Ice Safety
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) is dedicated to keeping us safe this season. They emphasize that ice is NEVER completely safe. Factors such as temperature, snow cover, currents, springs, and rough fish all affect ice safety. Within a single body of water, ice thickness can vary significantly; it might be two feet thick in one spot and only an inch thick just a few yards away. It’s essential to check the ice thickness every 150 feet to ensure it can support you, your family, your ice house, and your vehicle.
When parking vehicles, maintain a distance of at least 50 feet between them and move them every two hours to avoid sinking. If you create a hole next to your vehicle and water begins to overflow, it signals that the ice is sinking, indicating it’s time to relocate the vehicle!
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL THROUGH THE ICE
First and foremost, remain calm. The following steps can help you stay prepared.
• Face the direction from which you came; that area likely has the most reliable ice.
• Position your arms on the intact surface. Utilize a set of nails, screwdrivers, or ice pics to gain the additional grip necessary for puling yourself up onto the ice.
• Kick your feet and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice. If your clothing has absorbed a significant amount of water, you may need to partially lift yourself out of the water to allow it to drain before proceeding.
• Position yourself flat on the ice and gently roll away from the hole, ensuring that your weight is evenly distributed.
• Keep your winter clothing on. Bulky garments can help retain air, offer warmth, and aid in flotation.
• Seek a warm, dry, and sheltered place to re-warm yourself right away. If you experience moderate to severe hypothermia, it’s crucial to seek medical help. Cold blood that has pooled in your extremities can return to your heart rapidly, and this sudden influx of chilled blood may trigger ventricular fibrillation, potentially resulting in a heart attack or even death.