Test that ice

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

With the cooler weather, people are eyeing those outdoor ponds and wondering if it is safe to skate, fish and do other ice sports.
“Yesterday, I observed a couple of kids taking a short cut across Kinsmen Lake. We had to go out and chase them off and inform them that the ice is not thick enough to safely walk on,” said Strathmore Fire Chief Muir Furzer.
There are three ponds in the Town of Strathmore and Furzer said people might not be aware that the ponds are actually connected. The water is moving from one pond down to another, even under the ice that is currently starting to freeze. The Strathmore Fire Department goes out and tests the ice depth and recommends safety precautions based on the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) specifications.
The CRC website indicates that there are many factors that affect ice freeze and safety.
Water depth and size, any chemicals present, moving water, logs and other structures that affect heat absorption, air temperature and vibrations through the ice affect how open water freezes.
Clear blue ice is the strongest. When it is an opaque white or grey, it could indicate the presence of a snow-water mix and caution needs to be taken, as it might be unstable and unsafe.
If you are skating on rural ponds, Furzer suggests taking a drill or ice auger and measuring the ice, before using.
The ice needs to be frozen approximately six inches thick for walking or skating alone, eight inches for skating parties or games and 10 inches for snowmobiles. If there is snow mixed with the ice, these measurements should be doubled. The CRC also suggest wearing a flotation device if there is any doubt about safety, and like swimming, recommend a buddy system when recreating on open ponds.
Should a pet fall in, the immediate response is to try to help them. The best response is to call for help; if the owner rushes out, their added weight may also cause them to fall through thin ice.
Carrying a rescue kit with a rope, cell phone, ice pick, matches or lighter, tool kit, candle and survival blanket is a good idea.
If you do fall in, the initial shock will make you quickly inhale, so consciously regulate your panic. Keep as much of your body out of water as you can, as hypothermia sets in between 10-45 minutes and muscles will often seize up within three to five minutes. Remove any objects that might weigh you down and yell for help. If you can leverage yourself up on the ice, move out horizontally, like a seal might do exiting the ice.
Then roll until you get to more stable ice or ground. Once out, shed wet clothing, and wrap up in dry clothes or blankets. Get to a sheltered place and find a heat source and move your body as best you can. Hot water bottles or heating pads placed under arms or on the groin near arteries will help restore heat to the body as well.
The best advice, however, is to stay off the ice unless it is thoroughly frozen.
When the ice on Strathmore ponds is ready for use, the Town of Strathmore publishes the information on their recreation website.