NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

November 25, 1998

Safety Specialist Warns of Thin Ice Dangers

Recent deaths in the region illustrate the dangers of thin ice. The weather has not been cold enough for long enough to develop ice thick enough to support children, much less adults, notes a North Dakota State University safety specialist.

"At least a week of temperatures lower than 20 degrees are needed to make ice that is strong enough to be safe," notes George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "And recent warm temperatures will slow the development of ice or even reverse it, causing safe ice to become dangerously thin as it melts."

Maher says it's especially important to convince children not to venture out on onto the ice. "Because of the thin ice, adults will not be able to rescue children who venture out the ice and get into trouble. Ice must be at least 4 inches thick to support adults. Two inch thick ice might support children, but it will not allow adults to rescue them."

Thin, white or cloudy ice is not safe. Safe ice is clear to bluish in color and at least:

• 4 inches thick for people on foot
• 5 inches thick for snowmobiles
• 10 to 12 inches thick for small to average sized automobiles
• 12 to 16 inches thick for heavier pickups and vans.

"A fall through the ice is life threatening," Maher says. "The combination of shock and extremely cold water will quickly bring on hypothermia." Hypothermia is the condition where the body loses heat faster than it can replace it. The body temperature falls quickly as the cold water saturates the clothing and chills the skin. Death is almost certain when the core temperature of the body has dropped to the point where body heat cannot be maintained.

Hypothermia is definitely fatal when the heat loss cannot be reversed. Supplemental heat must be supplied until the heat loss is reversed and normal body temperature is stabilized.

Frequently people who break through the ice drown when they can't come back up through the hole they fell through. "Breaking through the ice overhead is nearly impossible. For the victim and would-be rescuers, this is a very desperate situation. An attempted rescue on thin ice can make a bad situation even worse."

If it is absolutely essential to go out on thin ice in a rescue attempt, follow these procedures:

• Never go out alone; always have an observer watching from shore. The observer must be capable of rescuing you or responsible for getting help immediately. It is better to have several helpers present for immediate help.
• Carry a long pole with you in a flat, horizontal position. A good 2 x 4 at least 10 feet long may be sufficient for the average person. The long pole will bridge a hole and give you something to hold onto if you fall through the ice.
• Tie a length of rope to something solid such as a vehicle or tree on shore and tie the other end around your waist before going out on the ice.

Pond or lake ice usually forms earlier than river or stream ice, Maher notes. The current of the stream or river prevents ice from thickening as fast as lake ice. So, extra care is essential when going out on river or stream ice. Underwater springs can also keep ice from becoming thick enough to be safe. They can be found in rivers and streams as well as ponds or lakes. Moving water does not freeze.

"Never go out on thin ice without safety equipment and capable people watching the situation. You may need their help," Maher says. "And remember that ice conditions can change rapidly, even in the dead of winter. Shifts in currents or winds or too much traffic can change safe solid ice into deadly thin ice in a matter of hours."

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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629

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