Is The Ice Safe?

Many people have been asking this questions with the bi-polar winter weather we've been having. Ice fishing can produce some of the best catches of year, but it is never worth risking safety for bragging rights or fish meat that can be bought at the market. So here are few tips to help increase the chances of staying safe and feeling more confident on the ice this winter season.

Most important rule, never assume someone is giving you accurate information, test their knowledge of ice safety before considering their opinion. Ask them about ice thickness, colour, clarity, water currents, snow cover, latest weather etc. If they can't answer those questions they either haven't been to that location, and are recycling information they heard, or they are not aware of ice safety and don't look for signs of danger when they venture out.

If you don't know who to ask about ice conditions, call a local fishing guide or tackle shop and see if they have any knowledge of the current conditions. These businesses know the seriousness of ice safety and can usually give you accurate answers to ice thickness, colour, clarity, water currents snow cover and it is current conditions. If they don't know they'll tell you they don't know.

In reality someone has to venture out in order to provide safety reports, and in some cases finding reliable information is not successful. So in these cases it is up to you to be responsible and consider the following:

Planning your trip

• Watch the weather reports leading up to your fishing day & consider the following:
  
  • thinner ice melts & freezes quicker then thick ice
  • light winds speed up freezing, fast winds slow it down, & any winds above 0 celsius regardless of wind chill melt ice/snow faster then warm dead air
  • extreme cold snaps cause ice to weaken with an increase in ice cracks
  • snow covering ice acts as an insulation & prolongs ice from freezing
  • how ice is formed plays a large roll in its strength, new ice is stronger then old ice, steady cold temperatures below 0 celsius is stronger then fluctuating temperatures causing melting & shifting ice
  • Sunlight will deteriorate ice from the bottom up
• Tell somebody when your leaving, where your going & when you expect to be back
• Never be further then 20 minutes away from a vehicle or shelter on shore, which will be your lifeline for warmth & getting help in an emergency
• Know how far you are from cellphone reception, a pay phone or open business
• Map out an escape plan, & consider all scenarios, include the possibility of helping others in danger

What to bring

• Life Jacket - this will increase your chance of survival from 10 minutes to 60 minutes
• Ice Picks - these are easy to make or cheap to buy & will be your only chance of getting out of the water without assistance
• Compass - your only guide when fast weather changes cause white out conditions, reduced visibility of the shore & landmarks
• Ice Chisel - this will decreasing the chances of you falling in by testing the ice in front of you
• A Buddy - having an extra person increases your chances of survival in all situations
• Extra Warm Clothes - to leave in the vehicle in case you get wet
• A Rope - to assist someone who has fallen through the ice from a safe distance
• Flashlight - to spot open holes and signs of dangerous ice in early morning and late evening when there is low visibility

What to know and look for

• The ice should be at least 4 inches thick to walk on, 5 inches for a sled & 8-12 inches for a vehicle depending on weight & size (assuming the ice is clear blue & in good condition)
• Analyze the colour & clarity of the ice, clear blue ice is strongest, cloudy, grey & black ice should be avoided
• Larger bodies of water take longer to freeze
• The weakest ice is closest to shore where it is effected by shifting, expanding, buckling & continual thawing & freezing from the sunlight reflecting off the bottom
• Test the ice as you go with your auger/chisel, ice thickness is never consistent
• The ice will crack as you walk or drive on it, this is normal, but, if they are deep exposing fresh water & letting water back up, that is a sign of danger
• Avoid ice formed where there are currents, ice thickness will vary drastically & can change in a matter of hours with changes in water flow
• Avoid objects such as docks, trees, pillars & other objects that are exposed through the ice, they absorb heat from the sun & weaken the ice around them
• Slush & water is a sign that the ice is no longer freezing from below, and should be avoided
• If you see signs of weak ice ahead of you go back the way you came, it held your weight before, it will hold it again

Driving on ice

• Drive with your seatbelt off, doors unlocked & windows open, so you can have a quick escape (as soon as the vehicle starts to sink you won't be able to open your doors)
• Drive slow, driving on ice creates a wave, the faster you drive the bigger the wave which increases the chances of falling through
• Don't follow too close behind vehicles, leave 200-300 feet of space, an interruption of the wave from another vehicle can increase the chances of falling through

What to do if you fall in

The reality is as soon as you are in the water you are in a very bad situation, you have 1 minute to control your breathing, 10 minutes to use your limbs before they loose feeling and function and 1 hour before hypothermia causes you to pass out. Getting out successfully is harder then just following a couple suggestions.

A similar experience would be to go to your local swimming pool, jump in, swim up to the ledge put your arms out straight without pushing down, and only kicking with your legs get your body onto the ledge. Now include shock, the weight of your wet clothes, rapidly decreasing use of your limbs due to cold water, and the possibility of ice continuing to break during your attempt.

So the reality is staying out of the water is going to save your life, but if you do happen to fall in remember these tips:

• Control your breathing, you only have one minute
• Turn to the direction you came from (you know it held your weight before)
• Kick up & out with your legs, you only have ten minutes & limited attempts
• If you have ice picks use them
• Once you get onto the ice roll away or crawl (distributing your weight evenly) from danger the same way you came (it held your weight before, it will hold it again)
• If you can't get out bring your knees to your chest & protect the core of your body, it will give you about an hour of consciousness
• If you don't have a life jacket let your wet arms freeze to the ice in front of you
• If you can't get out, let your tongue freeze to the ice to keep your head up & keep you from drowning if you pass out
• Get dry & warm as soon as possible, if you are more then 30 minutes away from a vehicle or shelter, your better to stay where you are and wait for help, it will buy your more time