Out & About: Think before heading out onto the ice

OUTFALL – Venturing on to an ice-capped lake for fishing, skating or simply for getting from here to there should never be taken lightly. It can be safe one day and prone to a breakthrough a few days later.

Ice over moving water is particularly untrustworthy and vulnerable to varying thickness.

Savvy ice fishermen use their augers to cut test holes as they scope out a place to fish that has at least 3 or 4 inches of clear ice. Having a partner a safe distance away with a rope is standard procedure when scouting new ice.

Two hand-size ice picks on a cord that hangs around your neck are cheap insurance to assure you can crawl you way out of an ice hole should you break through. They are sold in stores that supply ice fishing gear.

Beyond that, consider these tips compiled by the U. S. Swim School Association to help you survive breaking through the ice.

Brace yourself: Gasping for air and hyperventilating are the body’s immediate reaction to cold water. Ingesting freezing water into your lungs is a bad way to set up for a self-rescue.

Keep calm: The body loses 32 times more heat in cold water than in cold air. Flailing your arms releases even more precious heat. Keep your head above the water. Grab onto the ice in the direction from which you came since it’s already indicated it can hold your weight.

Keep clothing on: Taking off a winter coat might seem appropriate, but you need it on to retain body heat. Air trapped in the clothing will offer some buoyancy.

Get horizontal: Lean up and onto the ice, kick legs up to a horizontal position and keep kicking to propel your torso onto the ice. Ice picks simplify this maneuver.

Roll away: Do not stand up when you get out. Roll over the ice and away from the hole to spread your weight and reduce the chance of breaking through again.

Retrace your steps: Upon reaching better ice, trace your footsteps back to safety.

Throw, don’t go: If you witness someone fall through the ice, throw a lifesaving device, branch, coat or rope into the water and tow the victim to safety. Going out on the fragile ice risks having two victims in the water.

Get warm: Once out of the water, seek medical attention to carefully bring body temperature back to normal.