Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, and other ice sports are dangerous pursuits if you don't know if the ice is thick enough to support your weight. There are ways to measure the safety of ice, such as observing its color, testing its thickness, and taking into account temperature and local conditions. However, no sport on ice above water is ever without risk. When in doubt, don't take to the ice.

To step

1. Realize that ice is never completely safe. Circumstances and unseen or unknown factors can suddenly make seemingly safe ice dangerous. Take all care and precautions to avoid accidents and to implement rescue plans immediately should anything go wrong.
2. Make an emergency plan. Tell the people where you are going. If something goes wrong while you are testing or recreating, have the safety procedures you will be performing for immediate rescue on hand.
   • For starters, you need to be adequately dressed in clothes suitable for the cold weather. Wear some kind of flotation device (this can even be a boat life jacket), especially if you are testing or snowmobiling. Wear an ice pick for more grip when you sink through the ice. Never go out alone, but together with one or two others. Tell other people where you are and what time you expect to be home. This is no opportunity for a spontaneous invasion.
   • Keep a set of warm, dry spare clothes handy in a waterproof bag. This reduces the risk of hypothermia by immediately changing the wet clothes. Other useful supplies to have as part of an emergency kit include an emergency blanket, hand and foot warmers, thick socks, dry sweatpants, candles and matches. Pack such emergency supplies for all outdoor winter sports, even outdoor skating. See "Supplies" for more information.
3. Realize that determining ice safety depends on a combination of factors, not just one factor in itself. Ice safety is determined by assessing the following factors together:
   • Appearance of the ice - color, texture and characteristics
   • Thickness of the ice - there are recommended thicknesses for different activities, which are detailed below
   • Outside temperature during a certain time of the day
   • Snow cover
   • Depth of water under the ice
   • Size of the water body
   • Chemical composition of water - whether the water is fresh or salt
   • Local climate variations
   • The expansion of the ice
4. Prefer ice that is regularly checked by the authorities. These authorities can be a municipality, ice club or nature manager. Such a check must take place at least daily. Ask about the procedures followed if you want to learn more about satisfying yourself. In general, they have access to quality measurement tools and procedures, along with full training in dealing with ice and icing accidents. This saves you the risk of testing and can give you peace of mind. Nevertheless, continue to observe all safety precautions.
5. Ask the locals. If you are in an unfamiliar environment abroad, do not accept anything. Stop at a shop, cafe, or ski shop and ask for the ice, or go to a police or fire station and ask about known places that are dangerous and safer places in the area. People would rather help you now than have to drag you out of the water later.
6. Observe the ice. Look at the ice to see if you can see cracks, fractures, weak spots or abnormal surfaces and what color (s) the ice is. This is just a quick look to help you decide if it's even worth moving on to the next step of ice testing.
   • If you notice any of the following, you should refrain from further attempting to hit the ice:
     • Running water at or around the edges of the ice
     • Flowing water sources under the ice in ponds and lakes fed from a source.
     • Water flowing over the ice
     • Cracks, breaks or holes
     • Ice cream that appears to have thawed and re-frozen
     • Abnormal surfaces that are unfamiliar to you - eg ledges caused by current or wind
   • Remember this: Thick and blue is probably okay - thin and crunchy is way too risky.
7. Know what the color of the ice can mean. While it is a useful indicator, you shouldn't rely on color alone. For example, ice of any color subjected to running water underneath will be weaker than ice not subjected to that pressure. In general, you can deduce the following from the color of the ice:
   • Light gray to dark black - Melting ice, occurs even when the air temperature is below 0 ° C. It is unsafe and the low density cannot hold a charge, so stay away from it.
   • White to Opaque - Water-saturated snow freezes on top of the ice, forming another thin layer of ice. Usually it is weak because it is porous due to air pockets.
   • Blue to Clear - Has a high density, is very strong, and the safest ice to be on when thick enough. Stay off it if it is thinner than 10 cm.
   • Mottled and grainy or "rotten" ice - this is not so much about the color as the texture. This ice cream is thawing and grainy. It's deceiving - it may seem thick at the top, but languishes in the middle and at the base. Most commonly in the spring, it is often somewhat brown due to vegetable tannins, dirt and other natural materials that reappear as a result of thawing. Not even suitable for trying with a foot yourself.
8. Test the thickness of the ice. If you have already made your observations and you are still confident, you should confirm this by checking the thickness of the ice.
   • Test this with at least one other person (the buddy system). Wear a life jacket or a life preserver and use ropes that your buddy can use to pull you to safety if something goes wrong.
   • Only go out on the ice if it is firm along the bank. If it is grainy or cracked, it is unlikely to be safe to proceed as the ice along the banks is weakest.
   • Chop a small hole in the ice with an ax or awl, or use an ice drill to measure its thickness. Use a measuring device to determine the thickness.
   • Know the safety margins of the ice. There are recommended ice safety thickness measurements that you should establish for any activity performed. Ice is safe from about 10-15 cm thick. It is better not to walk on ice of 8 cm or less. But even at a thickness of 22-25 cm, there can be unforeseen dangers, such as a water flow weakening the bottom of the ice. In this case, even the thickness is not a good indicator of safety, as the ice can collapse at any time.
   • In general, the rules for ice thickness measurements are:
     • 7 cm (new ice) - Stay away
     • 10 cm - suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and hiking (about 100 kg)
     • 12 cm - suitable for a single snowmobile or ATV (about 400 kg)
     • 20-30 cm - suitable for one car, group of people (about 1500-2000 kg)
     • 30-38 cm - suitable for a light pick-up truck or van
   • These are generally used guidelines.
9. Understand that the carrying capacity of the ice does not have to be the same everywhere, even on the same water. The strength of ice is also affected by factors other than color and thickness. Also take into account:
   • The location of the ice: is it on a pond, a lake, a stream or is there clearly running water underneath? Is there a current in or out of the water body? This is cause for concern.
   • The composition of the water: is it fresh water or salt water? Sea ice is weaker and requires greater thickness to support the same weight as ice in fresh water. See the links below for more information on exact measurements.
   • Outdoor temperature and season: the temperature is constantly changing. Beware of microclimates in the area. In the middle of winter, the ice is much stronger than spring ice, which is subject to rapid thawing and warming sunshine.
   • The size and depth of the water body: Larger water bodies take longer to freeze than smaller ones.
   • The presence of snow on the ice: Snow can warm the ice because it acts as an insulator - ice under snow is generally thinner and weaker than ice without snow.
   • The weight that will be placed on the ice. Do you go on the ice alone or with a vehicle? There is a big difference in the weight distribution between a body and a snowmobile with that body on it.
10. When in doubt, look for alternatives. Skaters can always find an ice rink or a lake with lifeguards - snowmobiles and skiers can always stay on land instead of crossing the ice, hikers can stay off the ice and continue along the route with their snowshoes. Anyone who goes out should have emergency supplies with them, no matter how long you plan to be away or where you are going.

