Falling through ice is frightening, but people who have a plan and the right gear regularly get themselves out. Natural resource agencies teach the same sequence of steps, and it helps to rehearse them before the season.
The self-rescue steps
- Stay calm and act quickly. Panic wastes the short time your muscles work well.
- Keep your winter clothing on. Heavy layers can hold air for warmth and some buoyancy, especially a snowmobile suit.
- Head back toward where you entered. That stretch is the likeliest to be strongest, while the way forward is a mystery.
- Lay your forearms and hands flat on solid ice. Picks, nails or sharpened screwdrivers add grip.
- Kick your legs and dig in the picks to slide onto the surface. If your clothes are heavy with water, rest on your elbows for a moment to let it drain.
- Once out, do not stand. Lie flat, then roll away from the hole to spread your weight.
Warm up right away
Get to a warm, dry, sheltered place as soon as possible. Agencies say moderate to severe cold-water hypothermia needs medical attention, because cold blood from the arms and legs returning to the heart can trigger a dangerous heart rhythm once you start to warm.
Carry picks where you can reach them
Ice picks are cheap, and many anglers wear them on a cord around the neck or keep them in a jacket pocket. Agencies suggest homemade versions from dowels, hardened nails and cord, with the points covered when not in use. Whatever material you choose should float in case you drop them.
Prepare before you go
- Wear a flotation device or a float suit if you can.
- Tell someone where you are headed and when you will be back.
- Keep a phone in a waterproof bag.
- Practice the self-rescue movement on dry ground until it feels automatic.