Coast Guard Shares Ice Safety Tips

The recent cold spell has led to canals and near shore waters to freeze, and anglers have hit the ice. 

As winter enthusiasts hit the ice, the U.S. Coast Guard shares the following safety tips which can easily be remembered by the acronym I.C.E. — “Intelligence, Clothing, Equipment."

• Intelligence - Know the weather and ice conditions, know where you're going, and know how to call for help. Also help others find you by remaining upright and standing to give rescuers a bigger target to locate you. Only do this if it is safe to do so.
• Clothing - Have proper clothing to prevent hypothermia; dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. The public is encouraged to wear retro-reflective clothing in case of a search taking place at night. Avoid wearing cotton and wear layers of clothing that wick away moisture like Polypropylene, which retains more of your body heat than any other fabric. Polypropylene thermals are the best extreme cold weather base layer of clothing made.
• Equipment - Have proper equipment: marine radio, life jackets, screw drivers/ice picks, etc.
• Freezing air and water temperatures significantly decrease survival time for persons immersed in the water or trapped on the ice. Cold water kills quickly! Surprisingly, cold water is defined as any water temperature less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  The fact that air temperatures might be far above freezing is irrelevant when people unexpectedly enter the water.

While the Coast Guard understands winter recreation on cold water and ice around the Great Lakes is a tradition, it is important to take safety measures:

• Complete a “float plan.”  Always notify family and friends where you are going and when you expect to be back – and stick to the plan.  Be sure to notify them when plans change. Click here for more information on float plans.
• Never venture out alone; plan outings with other boaters who will be on their own vessels.
• If boating with pets, keep in mind animals also need the added protection of flotation while enduring colder weather.  Not all animals swim or swim well.  Like their human companions, animals are just as susceptible to the harsh elements, including the effects of hypothermia. Several manufacturers make life jackets specifically for dogs and cats, in a variety of sizes.
• Set limits. Know when it's time to call it a day. There will always be another day and another outing.