DNR offers ice safety tips after recent accidents
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges the public to practice ice safety on all of Wisconsin’s waterbodies and remember that no ice is safe ice as they venture outdoors this winter.
Recent water rescues serve as chilly reminders that early-season ice on any Wisconsin waterbody is thin, weak and potentially life-threatening to anyone looking to get a jump on winter fun. None of the early-season breakthrough rescues were fatal incidents.
“Temperature swings, strong winds, currents and underground springs feeding lakes and rivers vary widely across Wisconsin,” said Major April Dombrowski, DNR recreational safety and outdoor skills section chief. “These factors are why no ice is ever considered safe, especially not this early in the season.”
The following are some tips from the DNR to stay safe on the ice this season.
Get ice status from local sources The DNR does not monitor ice conditions. If your plans include access to or use of an ice-covered waterbody, contact your local fishing clubs, bait shops or outfitters for ice conditions.
“These places routinely check ice conditions and can give you the best and most current conditions,” said Dombrowski. “If you can plan your outing without any travel over ice, do it. And if you are going to be on some ice, let someone know your plans and follow them.”
Conditions vary on waterbodies A waterbody can have its own characteristics. Check if the lake has inlets and outlets. Know whether its narrows are spring-fed or have currents like rivers, both of which can thin the ice. Some smaller lakes have aerators that are run throughout the winter, either covering a large area towards the center of the lake or smaller aerators placed by private property landowners adjacent to their shore and piers.
It is equally as important to stay alert for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and resulting open water. They are often created, move or grow with changes in temperatures and high winds. Pressure ridges and ice heaves can happen on Wisconsin’s largest lake, Lake Winnebago, a popular home to sturgeon spearers, and the Bay of Green Bay.
Ice safety basics Here are a few basic ice safety tips to remember: -- Carry a charged cell phone in a waterproof bag or case, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
-- Wear proper clothing and equipment. Dress warmly in layers and make sure to include a life jacket or a float coat, to help you stay afloat and to help maintain body heat.
-- Wear ice creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
-- Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
-- Carry a few spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
-- Know before you go. Don’t travel in areas you are not familiar with and don’t travel at night or during reduced visibility.
-- Avoid inlets, outlets or narrow stretches that may have current that can thin the ice.
-- Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it.
-- Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.
What to do if you fall through ice If you fall in, remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.
1. Do not remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes can trap air, which can help provide warmth and flotation. This is especially true in a snowmobile suit.
2. Go back toward the direction you came. That is probably where you will find the strongest ice – and what lies ahead is unknown.
3. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. This is where a pair of nails, sharpened screwdrivers or ice picks are handy in providing the extra traction you need to pull yourself up onto the ice.
4. Kick your feet and dig in your ice picks to work your way back onto the solid ice. If your clothes have trapped a lot of water, you may have to lift yourself partially out of the water on your elbows to let the water drain before starting forward.
5. Once back on the ice, don’t try to stand up. Lie flat until you are completely out of the water, then roll away from the hole to keep your weight spread out. This may help prevent you from breaking through again.
6. Get to a warm, dry, sheltered area and warm yourself up immediately. In moderate to severe cases of cold-water hypothermia, you must seek medical attention. Cold blood trapped in your extremities can come rushing back to your heart after you begin to warm up. The shock of the chilled blood may cause ventricular fibrillation, leading to heart attack and death.
Visit dnr.wi.gov/Education/Outdoor-Skills/IceSafety for more information and instructions on creating ice claws.
