View Full Version : How to survive falling through ice
Feb. 13, '16 edition of the NY TIMES:
http://nyti.ms/1PR0CTB
I hope I never have to follow this advice, but good to know. A bit off topic, but not panicking is also key to avoid drowning in warm water. Most people have enough body fat to float close to the surface for a very long time without doing anything at all, whereas thrashing about will exhaust you very quickly.
see http://www.drownproofing.com/ or google for YouTube videos.
do you think it pure chance that the advertisement next to the "Help I've fallen thru ice" article is an invitation to vacation in.... Florida!
No, not pure chance. A result of your previous browsing. I got a shopping ad, and the banner at the top offered help for reducing my electric bill.
nsherry61
02-13-2016, 15:23
Giesbrecht did a series of 3 videos that are by far the most informative videos along these lines that I have ever seen.
Video #1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOW8ZaYqHA)
Video #2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyBVWrqvkEg)
Video #3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAwzPgRYOI)
Oslohiker
02-13-2016, 16:22
Giesbrecht did a series of 3 videos that are by far the most informative videos along these lines that I have ever seen.
Video #1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOW8ZaYqHA)
Video #2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyBVWrqvkEg)
Video #3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAwzPgRYOI)
He makes a major error. He throws away his poles (that's a big no, no). You hold as low as you can on the poles and use the spikes on them to drag you out. You should not throw away your skies either. You can get on top of them and and drag yourself out. If you are not able to make fire, they are your best bet to get somewhere you can get saved.
If the trail is not heavily frequented by others, I would never ski on ice without a backpack, containing thermos, warm clothes (inside a waterproof bag), and a way to make fire.
If you don't ski, wear specialised spikes around your neck, and the backpack described above.
nsherry61
02-13-2016, 16:36
He makes a major error. He throws away his poles . . .
Interesting, and very good point. I haven't looked at these videos since they came out. Interestingly, I've gone out and played on questionable ice a couple times this year and both times people I went with kept asking me why I was taking my trekking poles. And it was for the very reason you comment on, so I have something pointy to give me traction to pull myself out if I break through. . . that and if the ice is slippery, the pole can help stabilize me.
The real points I liked about the videos was also some of the exact points reiterated in the article linked in OP. . . falling through ice is NOT instant hypothermia & death, and even soaking wet, you can stay warm in freezing weather if you are working hard and reduce evaporation of your wet clothing.
As I'm thinking about this, it might be that if you don't have dry clothing, you would be better off leaving on all your wet clothing (or putting wrung out clothing back on) and putting on your rain gear to eliminate evaporative cooling?
Oslohiker
02-13-2016, 17:18
As I'm thinking about this, it might be that if you don't have dry clothing, you would be better off leaving on all your wet clothing (or putting wrung out clothing back on) and putting on your rain gear to eliminate evaporative cooling?
That would probably kind of work (I am really not sure). But most important is to wear wool, and not synthetic and down. Wool will retain 70% of their heat capabilities when wet. But I more often take my backpack with the emergency stuff in it, than not.
By the way, these are the ice spikes I am talking about (this particular brand is zanstra). It is wise to take them with you even when skiing:
http://www.scandinavianoutdoorstore.com/media/dynamic/productimages/zandstra-naskalit.jpg