Members of the Lake Country Fire Department (LCFD) could be seen in The Lakes community on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
LCFD was conducting ice rescue training, which is something they have to be ready for in the winter months as bodies of water freeze over and people venture out into them.
“Frozen bodies of water offer great opportunities for sports such as skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling,” said the District of Lake Country in a Facebook post. “Because no ice surface is without some risk, ensure you become ice aware and take all necessary precautions before you venture out. If not, you could find yourself on thin ice!”
The district also has tips for if you fall into the water, or the person you are with does.
If you fall through:
- Do not panic. Your clothing will trap air and keep you buoyant;
- Turn towards the direction you came from and place your hands and arms flat on the unbroken surface;
- Kick your feet and try to push yourself up on top of the unbroken ice on your stomach, like a seal;
- Once you are lying on the ice, don’t stand up. Roll away from the break until you are on solid ice.
If your friend breaks through:
- Stay calm and think out a solution. Don’t run up to the hole. You might break through and then you’ll both need help;
- Use an item to throw or extend to your friend to pull them out of the water – if you don’t have a rope, improvise with items such as jumper cables, skis, etc;
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If you can’t rescue your buddy immediately, call 911 on a cell phone.
More tips can be found at www.adventuresmart.ca.
Training will continue on Thursday, Jan. 25.
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