llPa1nll Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I just wanted our members to stay as safe as possible while venturing out onto the Ice this year. The Ice has been slow coming and I am sure many of us are anxious to get out there and try our luck. I scouted the website from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, they had some great tips. Recommended minimum ice thickness 4" of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot 5" is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs 8"- 12" for cars or small trucks (Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.) Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop. Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1/4 inch drill with a long bit. Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry--keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple emergency plan of action you have discussed with your passengers. Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Even "just a couple of beers" are enough to cause a careless error in judgment that could cost you your life. And contrary to common belief, alcohol actually makes you colder rather than warming you up. Don't "overdrive" your snowmobile's headlight. At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was travelling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice. Wear a life vest under your winter gear. Or wear one of the new flotation snowmobile suits. And it's a good idea to carry a pair of ice picks that may be home made or purchased from most well stocked sporting goods stores that cater to winter anglers. It's amazing how difficult it can be to pull yourself back onto the surface of unbroken but wet and slippery ice while wearing a snowmobile suit weighted down with 60 lbs of water. The ice picks really help pulling yourself back onto solid ice. CAUTION: Do NOT wear a flotation device when travelling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle! What if a companion falls through thin ice? * Keep calm and think out a solution. * Don't run up to the hole. You'll probably break through and then there will be two victims. * Use some item on shore to throw or extend to the victim to pull them out of the water such as jumper cables or skis, or push a boat ahead of you. * If you can't rescue the victim immediately, call 911. It's amazing how many people carry cellphones. * Get medical assistance for the victim. People who are subjected to cold water immersion but seem fine after being rescued can suffer a potentially fatal condition called "after drop" that may occur when cold blood that is pooled in the body's extremities starts to circulate again as the victim starts to re-warm. What if YOU fall in? Try not to panic. Instead, remain calm and turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice (here's where the ice picks come in handy.) Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. Once you are lying on the ice, don't stand. Instead, roll away from the hole. That spreads out your weight until you are on solid ice. This sounds much easier than it really is to do. The best advice is don't put yourself into needless danger by venturing out too soon or too late in the season. No angler, no matter how much of a fishing enthusiast, would want to die for a crappie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 This was covered in the last few weeks in general but as Pain said, it's been slow coming and many in the Northeast will be venturing for the first time this week, so I think it is a good idea to keep the info posted. we will let it stay here in "my outtings" for a few more views by guys actually getting out there. Previous thread in general Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadKarma42 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 good tips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camofish Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 4" is safe for foot travel. Heck, 2 weeks ago I was on 2 1/2" - 4" of is and at the other end of the small lake I was on they were running quads and snowmobiles, and it couldn't have been more than 5" over there. :-? If seen other sites say that 2", 2 1/2", and even 3" is the minium ice for foot travel. I didn't feel safe on 2 1/2" but I was standing on it, holding and carrying a 47# gas auger. I personally trust 3" of solid black (clear) ice. 8-) Fish On! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky_Lake_Dude Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Nice tips.2 bad i can't use em cuz we don't have ice any thicker than 2 inches if its even that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Sam Posted February 3, 2007 Super User Share Posted February 3, 2007 Great info. Thanks for sharing it with us. As for me, the best ice fishing or ice driving, etc. is at home, on the couch, watching fishing videos or DVDs and staying warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the_muddy_man Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Best Ice saftey tip WATCH IT FROM THE CABIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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