Winter dangers – Expert advice on staying safe on the ice

Winter dangers – Expert advice on staying safe on the ice
A snowmobile is carefully retrieved from a frozen lake, highlighting the dangers of venturing onto unsafe ice. Local experts stress the importance of proper precautions and equipment to avoid such incidents. (Photo : Courtesy Facebook)

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

As winter deepens in the Eastern Townships, local experts emphasize the importance of ice safety. Despite its allure for activities like snowmobiling and fishing, venturing onto ice carries significant risks. “Ice is never 100 per cent safe,” stressed Batallion Chief Dany Brus, an experienced firefighter, in a recent conversation. Alongside Renflouement Véhicule owner Sylvain Audette, who retrieves vehicles from icy waters, they offered crucial advice for minimizing danger and maximizing safety.

The basics of ice thickness

The general rule for ice safety is based on thickness: clear, bluish ice is the strongest, while grey or slushy ice is highly dangerous. According to Brus, two inches of ice may support walking, four inches suffices for ice fishing, and at least 12 inches is necessary for small trucks. “Always check the thickness using a drill every nine metres,” he advised, underscoring the variability of ice conditions. However, depth, water movement, and weather fluctuations further complicate safety assessments. “Currents and nearby obstructions like docks thin the ice,” Brus explained. He also noted that ice weakens in the afternoon due to sun exposure and can be deceptive following re-freezing after melting.

Real-life risks on the ice

Sylvain Audette, whose company Renflouement Véhicule specializes in recovering vehicles from lakes and rivers, has seen the consequences firsthand. This winter alone, he has already retrieved five snowmobiles. “People underestimate the risks,” he said. Audette highlighted carelessness as a key factor, with operators often ignoring changes in ice strength due to runoff or surface water. He uses specialized panels and winches to extract submerged vehicles, often collaborating with divers. Audette stressed the importance of acting quickly after an incident to avoid complications from ice re-freezing over the vehicle. “The hardest part is locating the vehicle when people call days later,” he explained, noting that lack of clear markers at the site of an incident often delays recovery efforts.

Cold water immersion: The 1-10-1 rule

If someone falls through the ice, survival depends on quick thinking and preparation. Information provided by local firefighter Chief Brian Wharry explained the “1-10-1” principle: one minute to control your breathing, ten minutes of meaningful movement before incapacitation, and up to an hour before unconsciousness due to hypothermia. This timeline emphasizes the importance of staying calm and seeking help. To self-rescue, Brus advised using ice picks stored in sleeves or jackets to pull yourself out of the water. “Kick to get your hips onto the ice, then roll away without standing up,” he said. Proper equipment, such as flotation suits, greatly increases survival chances.

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