Learning Ice Safety

STAMFORD – Members of the Stamford Fire Department  were out in the cold last Thursday, familiarizing themselves with the department's cold water rescue gear. With recent cold temperatures, ice has been forming, and melting and reforming on local ponds and lakes. People, pets and wild animals often find themselves in danger when the ice they go on is not safe. There have already been a couple of incidents requiring cold water rescues in the region.

First responders were familiarizing themselves with the safety rules and rescue equipment to be prepared in the event they are needed for a cold water rescue. 

The biggest issue is knowing when the ice is safe. The ice the fire department was training on last week was not deemed safe. The ice was not clear and when they cut an opening to allow firefighters to enter open water you could see layers in the ice where the ice had formed and was covered with snow, melted and was covered with snow again. It was white/opaque, which is not deemed safe. You could also see open areas of water on the pond, which is another thing to note. It means there is flowing water which also affects the thickness of the ice. The ice will have different thickness depending on the flow of the water. Don't venture near the open areas and check the ice thickness in more than one spot.

There should be a minimum of four inches of clear ice  to support an average person's weight. Clear ice does not show layers.

If the ice is two inches thick or less, it is deemed extremely unsafe and it is recommended by all ice safety references that you stay off of it under all circumstances. 

The fire department members were utilizing personal protective gear, including life vests for anyone anywhere near the water and in the case of those on the ice, they were wearing wet suits to protect from the cold water and were attached to safety lines manned by people standing on shore.

The ice on Rexmere Lake was three to four inches thick, but it was not clear, therefore it  was able to hold an average weight person, but it wasn't deemed safe.

Thickness is one way to know if the ice is safe, the color of the ice is another way to tell how safe it is. When the color of the ice is transparent blue/black it is strong and safe. White and opaque, like the ice on Rexmere Lake, means it is weak and you should use extreme caution. Do not venture onto this ice unless it is very thick, according to ice safety references. Gray colored ice is weak, don't go on it and white and gray mottled is the weakest type of ice. You should simply stay off of it.

Ice thickness is not uniform across a body of water. You should always check the thickness of the ice in more than one area if you plan on crossing a body of water or staying on it for a long period of time or check with someone who is familiar with the body of water.

An easy way to remember which color is safe is to think "Thick and blue, tried and true - white and crispy way too risky." It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to ice safety. Remember that river ice is weaker than lake ice and ice near streams, spillways, inlets, outlets, dams, and even docks with bubblers is typically weaker than in other areas.

According to the Adirondack Hiking Guide:

•   When ice is white/opaque, it is only about half as strong as clear/blue ice. As such, if you plan on traveling over white/opaque ice, it should be twice as thick. Use extreme caution over white ice.

• When ice is gray or white/mottled gray, you should avoid it. These types of ice are the weakest and unsafe for any kind of travel or activities.

•   River ice is about 15-percent weaker than ice over non-running waters.

•   In addition, if you see bubblers (devices used to protect docks), don't walk on ice near them. Bubblers can make ice weak in the surrounding area.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), ice is unsafe, when:

•   Weak ice   appears milky and porous.   Do not venture out onto the ice.

•   Ice covered by snow   will likely be thinner and weaker.   It acts like an insulating blanket and slows the freezing process. A recent snowfall also can warm and melt existing ice.

• Stay away from   slushy ice, it is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates ice is no longer freezing from the bottom.

•   Ice may thaw during the day due to warm temperatures and refreeze at night, resulting in weak, spongy or honeycomb-like ice.

•   Ice is never 100-percent safe. Typically, ice does not usually freeze uniformly in one location, so it’s essential always to have a plan prepared before going on or around the ice. Here's what they recommend:

• Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

• Wear a life jacket and bright colored clothing.

• Take a cell phone for emergency use.

• Wear a whistle or pocket air horn around your neck in case there is no cell service. Those nearby are likely to hear your distress signal and it will help first responders determine your location.

• If walking with a group onto a frozen body of water, avoid single file – spread out.

•   Avoid large cracks or depressions in the ice.

•  Before going out on ice, check with a local source such as a bait shop or fishing guide that knows about current ice conditions.

•   Test ice thickness with an ice spud or chisel before you settle on a spot.

If you do fall through the ice, try to remain calm.

•   Don't remove winter clothing – heavy clothes, especially snowmobile suits, can trap air to provide warmth and flotation and should not drag you down.

• Turn back toward the direction you came from - that is probably the strongest ice.

•  Dig the points of your ice picks into the ice or spread your arms wide, vigorously kicking your feet, and pull yourself onto the surface by sliding forward on the ice.

• Do not stand up, roll away from the area of weak ice to distribute your weight and avoid breaking through the ice again.

•   Get to dry land and call 9-1-1. Seek medical attention if you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering, or any other symptoms of hypothermia.

•   For more ice and cold water safety tips, visit the   National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

Recommended ice safety tools include: Bring an ice safety kit that includes rope, ice picks, a whistle, a cell phone or VHF radio, spiked shoes, an emergency first aid kit, extra clothes, and blankets. You could also bring:

•   Ice cleats or creepers   attach to boots and consist of adjustable straps or rubber overshoes with metal teeth or spikes, which provide traction on ice and help prevent falls.

•   An   ice spud.   A long-handled blade that comes to a point on one side. You can also use an   ice chisel   to punch a hole through the ice before you take a step to check the thickness.

•   Always bring   two ice safety picks   and wear them around your neck so they are within reach. The picks can be stuck into the ice and then used to pull yourself back out if you fall through.

•   Keep a   floating rescue rope   in an easily accessible location. If someone falls through, you may be able to assist by throwing the rope from a safe distance. If you should fall through, throw one end of the floating rope to a rescuer.

If you, someone else, or a pet falls through the ice, there are a few different steps you should follow.

If you fall through the ice, you will have about 2-5 minutes before the cold water begins to really affect you. During that period, you should kick your legs, grasp for nearby ice, and get yourself horizontal on it. If you have ice picks, you can use them to pull yourself onto the ice. Once you get yourself out of the water, roll toward thicker ice. As soon as you are off the ice, the next step is to work fast to prevent hypothermia.

If someone else falls through the ice, and you can't reach them from shore, the first step should be to throw them a rope, tree branch, jumper cable, or other object. If nothing is available, you should go for help and call 911. Once the person is out of the water, you'll want to work fast to prevent hypothermia.

If your pet falls through the ice, your first instinct may be to help them. However, if the ice isn't thick enough for your pet, it won't be for you. What you should do is get help and call 911.