Falling through the ice. What to do?

[Steve Rowbotham]

Yesterday, while filming an ice report on a local lake, we came across some very unsafe ice.  We decided to try and show an audience what to do if you fall through.  I try and do this every couple of years in a controlled environment, so that I feel comfortable if it actually happens.  Always have safety gear, especially in early season.  Float suit, ice picks, rope and a friend will save your life.

[Oscoda Ice]

Great "tutorial". Thank you for sharing.

-Kyle

[hardwater diehard]

[wallyworld]

Always good to review....thanks for sharing !!

[uncleshorty]

Safest way to "self rescue"?  Don't fall through in the first place.

Accidents don't "happen".  They are caused by people not understanding the risks, making bad decisions and refusing to believe the facts about where they are and what they trying to do.

You fall through it's on you.  "An ounce of prevention..."

[walleyes]

Safest way to "self rescue?  Don't fall through in the first place.

Accidents don't "happen".  They are caused by idiots not understanding the risks, making bad decisions and refusing to believe the facts about what they are trying to accomplish.

You fall through it's on you.  Don't be an idiot...

Pretty simple isn't it you would think this would just make sense to people but nope,, ah the human race lol.

[1moslab]

 

[1moslab]

Thanks for sharing guys I think most adults know accidents can happen.

[walleyes]

Don't want to drag this out but no ! Accidents don't happen they are caused. When a human walks out onto  3' of ice and falls through thats not an accident it was caused plain and simple.

Whenever there’s an accident, whether the result is a fatality or a broken plate or anything in between, someone is sure to ask: "How did it happen?"

The answer should always be the same: "It didn’t happen; it was caused." And it’s almost always possible to trace it back to somebody—or several somebodies—who fell down on their job somewhere along the line. Either they did something they shouldn’t have done, or they failed to do something they should have done.

[1moslab]

Thanks for sharing guys I think most adults know accidents can happen.

.       

[wallyworld]

Speaking again for us mere mortals, thanks for sharing, in case we cause ourselves to take a dip 

[tswoboda]

Don't want to drag this out but no ! Accidents don't happen they are caused. When a human walks out onto  3' of ice and falls through thats not an accident it was caused plain and simple.

Whenever there’s an accident, whether the result is a fatality or a broken plate or anything in between, someone is sure to ask: "How did it happen?"

The answer should always be the same: "It didn’t happen; it was caused." And it’s almost always possible to trace it back to somebody—or several somebodies—who fell down on their job somewhere along the line. Either they did something they shouldn’t have done, or they failed to do something they should have done.

Just because falling through thin ice is usually caused by poor judgment and decisions doesn't mean it's not still an accident!



And who pissed in your cheerios this morning?

[uncleshorty]

Geeze, if you fall through ice it's your own fault.  Man up, you did something stupid.  Take responsibility for your stupidity.  Why's that so hard for some guys to understand?

[tswoboda]

Geeze, if you fall through ice it's your own fault.  Man up, you did something stupid.  Take responsibility for your stupidity.  Why's that so hard for some guys to understand?

I'm not arguing that; I agree 100%.  People make poor decisions all the time, and I'm probably a poster child for that.  There's nothing wrong with being prepared for going through the ice.  Thanks to the OP for the PSA vid!

It's funny how guys are getting butthurt about the word accident.  I posted the definition for you.

[Rizzman]

Thanks for sharing. It is a eye opener for sure. Good lessons learned

[wallyworld]

Guess because falling thru the ice is your own fault, some feel you shouldn't have the knowledge to save yourself 

[walleyes]

You are all right it is good info to have. Sorry for sounding harsh I didn’t mean it that way. My apologies.

[Raquettedacker]

When I get a wet foot I yell pretty loud like a girl than start cussing pretty good .......
I have only been in up to my waist and that's enough for me..
Be safe all and have a good season....

[uncleshorty]

I'm not saying not to be prepared.  That would be ANOTHER batch of stupidity.  My point was, if you go in you've done something, (or somethings), foolish.

What I am saying is accidents, ANY accidents, are caused.  They don't just happen.  It's funny how some guys are getting "butthurt", (tswoboda's word, not mine), over that fact.

[slipperybob]

If I fall through the ice, leave me with my Thorne Bros rods...

[filetandrelease]

Well I cant disagree , but does it matter your fault my fault , it’s nice to know what to do if you take a dip, I  have been involved in a few rescues over the years people and equipment, and have seen my share of bad things happen in my 35 years in construction, I’m just glad everyone is still on the top side taking in air

[Nipissing43]

Always good to review....thanks for sharing !!

Wow that guys is crazy.  Been there and don't want to go back - lol.  Some really information and review.  Thanks for posting guys. 

[Unclegillhunter]

Two young men killed by a loaded concrete truck falling on them while they sat a a light waiting to make a turn. What did they do wrong? How could they have prepared for that? Accidents do happen!
I guess that sometimes you can’t keep it safe no matter how prepared you are!
Keep, the t safe! JDL

[VDueslerIV]

thank you for the reminder to be safe and show how to get out in the event this happens. best rule of thumb...spud walk 2 spud walk 2 spud walk two

[taxi1]

Wasn't impressed by either video. If you don't have picks the first video isn't going to help you. Best video I have seen shows kicking and simultaneously getting up on the ice on your back. It works really well. I know I did it once. Trying to lift yourself up with your arms doesn't work that well, especially if you are getting weak, your clothes are getting water logged and weighing you down, or the ice is slick. The main thing is to use your head and not panic.

What happened to me was kind of funny actually. I was on a pier on my pond with my dog on a lease. I noticed a small hole in the ice next to the pier and reached out with my boot to see what the deal was. Next thing I know I've lost my balance and I'm in the water and the dog is still on the pier with the retractable lease in my hand  looking down at me like, "What are you doing down there?"

I ran to the house with only one boot and the dog after I quickly got out. The other boot floated up a about a week later when the ice thawed completely.

[Neil McCauley]

If you don't have ice picks around your neck on early ice, you're being stupid.

[1moslab]

If you don't have ice picks around your neck on early ice, you're being stupid.

.       what he said

[taxi1]

1. I'm not stupid I have a 138 I.Q. 

2. I don't go on early unsafe ice. 

3. The kick and push off on my back worked extremely well. Slid right out on the ice like a seal.

I don't care if you have the picks, pulling your body weight up with saturated clothes is hard to do. It's like doing a pull up, and for those of you that are overweight and out of shape it can be a challenge.

[1moslab]

Kick your legs like hell and try to come up like a seal on your belly .

[taxi1]

Kick your legs like hell and try to come up like a seal on your belly .

On my back worked just fine and didn't have to kick that hard.