So what if....?

[bigsid]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I'll ask anyway given the recent ice conditions and a couple "pucker factor" posts. I'll cut right to the chase.

What would you do to avoid (or at least try to) breaking through if the ice starts cracking around you? Would you....
slowly turn and walk back?
turn and try to move quickly without panicking?
get on your belly and do the "polar bear"?
any other ideas?

I'm not condoning going out on dangerous ice by any means, but I know there's bound to be a time when you're on an unfamiliar lake and like mentioned in another post, you walk over a spring or something that could be snow covered or otherwise. I guess the obvious choice would be to carry or wear some sort of PFD, but most don't. I'm curious if anyone else has any ideas or even thinks about such things.

Thanks...Sid

[The Whale]

Dang, makes me shudder just thinking about this question. :tdo12:

OK, here goes;

First, try to get my mind prepared for a big, shocking cold hit that may come !

IF I knew the depth, AND it was shallower than my height, immediately begin the slide step backward, no turning, just throw it in reverse.

If I didn't know the depth, go flat, and do the "Polar Bear" as you say backward out of the cracking area. Gently, NO thumping on the ice, spread out the weight and shimmy on out of there.

Oh I don't like the thought of this EVER happening !!! :bloos: :xzicon_sm :yikes: :D

[Ju30-30]

As long as you can handle that initial shock you should be ok. I saw a guy do it on tv. The shock makes you start gasping for air which makes you gulp in water causing you to drown. If you can resist the gulping and try to relax you will be far better off.

[greeneman5]

dont know if you saw this yet, but check it out

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200212/200212_popsicle_splash.html#


Mike

[UNCLE AL]

Those were some really good videos,makes you think about going out on any ice.
I went through on a 3-wheeler years ago on Saginaw Bay, it happened so fast, that you don't have time to think.Fortunately for me the water was only 4 feet deep, and I could stand up and get out. The sad part was that all my stuff sank, and I went back in to get it out. After getting out, and getting the 3-wheeler started, I drove about 20 feet and went through again. When I got to shore where my truck was, my clothes were frozen to the point that I could barely move.
Everyone needs to be cautious whenever they're on the ice.

[hardwaterfan]

in my experiences falling through the ice, once you start heading under, there is nothing you can do. its too late.

prevention is the key.....reading the ice and avoiding areas which are prone to be unstable such as ice near shorline areas, areas of very shallow, mucky, weedy water, areas of structurally unsound ice such as ice that has broken apart and refrozen, etc. etc. etc.....

the only thing you should do is to try to keep your head above water!! very important if possible. drop all your gear off to the sides if possible for recovery and spread your arms out to hold onto the ice and start kicking to keep yourself "up". then slide yourself out.

if you arent strong enough to pull yourself out then it makes a good case for wearing a pfd.

if you really feel that the ice is cracking and going to break then just walk backwards to stay on the same ice that you walked out on. but i think that if it was going to give that you wouldnt have time to do anything, you would start sinking before you could even think about what to do.

these are just my opinions from my experiences.

cracking ice may be just pressure release if the ice is forming.

[UNCLE AL]

Does anyone know where a suit like the one in the snowmobile video can be bought?

[stinger63]

If you can resist the gulping and try to relax you will be far better off.

Great idea as long as your heart is strong and you dont have heart attack 1st!

[Cherokee]

Sid:

Not exactly what you're after but here's my two cents on the ice cracking thing:

When I venture out on first ice , regardless of the thickness, you'll see me with a PFD strapped on. If the ice is 3" or less it stays on regardless of the time of season. At all times during the season, I wear a pair of ice picks wrapped around me - sort of like a bandaliera. At 220# ( probably 250# with all my gear in hand) and with two young kiddos ; who needs the risk? I have an adjustable PFD that goes from 3-7XL that fits over all my ice fishing garb. I love it when we have "safe" ice ( 4" in my book ) and I don't have to wear it...otherwise I don't mind the hassle ; lesser of two evils so to speak...you'll never see me out on the ice if it's less than 2". I'll just be moping around on shore - alive!

Yes, I may look odd, but as you'll hear me say " I'd rather be an anonymous "geek" than a front page headline!!!"

Can't wait for "safe" ice again!!!

Rob

[bigsid]

Yes, I may look odd, but as you'll hear me say " I'd rather be an anonymous "geek" than a front page headline!!!"

That's a good point Rob! Yeah, I believe I'm going to have to look into a PFD of some sort. I do tend to get a little impatient at first ice!

Sid

[Banditto]

Been through a couple times. Also swam polar bear for 4 years...

being relaxed helps a lot. Thinking warm thoughts will deter the shock and also using your head to get out.

Last time it happened I had dry clothes in my sled. Changing out of the wet ones into cold dry ones sounds painful but it really paid off. Get the attention of anybody around to get help immediately. Don't try to be the tough guy.

[mallardtone-man]

:yeahthat: A very good point. I have a buddy that often times wear a PFD under his jacket when we fish. He is a bigger guy, and says that it actually keeps him warm. I just try to be careful. I have not been out in a while. The area I fish most of the time is shallow, with alot of houses nearby, and I am pretty sure I could get out, but why risk dying, or loosing hundreds of $$ of gear. I will wait untill I feel safe.

When I was a young kid, I actually fell through a large, unmarked poorly frozen over spearing hole :rant: :bash:, and I was not strong enough to get out, but I was able to hold on for a few mins before my dad and uncle hauled me out.