‘Tis the season for ice, snow and…water?
With the unseasonably warm December, many Manitobans haven’t been able to hit the ice this year like they’re used to. Whether it be for ice fishing, skating, walking, skiing, snowshoeing or biking, you have to ensure the ice is safe before going out on it.
Last week, the Boyne River Keepers shared a photo on Facebook showing a hole in the frozen Boyne River, warning the community that someone had fallen through and to use caution when on the ice.
The person who fell through did so outside of town limits, to the west where the trail is not maintained. They are okay, and no emergency crews were called to the scene, but that doesn’t mean the Carman Dufferin Fire Department is unaware of the incident.
Fire chief Chris Lemky said there are numerous reasons someone may fall through the ice — including wind, fluctuating water levels, water current and temperatures — and those spending time on ice should be aware of those factors
“The river is always flowing so if the water level goes down, the ice can stay on top and create a hollow pocket underneath,” he said. “What we want to stress to people is the Boyne River Keepers has been doing a fantastic job of maintaining the trail, and they’re watching for water to form on the ice. If they see any dangers, they’ll close that part of the trail down.”
Lemky added that sticking to the groomed path on the river is extremely important, as that’s what the Boyne River Keepers watch and know is safe for people to be on.
According to the Lifesaving Society, around 35 per cent of drownings in Canada happen from October to April when most bodies of water are too cold for people to go in. They also report two thirds of ice-related incidents occur on lakes, with the other 33 per cent happening on rivers.
“We obviously want people to get out and use that trail but being aware the river is a moving body of water is important,” said Lemky.
He noted two specific spots in the river for people to stay away from during the winter — the dam at the golf course and the part by BSI Insurance. Those areas are always open with fast, moving water, making them unsafe in the wintertime.
Accidents do happen, though, so if you do happen to fall through the ice, know you have about 10 minutes to get out before the cold takes over. The first thing to do if you fall through the ice is keep breathing steadily, even when instinct will prompt you to breathe quickly. Take your time, take slow breaths and then get yourself out.
Lemky said it’s important to first get your arms out of the water and above the ice. Then, lay your head down flat on the surface, like you would on a desk, and use your hands like an ice pick, pulling your body onto the ice.
After the 10-minute window, your nerves and muscles will be too cold for you to get yourself out, so timing is everything. Once you’re safely back on the ice, don’t stand up right away. Instead, roll away from the weak ice to a spot you know is safer and recover there.
If you’re unable to save yourself in the 10 minutes, it’s important to make sure you’re visible to people and to keep your mouth and nose above water. You’ll have about an hour until you lose consciousness from hypothermia, so you’ll have to focus on keeping yourself from drowning.
Lemky said the Carman Dufferin Fire Department doesn’t receive a lot of ice-related incident calls, and for that, he’s grateful. Though accidents can happen, you likely won’t be part of one if you stick to the trails.