Tips

• Two people can cross uncertain ice with some safety margin by holding a canoe between them. Don't forget the paddles. When the ice breaks, you need them.
• In case you have to cross the ice, the best way to cross is to get on all fours and cross. Think about how a lizard almost moves, shifting your body weight evenly across your entire figure. It's a good idea to bring a long plank or pole. When it starts to crack - and sometimes you get one or two warnings - lay the pole flat on the ice and use it to distribute your weight.
• Know that repeated vehicle tracks or sidewalks can weaken the ice. Paths over the ice must be changed regularly.
• Notice if others go astray. If you are the designated authority (for a school, an athletic outing, etc.) or the supervisor, pay attention to the people leaving your demarcated area and have them return immediately. Make sure that sufficient markings are in place so that skaters, etc., cannot accidentally make a mistake and leave the tested area. Someone with first aid training must also be present, along with first aid and safety equipment.
• Going out on the ice in a dog sled is slightly safer, as dogs can feel the cracking of ice. However, don't take any chances and be just as prepared for accidents as you would with any other winter sport.
• If you have to skate on thin ice (literally), make sure the water depth is shallow (60-90 cm). When it breaks you are drenched and cold, but you can get on and off it and drag yourself back to shore with a very sheepish feeling. However, this is still not safe for children.
• Use a 12 cm or more drill bit to drill through the ice when it is clear. If it goes through the bottom of the ice, it may not be safe. Make sure an adult checks it first!

