Page 4 - FEB2022

Page 4
Community
By Donna rhoDes
REGION – “Thick and blue, tried and true; Thin and crispy, way too risky” is a common rule of thumb for those heading out onto the ice, whether that be Newfound Lake, Lake Winni- pesaukee, or any other bodies of water both big and small. How- ever, those who get excited when they hear a lake or pond has iced over each winter should remem- ber some safety factors before heading out for fishing or other recreational purposes.
Fish and Game and other safety officials caution that just because temperatures have been below freezing for several days, it doesn’t always mean that the ice is safe. In fact, ice doesn’t form consistently on a body of water, no matter how big or small it may be. Wind, springs, inlets, and out- lets forming currents and docks, rocky shorelines, or downed trees can affect ice conditions on lakes and ponds. Snow-covered ice can be deceptive, too, as well as up and down temperatures that can also change the strength of the ice cover.
“Caution is in order for those going out onto any ice, especially following the recent extreme fluctuations in tempera- ture and precipitation,” Colonel
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
February 2022
Ice and Snow Means Take It Slow
Kevin Jordan, Chief of Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Division, said in a recent press release. “With erratic weather conditions, some areas of ice may look safe, but may not be. Therefore, we are urging people to check the ice thickness before going out onto any frozen water body.”
First of all, people should examine the appearance of ice along a shoreline before heading out onto a lake or pond. If it is cracked or “squishy,” Fish and Game advises that it is unsafe. Because ice is not uniform across any body of water, it should also be checked frequently when trav- eling away from the shore. An ice chisel or an auger to cut through the surface will help determine how thick and strong it is in each location. Thick ice does not al- ways mean it’s strong. Warming temperatures can cause ice to break down and then refreeze once the temperatures drop again. That fluctuation will cause the ice to be weaker.
Jordan said that while all ice is potentially hazardous, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover advises that there should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice when travel-
As temperatures plummet over Newfound Lake and other bodies of water, bob houses are popping up, snowmobiles are out and about, and N.H. Fish and Game wants to remind people to be safe while out on the ice for any recreational purposes. Photo by Donna Rhodes
ing on foot. For groups of peo- ple gathered in one location, or those who travel by snowmobiles and off-road recreational vehi- cles, there should be 8-10-inches of ice for safety purposes. Offi- cials never advise driving a car or truck out onto frozen water.
Among other safety tips, it’s recommended that people never go out on the ice alone. The buddy system is essential should any unexpected incident occur. People should also stay off any ice during winter thaw periods. Keep an eye out for thin, clear, or honeycombed ice, along with dark snow or ice that can indi- cate a weak spot. Small bodies of water typically freeze thicker
than ice on larger lakes, rivers, and brooks, which can be weaker due to winds, currents, and wave action.
People should also be equipped for an emergency when out on the ice. First aid kits, a rescue rope, float coat or life preserver, and ice picks that can be hung around the neck can provide immediate assistance to someone who gets injured or falls through the ice.
Should someone fall through the ice, they should remain calm, put both arms up on the unbro- ken ice and kick hard to help raise them up onto the surface. Having ice picks to grip on to safer ice will also help get them to safety. Once out of the water, they should roll, not walk, from the hole until they get to thicker ice.
Seeing someone fall through the ice has its own rules of cau- tion, too; never race to the area to assist anyone without consid- ering how to keep yourself safe first. Rescuers begin by looking for something to reach out to
the submerged person, such as a rope, board, or even a branch. A group of people can also lie down on the ice, grabbing each other’s feet to form a human chain as they reach out for the person who fell through.
“After securing the person, don’t stand (disperse your weight by wiggling) backwards to the solid ice,” officials say. “The victim may need artificial respi- ration, CPR, or treatment for hy- pothermia (cold exposure). Cover the victim with a warm blanket or extra clothing and seek medi- cal assistance immediately.”
This information is not meant to deter people from venturing out on the ice but to educate them on the risks, inform them on ways to stay safe and finally, how to deal with emergencies should one ever occur. Educated recreationalists are safer when they understand the precautions they should take when walking, fishing, snowmobiling, skating and cross-country skiing along the beautiful lakes and ponds of New Hampshire.
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