Safety Guidelines for Walking on Ice: How to Stay Safe on Frozen Bodies of Water

Memo: "Rules of Behavior on the Ice"

Rules of Behavior on the Ice

Before stable frosts set in, bodies of water freeze over with ice that is very fragile and easily breaks under the feet of a person or the weight of machinery. Frozen by evening or night cold, it may withstand a small load, but during the day, quickly heating up from melting water that seeps through it, the ice becomes porous and very weak, although it retains sufficient thickness. Every year, many people neglect safety measures and go out onto thin autumn ice, thus putting their lives in deadly danger.

Formation of Ice:
• As a rule, bodies of water freeze unevenly, in parts: first near the shore, in shallow waters, in wind-protected bays, and only then in the middle.
• On lakes, ponds (on all bodies of water with standing water, especially those without any streams feeding them or riverbeds with underwater springs), the ice forms earlier than on rivers, where currents delay ice formation.
• On the same body of water, there can be alternating layers of ice, which, while having the same thickness, possess varying strength and load-bearing capacity.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Ice that is at least 10 cm thick in freshwater and 15 cm in saltwater is considered safe for a person.
At river mouths and in channels, the ice strength is weakened.
Ice is weak in areas of fast currents, springs, and runoff waters, as well as in regions with aquatic vegetation, near trees, bushes, and reeds.
If the air temperature stays above 0°C for more than three days, the strength of the ice decreases by 25%.
You can visually assess the strength of the ice:

• Blue ice is strong,

• White ice is half as strong,

• Frosted white or yellowish-tinged ice is unreliable.

Rules of Behavior on the Ice:

Do not cross bodies of water on the ice in restricted areas.
Do not ride motorcycles or drive cars on the ice outside of designated crossings.
Do not go out on thin ice at the beginning of winter (it cracks with a sharp sound, and it creaks) or at the beginning of spring (ice breaks silently, water quickly seeps through and fills the cracks).
In early winter, the most dangerous place is the center of the body of water. At the end of winter, the dangerous areas are near the shore, near drainpipes, and under bridges.
Never go out on the ice at night or in poor visibility conditions (fog, snowstorm, rain).
When crossing a river, use designated ice crossings.
Do not test the strength of the ice by kicking it. Carry a stick in your hands and probe the path in front of you. If you hear cracking after the first strong hit, or if the ice begins to crack, it means the ice is too thin, and it is unsafe to walk on it. In this case, lie down carefully and crawl back along your own trail, or cautiously move back toward the shore, sliding your feet, keeping them shoulder-width apart to distribute the load over a larger area. Do the same if you hear warning cracks or notice cracks forming in the ice.
If you must cross a body of water, it is safer to stick to established paths or walk along already laid-out ski tracks or footprints. But if they are not available, you should carefully survey the area and plan your route before stepping onto the ice.
Do not gather in groups on the ice in one spot. When crossing a body of water as a group, maintain a distance of 5-6 meters from each other. Let the most experienced person go first.
It is safer to cross a frozen river (lake) on skis. In this case, unclip your ski bindings to quickly release them if needed; keep ski poles in your hands without loops around your wrists, so you can immediately throw them away in case of danger.
If you have a backpack, carry it on one shoulder so you can easily remove it if the ice cracks beneath you.
On frozen bodies of water, take a strong rope of 20-25 meters with a large loop at one end and a weight. The weight helps throw the rope to a companion who has fallen through the ice, and the loop is for the victim to hold onto by placing it under their armpits.
Parents! Do not let children go onto the ice (for fishing, skiing, or skating) without supervision!
One of the most common causes of tragedies on bodies of water is alcohol consumption. People react inadequately to danger and become helpless in an emergency situation.

What to Do If You Fall into Cold Water:
Do not panic, do not make sudden movements, do not dive, and do not wet your head. Stabilize your breathing.
Hold onto the edge of the ice.
Call for help: "I'm drowning!"
Try to climb onto the ice from the side you came from.
Spread your arms wide and try to hook onto the ice edge, keeping your body horizontal in the direction of the current.
Push yourself onto the ice using your legs and elbows.
If the ice breaks, do not stop trying to get out.
Try to carefully roll your chest onto the ice edge and throw one leg, then the other, onto the ice. If the ice holds, crawl slowly toward the shore.
Crawl in the direction you came from—this part of the ice has already been tested for strength. Move back 2-3 meters, stand up, and head to the nearest shelter. Rest only in a warm place.

If Someone Falls into a Hole in the Ice:
Ask someone to call an ambulance and rescuers, or call them yourself by mobile phone "112."
Arm yourself with any long stick, board, pole, rope, or long scarf. You can tie scarves, belts, or clothes together.
Tie a knot at the end of the rope.
Try to approach the hole in the ice by following the trail. The last 10-15 meters, move on your stomach, spreading your arms and legs wide, and pushing the rescue tools ahead of you. Move cautiously toward the hole.
Stop a few meters from the person in the water, throw them the rope, edge of clothing, or offer a stick or pole. (Remember! Do not wrap the rope around your hand—the victim may pull you into the hole too.)
Carefully pull the victim onto the ice, and both of you should crawl out of the danger zone. Crawl back to the direction you came from.