In Our Backyard: Safety on the ice

    Going out on the ice? Think twice! Know the ice conditions and be prepared if the worst should happen and you or a companion fall through the ice.
    Go safely! If you are headed out to go skating, ice fishing, or snowmobiling, check first to be sure the ice is safe. As of late December, The Maine Warden Service has been urging people not to venture out onto any ice on Maine waterways. The state’s lakes and ponds may appear to be frozen over, but safe ice conditions cannot be assumed.
    Bbefore you go out – check the ice thickness. Although many factors can cause ice to be unsafe, there are some guidelines for the recommended thickness of new, clear, solid ice: 4 inches of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot; 5 inches is the minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs; and 8 to 12 inches is recommended for cars or small trucks.
    You can test the thickness using an ice chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1/4 inch drill with a long bit. You can ask at a gas station or bait shop about known thin ice areas. Also, don’t drive on ice unless you have to. If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry — keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and discuss a simple emergency plan of action with your passengers.
    What if a companion falls through thin ice? Keep calm and think out a solution. Don’t run up to the hole. You’ll probably break through and then there will be two victims. Use an item on shore to throw or extend to the victim to pull them out of the water such as jumper cables or skis, or push a boat ahead of you. If you can’t rescue the victim immediately, call 911. Get medical assistance for the victim after a rescue. People who are subjected to cold water immersion but seem fine after being rescued can suffer a potentially fatal condition called “after drop” which occurs when cold blood that is pooled in the body’s extremities starts to circulate again as the victim starts to re-warm.
    What if you fall in? Remain calm and turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice. Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. Once you are lying on the ice, don’t stand. Instead, roll away from the hole. That will spread out your weight until you are on solid ice. This sounds much easier to do than it really is.
    The best advice is don’t put yourself in needless danger by venturing out too soon or too late in the season. Each year at least a few vehicles go through the ice on Maine’s lakes and ponds. Remember, those same lakes and ponds can easily become contaminated by submerged engines that release gasoline, battery acid and motor oil. So protect yourself and Maine’s waters by thinking twice before venturing on the ice.
    Our thanks to the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources for the following link: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html.
    In Our Back Yard is a column developed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. E-mail your environmental questions to infodep@maine.gov or send them to In Our Back Yard, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.