Ice Safety Awareness

Here in northern Colorado we’re used to the changing winter weather — from below freezing temperatures to warm, sunny days. These wild temperature changes make ice on area lakes and ponds extremely unstable from the repeated thawing and freezing cycles. Around Evans, it is safest to assume that the ice is not strong enough to hold you. Keep kids and pets near you; never let them wander out onto ice. If you do happen to fall through ice, or see someone that has, the following ice safety tips can prevent a mistake from becoming fatal:

• Call 911 immediately. Even if you are safely able to help someone out of the water they should receive medical care immediately.
• Never attempt to walk out onto the ice to rescue someone; you might also fall through the ice and become another victim in need of rescue.
• Always keep pets on a leash.  Never allow your dog to run out onto the ice and never walk your dog near a frozen lake or pond without a leash. If your dog falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Go for help.
• Reach-Throw-Go.  If you can't reach the person from shore, throw them a flotation device or a rope. If you still can't help the person quickly, go for help.

If you fall through the ice, remember these tips: 

• Don't panic. Try to remain calm to conserve as much energy as possible. Try to get your arms onto the ice and kick as hard as you can with your feet to help lift you onto the ice, and then roll to safety.
• Do not swim. Swimming will cause your body to lose heat much faster than if you stay as still as possible.
• Don’t take off your winter clothes. It’s a common misconception that the heavy layers will drag you down. However, your clothes can trap air to provide insulation and floatation, especially snowmobile suits.
• The strongest ice will likely be in the direction you came from, which makes it the best place to try to get out.
• Act slowly and deliberately to conserve heat. Expect a progressive decrease in your strength and ability to move. Make the harder maneuvers at the beginning, while you can.
• Keep your upper body above water. Keep your head and upper body as far out of the water as reasonably possible to conserve body heat. 
• Once you are on the surface, stay flat and roll away from the weak ice to keep your weight evenly distributed and avoid breaking through again.
• After you’re off the ice you need to find shelter, dry clothing and warm non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks.
• Seek medical attention if you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering, or have any other ill effects that may be symptoms of hypothermia.