Danger… You could be walking on thin ice

By Karen Killen, EMT, Whitecourt Fire Department/Fire Prevention
There are few winter scenes more inviting than a river topped with layers of bumpy, marbled ice – and few winter scenes more dangerous to unsuspecting people. One out of every 12 Canadians who drowns each year plunges to their death through unsafe ice. Over 50 per cent of ice-related drownings involved an attempted rescue of another person or a dog. In many instances, the dog managed to scramble ashore unaided while the owner did not. It is, therefore, prudent not to throw sticks or balls for dogs near frozen water; if they do get into trouble, don’t attempt to rescue them by venturing onto the ice!
A fall through the ice can easily result in drowning or hypothermia. If you can stay calm and maneuver yourself quickly, however, you can stay safe. Be prepared, and have the right gear for what you’re planning. Don’t go out alone but if you have to, let someone know where you are.
Here are some tips if you do fall through the ice.
1. Find the hole and stay afloat
2. Brace yourself
3. Control your breathing and stay calm
4. Position yourself to face the strongest part of the ice
5. Get as much of your body as possible out of the water
6. Kick your feet and simultaneously pull yourself out
7. Roll away from the hole, stay flat and spread out your weight. Do not stand up right away
8. Warm up and get help
You can help someone else without putting yourself at risk.
Do not attempt to go out on the ice yourself. Call 911 immediately. Talk calmly to the casualty and instruct him or her to keep still to conserve heat and energy. Lie down on the bank or have someone hold onto you to make sure you are stable, and reach out to the casualty with a pole, a rope, a branch, or a piece of clothing. Pull the person to shore if you can. If you cannot find something that will reach, try to find something that will float, and push that out to the person. This will help to keep the casualty afloat until assistance arrives.
Throughout your rescue, keep off the ice yourself. Continue to reassure the casualty, and keep him or her talking until help arrives.
If the rescue is successful, the casualty will need to be kept warm and treated for shock. All casualties should be taken to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected by their ordeal.
Our community and surrounding areas have beautiful places to play, walk, and explore. Let’s do it safely by having a plan if things go wrong.