Dangers of falling through ice
Winter has had a firm grip on Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas over the past week, with a few rounds of snowfall and a steady stream of arctic air.
In fact, St. Joseph set two new daily record lows earlier this week, -15 °F on Sunday and -16 °F on Monday. The chill has also been persistent, as temperatures have remained below freezing for seven consecutive days and counting as of Jan. 29.
Not surprisingly, area waterways are icy amid the extended period of cold weather. Larger moving bodies of water, such as the Missouri River, are filled with large chunks of ice that slowly float by. Others, like lakes and ponds, are sealed with a near solid sheet of ice.
Paired with the snowpack, frozen waters are part of the winter wonderland, but they can also be a real danger for those who choose to venture out on the ice.
An estimated 250 people die each year in the U.S. after falling through ice covered water. These fatalities occur in different parts of the country, including the northern tier where winter recreation is common, and parts of the south where frozen waters are less familiar.
In either case, failure to accurately assess ice thickness and stability can have deadly consequences. Common sense also tells us that kids should never venture out on ice without knowledgeable adults leading the way.
Before measuring ice thickness, it’s important to remember that partially frozen ponds and lakes are never safe to walk on, and flowing water is especially dangerous even under a seemingly solid layer of ice. Notably, ice thickness is often less than uniform and should be measured in multiple locations.
A visual inspection is also key, to spot any cracks, areas of standing water, or changes in color and texture that indicate weak spots.
To measure, pierce a hole in the ice using an axe, hatchet, auger, or other tool. Ice should be at least 4 inches thick to safely walk on, 5 to 8 inches for ATVs, 8 to 12 inches for small cars, and over 12 inches for trucks and SUVs.
If you find yourself falling through ice, make sure to stay calm and keep your head above water. Frank Till, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Heath and Safety council explains.
“There's a rule called the 1-10 one rule, which is basically, you have one minute to calm your breathing and get yourself stable and under control if you fall into the icy water. You have about ten minutes to find a way to get out of it before you go under and drown," Till said.
"Another big risk of just falling into ice cold water is that your body automatically gasps. If you happen to be under water as you fall, you can take in enough water at that point to drown.”
To escape the icy cold water, hoist yourself onto the ice from which you came and distribute your weight evenly. Without standing up, gently roll yourself to safety and get warm as soon as possible.
