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Thin Ice Lifesaving Tips to Remember

Thin Ice Lifesaving Tips to Remember

You usually find out the ice is too thin only after you’ve raced a crack to safety, or, perhaps, after a bone-numbing dunking.

There’s an easier — and safer — method. With a buddy, start near the shore and bore a measuring hole through the ice. For the safest and most reliable readings, you’ll want to repeat this at various locations across the lake.

As a general rule, ice that is two inches thick will support one person on foot; ice four to seven inches is usually fine for small groups. Good ice (without wet cracks or frozen slush) eight to 12 inches thick should support a vehicle.

The municipality of Anchorage usually waits for a solid 12 inches of ice before maintaining ice for local skaters.

If you witness someone falling through the ice, call 911. Ideally, you can reach the victim with a branch, ladder, rope or other object. In nearly every situation, it is unwise to venture on to the ice during the rescue. If you must, in an effort to reach the person with a rope or stick, sprawl out on your belly to spread your weight across the ice and inch forward.