Self-Rescue Technique
What to do if you fall through the ice on a lake or pond.
Falling through ice is a frightening and potentially life-threatening situation. With warmer weather, ice may appear safe, but not be strong enough to carry your weight.
The first thing you’ll feel is Cold!
You’ll experience 1-3 minutes of cold water shock.
Here are steps to self-rescue:
Stay Calm: during the first minute in the water, try to avoid panicking. Panic leads to hyperventilation and exhaustion, and makes it harder to think clearly and act effectively. Get your hyperventilation under control so you can concentrate on getting out.
Stay Afloat: immediately after falling through the ice, get to the surface and tread water to keep your head above water and stay afloat. Keep your hands and arms on the ice shelf if possible. Try to spread out your weight to reduce the risk of breaking ice off the rim. You have approximately 10 minutes to self-rescue.
Kick your Legs: use your legs to kick yourself onto the ice shelf. Do this in the direction you came from because you know the condition of the ice you were walking on. Try to propel yourself onto the ice using a horizontal motion rather than attempting to pull yourself straight up. This can distribute your weight more evenly.
Use Ice Tools: if you have ice picks, crampons, or other ice tools, use them to grip the ice and pull yourself out. If not, use your elbows and forearms to claw your way onto the ice. It’s Much more difficult without picks as the ice is even more slippery when wet. They list for a little as $10.
Roll Onto Ice: once you’ve pulled yourself partially onto the ice, lay flat, and either roll away from the hole, or inch away on your stomach.
Crawl to Safety: once you are fully back onto the ice, crawl or roll away from the hole to safer, thicker ice. Do not stand up until you are sure you are on solid ice.
Get Warm and Dry: after self-rescuing, it's essential to get warm and dry as quickly as possible to prevent hypothermia. Remove your wet clothing and replace it with dry layers if available. Seek shelter and warmth immediately.
Seek Medical Attention: even if you feel okay after a fall through the ice, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Hypothermia can set in quickly, and cold water exposure can have long-term health effects.
It's important to note that self-rescue from icy water can be extremely challenging and may not be possible in all situations. If you are unable to self-rescue or are struggling to get out of the water, shout for help and try to attract the attention of others nearby. If you witness someone else falling through the ice, call for emergency assistance immediately and do not attempt to rescue them yourself unless you have been trained in ice rescue techniques and have the necessary equipment.
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