General Ice Info. First, a word of caution. As with all things social media there are resource groups for given activities. In the world of ice access there are people posting reports of ice thickness and conditions. Havingscouted ice to confirm some of these reports I have found a great number of them to be a bit overly optimistic in terms of ice thickness and less thanthorough in terms of scope. Some so consistently off that we just subtract an ince off what they claim if its anything over 2" . SMH You can't just go out, drill a quick hole in one or two spots and make blanket claims of how safe a given area is. As I'm tasked with client safety, I do complete inspections that involve drilling holes every 40' in a given grid to sending cameras down to see what the ice is like. My inspections are time consuming but I feel that the margin of safety warrants it. Take reports with a grain of salt. And if possible, get reports from multiple sources.
Remember, there is no such thing as 100% safe ice and many factors affect the strength of ice besides thickness. This information is offered as reference and is in no way a substitute for good judgment.Know before you go.
Always be aware that ice seldom freezes uniformly. It can be 12" where you are and less than 2" a few yards away. Weather and temperature changes causing thawing and refreezing. In reservoirs pockets of air can form under the ice on lakes where the water levels are raised and lowered by flood control.
The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process and keeps thin ice thin.SNOW DOESN'T MAKE MORE ICE!!!
- Long term coverage can weaken the ice as the warmer water below, especially inrun off, will melt the icefrom below even if the air is is well belowfreezing.
- Rotting vegetationcanmake ice thin.
- Schools of fish moving warm water up can open holes in the ice
- Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous.
Guidelines for ice thickness and type of activity:
These thicknesses arebased on CLEAR "BLACK" ICE. Ice with bubbles or grey ice conditions need at least twice the thickness we've listed here. These thicknesses reflect a broad margin of error and are higher than the thicknesses recommended by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
4” of new clear ice is the "safe" minimum thickness for travel on foot or bykite. (You're safer on the kite than on foot but you have to be on foot for set up and pack down phases.)5” is the minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs. 8”-12” is the minimum for cars or small trucks.
Generally acceptedminimum of five inches of ice is recommended for safe enjoyment of ice skating, ice fishing, ice boating, snowkiting and snowmobiling on lakes. However, even if the ice is several inches thick, variations in ice thickness is common and ice-covered water is never completely safe.
Never venture onto the ice alone, and follow these ice safety practices:
- Know the ice conditions before you venture out.
- Don't access ice with deep snow if you don't have solid information about the ice conditions before the snowfall.
- Let someone know when you will be on the ice and when you will return. Leave a note with an ETA on your car.
- Wear aPFD when you don't know if the ice is sound.
- Carry two screwdrivers, ice picks, or large nails to help pull yourself out of the water.
- Avoid areas of open water especially inflows and outflows.
- Avoid pressure ridges.
Be aware and know how to respond:
It is important to pay close attention whenkiting or walking on ice. Cold water will cool a body 25 times faster than cold air of the same temperature.
If on foot and you feel the ice begin to crack beneath you,remember these steps:
- Do not move suddenly. Lie on your stomach and spread your arms and legs (like an airplane).
- Stretch your arms over your head and bring them together.
- Roll away from the crack. Do not bend your knees or elbows.
If YOU fall through the ice: Try not to panic. (easier said we know)
Do not remove your winter clothing. - Heavy clothes will not drag you down. They willtrap air to provide temporary warmth and flotation. Turn toward the direction you came since the ice was strong enough to support you on the way out,it will probably support you again on the way back.
- Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface.
- Kick your feet and dig in your ice picksand swim your way back onto the solid ice.This can be done even without ice picks but ice pick make it a lot easier.Slide onto the ice like a seal.
- Lie flat on the ice and roll away from the hole. This will help distribute your weight.
- Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area out of the wind.
Stages of Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia:
In the event that you or someone else does enter the water you need to be aware of the following symtoms.
Stage 1: Cold Shock/Sudden Disappearance
This response begins immediately upon immersion and will peak within the first 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Breathing and circulation are affected.
Involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, dizziness and confusion start immediately causing water inhalation and possible drowning. A sudden rise in heart rate and blood pressure also occur, possibly resulting in stroke or heart attack.
Stage 2: Swim Failure
A person must attempt to self-rescue, stay afloat or swim to safety within the next 30 minutes. Nerves and muscles in the arms and legs will cool quickly. Strength of handgrip and movement speed will drop 60 percent to 80 percent.
Stage 3: Hypothermia
After the skin, arms and legs have cooled to the water temperature, cooling of the inner organs of the body’s core begins. This is called hypothermia. It develops after 30 minutes if cooling is not stopped. The symptoms follow a predictable progression:
- Shivering
- Skin color becomes flushed initially, but later may turn blue
- Slurred speech
- Clumsiness and poor coordination
- Withdrawn and apathetic
- Heart rate and blood flow slow down
- Limbs become stiff as muscles get rigid
- Mental confusion
- Shivering ceases
- Unconsciousness
- Heart failure may occur, but usually drowning occurs first
Stage 4: Rescue and Post Immersion Responses
Survivors being removed from the water face significant physiological changes in blood volume and distribution. Rescue method and proper treatment of the victim is crucial. Handle victims gently and minimize movement. Wrap the person in blankets to prevent further heat loss and transport him or her to the nearest medical facility in a warm vehicle.
I'm an experienced ice safety expert with a background in conducting thorough ice inspections to ensure the safety of clients in frozen environments. I've gained valuable insights through hands-on experiences, including drilling holes, utilizing cameras for inspections, and assessing various factors affecting ice strength. My commitment to client safety has led me to scrutinize and validate ice thickness reports, often finding discrepancies that underscore the importance of cautious interpretation.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article on general ice safety:
1. Ice Thickness Reports:
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Caution on Social Media Reports: The article warns about the unreliability of ice thickness reports on social media, emphasizing the need for skepticism.
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Thorough Inspections: The author advocates for comprehensive inspections involving drilling holes in a grid pattern and using cameras to accurately assess ice conditions.
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Margin of Safety: Acknowledges that safety margins are crucial, and one should not solely rely on reported ice thickness.
2. Factors Affecting Ice Strength:
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Non-Uniform Freezing: Highlights that ice doesn't freeze uniformly, and thickness can vary significantly even within a short distance.
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Snow Insulation: Discusses how snow can impede the freezing process and maintain thin ice, emphasizing that snow doesn't contribute to making ice thicker.
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Rotting Vegetation: Mentions that rotting vegetation can contribute to thin ice.
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Water Movement: Describes how water movement, such as schools of fish or flowing water, can affect ice thickness.
3. Guidelines for Ice Thickness:
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Clear "Black" Ice Standard: Recommends thickness guidelines based on clear "black" ice, with a caution that ice with bubbles or grey conditions requires double the thickness.
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Minimum Thickness for Various Activities: Provides minimum ice thickness recommendations for activities like walking, snowmobiling, and driving.
4. Ice Safety Practices:
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Diversity of Ice Conditions: Warns that even if the ice is several inches thick, variations are common, and ice-covered water is never entirely safe.
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Safety Practices: Encourages safety practices such as not venturing onto the ice alone, letting someone know your plans, and carrying safety tools like ice picks.
5. Response to Ice Incidents:
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Actions if Ice Cracks: Provides specific steps to follow if the ice begins to crack beneath you, emphasizing controlled movements and self-rescue techniques.
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Cold Water Immersion Stages: Details the stages of cold water immersion and hypothermia, highlighting symptoms and appropriate responses at each stage.
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Rescue and Post-Immersion: Outlines the physiological changes and proper treatment for individuals rescued from cold water immersion.
By adhering to these guidelines and understanding the nuanced factors affecting ice safety, individuals can better ensure their safety when engaging in activities on frozen bodies of water.
