Frigid weather means ice, which means ice skating,
ice fishing and other outdoor fun, but Indiana conservation officers
warn that people should temper their excitement with caution before
taking that first step onto any frozen waterway.
A lack of ice safety knowledge can lead to tragedy.
"There is no such thing as safe ice, but some ice is safer than
other ice," said Mike Kellner, District 7 conservation officer.
He said that 4 inches of new ice is a good place to start when
judging whether ice is safe to walk on and that, generally, the
thicker the ice, the stronger. But many other factors can reduce ice
strength no matter how thick it is.
Some of these conditions include warmer temperatures, snow on top
of the ice that can insulate and cause the ice to weaken, and
underground streams that cause warmer water to rise to the underside
of the ice. Factors that may cause ice to crack include rain, water
running beneath the ice, wind changes, weight distribution, and
fluctuating water levels in flooded areas.
With so many variables, individuals should learn to read ice
conditions. Many different reliable resources exist, including
outdoor sports magazines. Remember to tap the experience from more
experienced outdoor people who have learned how to deal safely with
ice. Often, even something as simple as wearing a lifejacket can
provide both buoyancy and warmth in case of an accident. The dangers
of hypothermia and drowning are always present when recreating on
ice.
Ice sports can be a wonderful way to spend a winter day as long
as you are prepared but there is a risk. If you want to be 100
percent safe, stay off the ice.
