It’s still winter Up North and the ice is still thick enough for wintertime fun. But you can never be too safe when it comes to spending time on the ice. The latest issue of “Lake Tides”, put out by the UW Extension has a great article with some tips on staying safe on our frozen lakes. Here is their preventative checklist:
- Travel with a partner on the ice
- Let others know your location
- Wear ice picks
- Wear a life jacket
- Carry a throw rope, extra gloves, stocking hat and flares
If you happen to fall through the ice, here are the steps they say to take:
- Keep calm and tread water until your breathing is controlled.
- Get your bearings and locate where you left the ice.
- Get out by propping yourself on the ice and kicking hard with your legs while you pull yourself out of the hole with your arms.
- Roll away from the hole.
- Remove as much wet clothing as possible.
- Get help.
If you or someone you know has fallen through the ice. Be sure to rewarm the body slowly. Submersion into a hot bath can cause a victim of advanced hypothermia to go into cardiac arrest. Be safe out there! – Wanda Boldon