Warnings

• Don't assume sudden cold will make the ice safe. This can actually make the ice brittle and break much faster than warmer weather. Always check this.
• Never drink alcohol during winter sports - wait until you are back in the chalet or at home. Alcohol can affect snowmobile driving, reaction time and the ability to deal with an accident. Alcohol does not help relieve the cold, but rather makes it worse and can lead to hypothermia.
• Just because the tested area of ​​ice appears to be safe, it doesn't mean it will be safe elsewhere on the ice. If you plan to go beyond the area you tested, you will need to retest or demarcate that area.
• People in a snowmobile should be careful not to speed - if they can't see what's ahead, they might well run into a hole because they can't stop in time. Additionally, vehicles have little to no traction on the ice and a sudden turn away from a hole may not be possible. It is more likely that the vehicle will turn and you will slide into the hole. Instead, stay on land.
• This article applies to countries and regions with very cold climates, such as Canada, the United States and Russia. If your country or region does not normally have deep winter conditions, consider the ice unsafe at all times and do not attempt any of these activities without professional advice, preferably from a local government agency authorized to provide such advice.
• In an emergency, such as if the ice breaks under your snowmobile, don't stop. A snowmobile can traverse a limited amount of open water if the momentum is kept up. This is due to the paddle wheel effect of the drive belt turning and the skis displacement at speed. Instead, make a slight turn so you can maintain enough momentum to get back on land or reach safe ice. High or full throttle will keep the paddle wheel driving through mud or water.
• If you are following a ski or snowmobile trail, do not use ice-covered streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes as shortcuts unless officially designated as shortcuts by the local authorities who test them daily. Shortcuts are often taken at the end of the day when the athlete is tired and just wants to go home and it is getting dark - this is often the cause of fatigue accidents. Also, the heat has acted on the ice at the end of the day, so the ice is the weakest at that time.
• Never walk, skate, play, ski or snowmobile on the ice at night. You won't be able to see if something goes wrong and there is much less chance that help is at hand.
• Never drive a vehicle on the ice unless the ice has been professionally tested and found to be safe. Even then, it sometimes happens that the ice breaks. If you have to drive, you can prepare for problems by not driving too fast, leaving the windows open (turn up the heating if necessary!) And loosening your seat belt.
  • Know how to escape from a sinking car and have discussed emergency procedures with all passengers.
  • When driving on ice, drive slowly, especially when approaching the coast. Why? The weight of the vehicle, be it a snowmobile, car, or truck, pushes the ice down. As you progress, there is a small but significant wave motion that carries you across the ice. This wave can bounce off the bank that you are approaching. Depending on your weight and speed, these conditions can even break thick ice.
  • Avoid crossing ice in a vehicle with children unless there is simply no alternative due to an emergency. You won't have the time to get both the kids and yourself to safety as you wrestle out of a sinking vehicle.
• Never intentionally cross unsafe ice with a snowmobile. It is an invitation to disaster for a person who follows your tracks. The water jet in the engine compartment can also sometimes slow the engine. Crossing open water with a snowmobile is prohibited in some states.

Necessities

• Rope
• Pickaxe, ice ax, awls
• Life jacket or buoyancy aids that can be attached to the body
• Waterproof flashlight
• Waterproof matches
• Emergency blanket
• Spare clothes in a waterproof bag
• Ice drills, saws, knives or other cutting tools for testing the ice.
• Measuring device
• Mini first aid kit (waterproof)
• Mobile phone
• Foods with a high energy value (e.g. bars, nuts and small snacks)
• Mittens, foot warmers
• Hat (or a warm wool hat), other hats, mask