be better at night, but it is worth remembering that in the dark, a person's chances of becoming the "catch" of the lake or river themselves increase. Firstly, if you fall through the ice, it will be much harder for you to get out. Secondly, lost evening travelers, even if they hear calls for help, may simply not notice you. It is also worth refraining from fishing in poor visibility – during fog, snowfall, rain, etc.

In a trap

If it so happens that you find yourself trapped or realize that the ice is too thin everywhere, and it is better to postpone fishing for later – make your way back to the shore along your own tracks. Try to distribute the load of your body over the largest possible area. Walk slowly, with gliding steps, without lifting your feet off the ice, imagining yourself as a skier, or crawl to the shore.

When disaster strikes

First, an interesting and motivating fact: when in cold water, a person has 10-15 minutes before a deplorable outcome. The main rule here is not to give up, not to panic, and not to make sudden movements.

If you fall through the water:

1. Don't panic. Rescue depends 90% on the confidence and psychological state of the person who fell into the water. If there are people nearby, call for help.

2. Try not to go under the water headfirst.

3. Move towards the edge of the ice hole from which the current flows. Having reached it, try to lean your chest on the edge of the ice and, throwing your leg up, get onto the ice. Even if the ice breaks off, do not give up trying to get out.

4. Once the main part of your torso is on the ice, crawl or roll away from the ice hole. Slowly and carefully crawl to a safe place, returning along your own tracks.

5. Once on land, remove and wring out wet clothing. Move and do strength exercises, build a fire. Call an ambulance.

If you witness someone falling through the ice:

  • When assisting a person who has fallen through the ice, be careful not to end up needing to rescue two people.
  • First, do not panic and think about what you can do and whether it is within your capabilities. It may be best to call for help from a more experienced person.
  • Arm yourself with a stick, pole, rope, or board, carefully crawl to the ice hole, distributing your body weight evenly over the surface, pushing the rescue device in front of you.
  • Having approached the ice hole to the maximum possible safe distance, offer the victim a stick, pole, or throw a rope.
  • When you start pulling the victim out, ask them to use their legs: this will make it easier to pull them out of the ice hole.
  • Pull the victim to a safe place and provide first aid necessary for hypothermia. Call an ambulance.

Be vigilant and attentive in observing the basic and simplest safety rules. This way, your fishing trip will bring only a good catch, great emotions, and precious relaxation.

How to get out of an ice hole: safety rules from rescuers | Miory District Executive Committee