Video of park ranger plunging through ice into freezing water holds lesson for winter
A Colorado park ranger plunged through a thin layer of ice on a frozen lake to show how easy it can be to fall through.
In the video, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger named Cate walks out into the middle of a lake in Staunton State Park wearing a bright yellow ice suit. She jumps onto a thin layer that almost immediately gives way to the freezing waters beneath.
“Just another day for a Park Ranger,” the agency wrote in a post on Facebook. “Be aware of ice and weather conditions before you head out!”
The agency shared tips to avoid what could be a fatal mistake.
Test the ice, bring a buddy
“Looks can be deceiving! Always test the ice rather than relying on its appearance,” the first tip states. Officials encourage checking conditions online or calling ahead to determine the state of the ice.
Make sure to bring a buddy who can call for rescue if you or someone else falls in.
“Attempting a rescue could cause you to also fall through the ice,” the agency said. And if you are going out on the ice alone, it’s important to tell someone else your plan and where you’re going.
Wear a life jacket
It’s important to wear a life jacket or “float coat” over winter clothing. One bonus is that life jackets can provide extra protection from the cold, the agency said.
Definitely wear personal safety items, such as ice picks and a whistle, while out on the ice. A rope, “throw bag” and a cell phone are also essential equipment you should keep on you. Keep a cell phone in a secure pocket or even better, a waterproof pouch. That way you can call for help if you fall into freezing waters.
Alcohol and ice don’t mix
You might not want to hear it, but drinking alcohol is a bad idea while on the ice — and not just because it clouds your judgment or can make you clumsy and less alert. If you have alcohol in your system, it increases the likelihood of developing hypothermia, officials said. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated with water and warm liquids to stave off hypothermia.
Keep pets off the ice
Pets must be kept on a leash around frozen lakes and ponds, the agency said. It’s important never to let your pet run out onto the ice. If they do fall through, you shouldn’t try to rescue them, either. The agency recommends calling for help.
Stay calm and conserve energy
In the event that you do fall through the ice, it’s important to try to stay calm so you can conserve as much energy as possible, the agency said.
It will be hard to do while adrenaline courses through your veins, but it’s also important to “act slowly and deliberately to conserve heat,” officials said. You should expect your strength to progressively decrease, and your ability to move will become more difficult.
“Make the harder maneuvers at the beginning, while you can,” officials said.
Don’t try to swim
You also shouldn’t try to swim, officials said. “Swimming will cause your body to lose heat much faster and will use up energy than if you stay as still as possible.”
In other words, you’ll tire yourself out faster. Instead of swimming, you should try to get your arms onto the ice and kick your feet “as hard as you can” to lift yourself onto the ice. Then you should use your ice pick to grab onto the ice and “roll to safety.”
‘Remember: reach-throw-go’
If someone falls through the ice, you might not be able to reach them from shore. In that situation, officials urge to “remember: reach-throw-go.” If you can’t reach them, throw a flotation device or rope. And if you still can’t quickly help them, that’s when you go call for help.
If you can’t get out by yourself, you should try to keep your upper body above water to conserve body heat. In that case, use your whistle or yell to others that you need help.
This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Video of park ranger plunging through ice into freezing water holds lesson for winter."
