Some of my favorite winter memories growing up were of skiing, sledding and playing ice hockey on a local pond with friends. Whether we were sliding across the ice with a pair of skates or only our winter boots, the excitement was nearly the same. The excitement one day however, turned to fear in an instant when I fell through the ice.
Like many of us not wanting to go swimming after watching the movie JAWS, I experienced the same fear of venturing back out onto the ice. Even though this year we have been experiencing unseasonably mild weather, ice and cold water safety is still a concern. Ice covered ponds and cold water can be very dangerous and caution should always be used. Daily changes in temperature cause the ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength. The thickness of ice is affected by, moving water in rivers, depth of water and natural objects such as tree stumps and rocks. Because of these factors, no one can declare the ice to be absolutely “safe”.
Let’s say you have taken all of the precautions and you’re going to try your luck on the ice. As you walk out on the ice, you hear a crack and fall through. Suddenly you find yourself immersed in water so cold it literally takes your breath away. The pain is excoriating! What should you do?
First, try not to panic. Also, don’t remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes will not drag you down, but instead can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. Turn towards the direction you walked onto the ice, chances are this will be the strongest ice. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. Kick your feet and try to work your way back onto the solid ice. If successful, lie flat and roll away from the hole to keep your weight spread out. This may help prevent you from breaking through again. Once you have reached shore, get to a warm dry sheltered area and seek medical attention.
What do you do if someone falls through the ice? How about a pet? Call 9-1-1 immediately. Always resist the urge to go out onto the broken ice. If someone has fallen through and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (ie. rope, tree branch, etc). If you are unable to reach them, continue to speak with them and reassure them help is on the way. Upon the arrival of safety personal, inform them of the location and how long the person has been in the water.
Being safe and having fun can go hand and hand. Always be sure to recognize the dangers of ice and do everything possible to prevent an accident.
These and other Fire Safety Tips can be found on the Mattapoisett Fire Department web page at www.mattapoisett.net. Any additional questions regarding Fire Safety, contact Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh at 508-758-4150 or by emailing: psaltmarsh@mattapoisett.net
By Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh
