Safety on the Ice

A lot of people treat autumn as the end of fishing until spring; well not me! I look at the onslaught of winter as another season just getting starting. The open water fishing is over for the year when the ice is too thin to walk on, and too thick to hack a path out of the harbor to open water. This is the time of year I get cabin fever and start to have withdrawal symptoms. Two or three weeks of this and it's time to look for a marriage counselor!

If it weren't for ice fishing, many of us die-hard anglers would be climbing the walls by January 1st, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a natural progression to the new season. If it weren't for ice fishing, I'd hate winter all together.

There are a few things you'll need to know before venturing out onto that frozen water.

Strong winds and even currents can snap off big chunks of ice, maybe the one you are sitting on. You could be in for an unexpected helicopter ride. Oh and by the way, if you do happen to go for a ride on a Coast Guard chopper, you can kiss your equipment good-bye. This also includes your snowmobile, four wheeler, and yes even your car, because they won't let you bring anything on board except your body. You may even be charged for your extraction, and also billed for the removal of your vehicle, by a salvage company. The entire bill could be in the thousands!

Safety is your number one concern, and should never be overlooked or compromised for any reason. Even if there are people out there, but the ice doesn't look or feel safe, Don't venture out. Sometimes fools can be found by the dozen!

I watch in bewilderment every year as young and old, creep their way across crackling ice, some nearly escaping a good cold soaking. Hey I like fishing as much as the next guy, but I won't risk my life for it; nor should you!

One of my best investments in winter gear was a Mustang survival suit. The Mustang keeps me warm even on those blistering cold days. It is totally windproof, and some days I've even baked in it when everyone around me was about ready to call it quits. Really the only thing that was cold on my body were my feet, and that was due to crummy boots. A new pair of Sorel muks are on my shopping list already!

Once you've tried the mustang suits, you will never need, nor want to fish in anything else; cumbersome heavy cold weather clothing are a thing of the past. Mustang suits aren't cheap though, right around the $300+ mark, but I look at it as money well spent! Save the snowmobile suits for snowmobiles.

When I first came home with the Mustang suit, I was quickly grilled and chastised about the amount of money I paid for the suit, but I skillfully talked my way out of it by means of a carefully placed guilt trip, the conversation ended there!

I strongly recommend that you buy a Mustang survival suit or at least the floating jacket if you are around any type of cold water. Any type of Mustang gear will not only keep you afloat, but will keep you warm to a certain degree. Helping to prevent vital loss of body heat from the chest area, prolonging the onset of hypothermia, and increasing your survival rate. My Mustang and I shall never part ways, as long as I'm ice fishing!

Ice spikes should be another item you carry on a regular basis. It can be very difficult to climb out of a hole when your wet clothing is dragging you down. The ice spikes will help you claw your way out of the hole.

If you can't find these in a store, a pair can be easily made for five bucks or so, with a pair of eight inch spikes or nails, and a couple of rolls of hockey tape. Cut the nails to a desired length, and wrap the ends with hockey tape, remembering to put in a loop of rope where your hand will go into. Sharpen ends to a nice point, and place old wine corks over the tips.

In the event that you do happen to break through thin ice, the first thing to remember is to Remain Calm! Flailing uncontrollably will only cause you to waste significant amounts of energy. Your body temperature to drop quickly, to dangerous levels.

Getting out of the water is the next important thing. The longer you stay in the water, the less likely you'll survival your ordeal.

Remove some of your excess clothing including boots, so you become more buoyant. Wet clothing will only tire you out, and drag you underwater.

If you don't have a set of spikes, try to get a hold of the ice with your hands and start kicking your legs to propel yourself onto the ice and at the same time wiggling the upper half of your body, moving yourself to safety. This is not an easy task under the circumstances, but it can be done. Speed is of the utmost importance at this point.

Once out of the water, lay flat and do not stand up. Your body weight is being spread out across a larger piece of ice than it would if you were standing. Slowly roll or crawl to safety. Water will freeze quickly, making it hard or next to impossible to walk, so once you are safe find shelter and seek assistance quickly.

Remove all clothing , and try to warm your body slowly, especially your chest area. This is where the most body heat is lost from. It is most important that you don't warm the body with very warm or hot water. Take a luke warm bath. You will have a very hard time distinguishing between warm and hot water, so let someone do it for you if you can. Tissue can easily be damaged if the water is not the right temperature.

If you are being rescued by someone, the first thing to remember is Not to Panic. Help the rescuer as much as possible. Listen to what the person is saying and do exactly what you are told. Professionals have had extensive training in this type of rescue, so it is imperative that you follow directions!

A few added extras that are also recommended are hand held flares, especially the "Sky Rocket" type, as these will be seen at a greater distance, not being impaired by uneven ice.

Those chemical hand warmers, which are sealed in a plastic bag, are also great, but should Never be used to warm frostbitten skin. The intense and rapid heat these put out Will damage tissue! Only use them to warm hands or feet slightly, and don't put them directly against skin.

Ice Creepers or Corkers are another item that I highly recommend. These will give you sure footing on slippery ice possibly preventing a serious fall and back injury.

Some of the most simple and common sense items like good gloves, hats, boots and socks are sometimes overlooked. Buy only quality cold weather attire, you'll be warmer, and have a more enjoyable time if you do.

Many people become stranded or worse yet die each year due to foolishness out on the ice. Respect the ice, and you won't have a problem. Remember it controls you, not the other way around!

Eat, Sleep, and Ice-Fish Safely!

Eric E.Noeldechen.

Any Questions, ideas or comments please drop me a note at ericn@mnsi.net.