*** Please print this page and study these facts - it may save your life ***

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I found the information below from the City of Yellowknife's website. I found it to be informative as well as interesting…. Click HERE for the article

 

Basic Ice Facts

Once you understand the physical properties and problems with ice, you can understand why ice is so unpredictable and why the only absolute safety factor for ice is to stay off. If you are an ice fisherman, cross-country skier, ice skater, snowmobiler or ice boater, however, staying off the ice is going to crimp your winter fun. So, for those who venture onto the ice, whether on foot or in a vehicle, here are some tips to lessen your chance of a breakthrough:

Ice fishing requires at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) of clear, solid ice, and a snowmobile requires 15 centimeters (6 inches). Automobiles and light trucks require at least 20-30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) of ice. Remember these are merely guidelines - all the factors mentioned previously must be considered!

Before you head onto ice, check with an elder, the fire department, or the RCMP for known thin ice areas or aeration operations which have created open water.

Refrain from driving on the ice with your car or truck whenever possible. Traveling on ice in a vehicle, especially early or late in the season, is simply an accident waiting to happen.

If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry. Unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple plan of action in case you break through. Some safety experts recommend the doors be left open and windows down for an easy exit.

Parking a vehicle in one spot tends to weaken ice. When ice thickness is marginal, prolonged parking is not recommended. Vehicles should be moved from time to time so the ice can resume its "normal" position and shape. A car parked on ice one foot thick will depress the ice an inch within a diameter of 200 feet. Cars parked close together may increase the load beyond the bending limit, causing the ice to break. Bending, however, gives added buoyancy since the ice becomes somewhat boat-shaped as it rests on the water underneath. But if the ice cracks, the added buoyancy is lost. A car surrounded by ice cracks has only the buoyancy of that single piece to support it. In any case, when driving across ice which has cracked and refrozen, cross the cracks at right angles and avoid parking near them.

If you drive on ice, remember it is only a film across a water surface. Weight moving across this film causes it to bend up and down in the form of long waves which roll out and away from a vehicle as it moves across the ice. U.S. Army researchers discovered that wave action may crack the ice if the vehicle is moving at a "critical speed." Speeds above or below this critical speed substantially reduce the danger of cracking. Higher speeds are usually not recommended for other reasons, except over very shallow water. So it is recommended that you drive slowly under most circumstances. Following closely behind other cars is not recommended, since you may interrupt their wave action with your own, causing a break in what would otherwise be sound ice. Also keep in mind speeding or improper ice road procedures may result in hefty fines upwards of $800 - $1000 dollars not to mention the danger to your life and property.

Often cars will establish roads from shore to the current fishing "hotspot." After repeated use, these roads may cause the ice to weaken. Therefore, they may not be the safest route.

If you're on a snowmobile or driving a vehicle, be especially cautious at night or when it is snowing. The falling snow or darkness obscures thin ice or open holes.

Should you break through the ice, proper clothing can increase your chances of survival. An ordinary nylon snowmobile suit, if it is zipped-up, can trap air and slow the body's heat loss. Do not flail about, as this may cause the air pockets to "disappear," thus decreasing buoyancy. Some commercially available snowmobile suits are available with inflatable flotation elements and/or built in floatation devices. You can also use one of the vest type, foam, personal flotation devices (PFD or life preserver) from your boat. One of these devices worn outside your outer clothing will keep you warm (like an insulated vest), help conserve body heat, and keep you afloat. (Caution: Don't wear a PFD if you are inside a car or truck traveling on the ice. If your vehicle submerges, the PFD could hamper your escape).

Carry a couple of large nails with caps on the sharp end and a length of light nylon rope in your pocket. These are called "awls." The nails can help you pull yourself out of the water and onto the surface of the ice. Use the line to rescue someone else. If you make your own awls, remember to put a cap on the sharp end so they don't injure you if you fall down.

Two short lengths of broom handle with nails sharpened on both ends and joined with piece of string can be carried easily in a pocket. Remember to put caps on the sharp ends. In case of emergency, and while kicking, drive the nails into the ice ahead, and pull yourself to safety.

Basic Ice Safety

What to do if a companion falls through thin ice?

What if you fall in?