Physical Condition
If you plan on going out on the ice, you should be in fairly good shape in case an emergency arises. If you were to fall through the ice, you will need
to stay afloat for as long as possible. You could up being in a situation that calls for saving someone else’s life. Either way, it is smart to make sure
you are in good shape before you head out onto the ice.
Clothing
Choosing your clothing is very important. Make sure your skin is covered to protect you from cold temperatures, wind and precipitation. Try to stay
as light as possible so you can be more mobile on the ice. If you end up in the water, you don’t want to have a ton of heavy clothing wearing you
down. Some of the newer outdoor clothing on the market is made to keep you warm, but it is not as bulky as the outdoor clothing from a few years
back. If you can budget some of the higher quality clothing and jackets, you will be much safer in an emergency situation. As far as staying warm,
remember that you can always take off layers if you are warm, so bundle up for the cold weather. A personal flotation device should also be worn on
the ice. Nowadays, you can purchase a flotation device that will not inflate until you are submerged in water. These types of devices are not bulky,
which allows you to be comfortable when you are fishing on the ice.
Equipment
Bring the proper tools that will help you measure the ice, save yourself or to save others from an emergency. An ice auger, heavy chisel, measuring
tape and a perforated ladle will help you drill through the ice, clear out the hole and get an accurate measurement of the ice thickness. Rope and ice
picks will help you save yourself or someone else. Rope can be used to pull someone out of the water and the ice picks can be used to get a grip on
the ice to pull yourself out of the water.
Make a set of rules to follow
- Don’t go out on the ice alone.
- Don’t go out on the ice if there is any question of its safety.
- Track the air temperature on days leading up to your outing as well as on the day you plan on heading onto the ice.
- Let someone know your plans – time of arrival, departure and even some GPS points of where you will be.
- Be very observant of the ice before you step onto it. Look for open water, cracks, changes in the water level, running water, wet areas on the
ice and anything else that might help you find weak spots in the ice.
- Use your chisel to probe ahead of yourself. If the chisel breaks through, turn around and retrace your steps back to shore.
- Follow the leader’s path on the ice. Stay 10 to 15 feet behind when heading out onto the ice.
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