Treacherous ice

Every year, venturing onto thin ice leads to fatalities. Typically, fishermen and children are most often among the deceased.

A person who falls into the water can die not only from drowning but also from hypothermia, which sets in as early as 10 minutes after entering cold water.

Therefore, it is essential to know that it is only safe to go onto the ice when its thickness reaches at least 7 centimeters for one person and 10-12 centimeters for a group of people.

It is not recommended to go out on the ice if you are alone and there is no one within sight to provide assistance, as well as during blizzards and at night. When moving on the ice, you should be cautious, carefully observe its surface, and avoid dangerous and suspicious areas: inflows of streams, groundwater and springs, industrial and sewage discharges, and frozen sedge and grass. Do not step on the surface of a body of water if it is loose or if water is seeping through.

It is also forbidden to gather in large groups on the ice, and when crossing a body of water, maintain a distance of 5-6 meters from each other. The strength of the ice should be checked with a sturdy stick, not by stamping your foot. If the ice under you becomes thinner and begins to crack, carefully retreat along your own tracks to the shore with sliding steps, without lifting your feet off the ice and keeping them shoulder-width apart. Do not run on the ice, as this can cause the surface to break quickly.

Fishermen are advised to wear life jackets when going out on the ice. For safety, it is necessary to have a rope with a weight attached to one end and a loop at the other end, which is fastened to your belt. In case of falling through the ice, such a device will help the fisherman stay afloat longer and rescuers to pull him out of the hole faster. When fishing from the ice, fishermen are prohibited from drilling holes less than 1 meter apart. After fishing, the holes must be marked with clearly visible markers on the ice.

To help a person who has fallen through the ice, throw them a life buoy, scarf, or stick, approaching the hole within 3-4 meters. You should only approach the break by crawling. It is necessary to provide assistance to the victim quickly, as a person who has fallen through the ice is at risk of hypothermia. To warm the victim, remove their wet clothing, rub their body, provide dry clothes, and warm drinks.

Children are prohibited from going onto the ice surface without adult supervision. To avoid tragic consequences, parents and legal guardians are required to conduct explanatory discussions on observing safety rules on ice and near water bodies.