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Q:
my biggest fear is falling through ice while hunting or fishing. what should I do if this happens?
Question by habben97. Uploaded on November 23, 2012
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Answers (6)
Having a companion nearby would come in handy in such a situation, even if it's just someone to get help.
I've heard that a pair of ice picks can be used to claw your way back up out of the water.
Don't panic, if you panic you might end up swimming away from the hole you formed and never find it again therefore becoming entombed under the ice, however if you stay calm and swim straight up you have a better chance of finding the hole again if not just pray there is space between the ice and the water level. And remember you only have about one minute before hypothermea sets in fully (depending on temp.).
The most important thing you can do is not fall in. Avoid thin and unsafe ice. Almost every person who goes through is out really early or late in the season. I don't trust anything less than four inches of clear, quality ice. (Yes, 2 is supposedly safe). You really have to watch heavy snow on thin ice. It ruins ice very quickly. A spring under the ice can turn 4 inches of ice a tip up one to 2 inches at tip up two. It happens a lot.
I keep a set of ice picks around my neck on a cord. I bought two cheap screw screwdrivers, cut them off to 2 inches, and sharpened them on a grinder. I hope to never use them. For piece of mind, you might want to consider a CO2 inflatable life vest. The Fish Wardens here wear them out on the ice.
99explorer is right about having someone around. It's spooky being the only one on a lake in January. I'm a solo hunter and fisherman generally but when it comes to hard water I like the social aspect of it as well as the fishing. Good luck this winter. Use NJ Governor Christie's rule: If it looks stupid, it probably is.
Try to go with a buddy or two. And don't go on the ice unless you know it's thick enough (6"-8" min). What region do you live in? Talk to guys in your area about it... someone will have knowledge about specific conditions in your area. If you fish a state park or something, they will have advisory conditions about the ice. Be smart, don't live in fear.
Hi...
I think that that fear might be more prevalent than one might think.
When on the ice, never presume that just because you see that UTE parked out there on the ice means that nearby ice is going to hold your weight...!!
Ice thickness is never a guarantee, either. For either humans or vehicles.
Wearing a PFD and carrying 'ice picks' is an excellent idea. I kinda like the post about grinding down a pair of screwdrivers to use as same...to help pull yourself onto the ice should you fall through.
Whatever type of 'ice picks' you may use, install a small screw eye in the ends, so that the 'picks' can be tied together with a strong cord, and run them through the sleeves of your coat (like some mothers did with their kid's mittens!). That way they are always available, and never far away.
I would just stay off the ice. But if it ever does happen, keep something on you that you can stab into the ice and pull yourself out.
Post an Answer
The most important thing you can do is not fall in. Avoid thin and unsafe ice. Almost every person who goes through is out really early or late in the season. I don't trust anything less than four inches of clear, quality ice. (Yes, 2 is supposedly safe). You really have to watch heavy snow on thin ice. It ruins ice very quickly. A spring under the ice can turn 4 inches of ice a tip up one to 2 inches at tip up two. It happens a lot.
I keep a set of ice picks around my neck on a cord. I bought two cheap screw screwdrivers, cut them off to 2 inches, and sharpened them on a grinder. I hope to never use them. For piece of mind, you might want to consider a CO2 inflatable life vest. The Fish Wardens here wear them out on the ice.
99explorer is right about having someone around. It's spooky being the only one on a lake in January. I'm a solo hunter and fisherman generally but when it comes to hard water I like the social aspect of it as well as the fishing. Good luck this winter. Use NJ Governor Christie's rule: If it looks stupid, it probably is.
Having a companion nearby would come in handy in such a situation, even if it's just someone to get help.
I've heard that a pair of ice picks can be used to claw your way back up out of the water.
Don't panic, if you panic you might end up swimming away from the hole you formed and never find it again therefore becoming entombed under the ice, however if you stay calm and swim straight up you have a better chance of finding the hole again if not just pray there is space between the ice and the water level. And remember you only have about one minute before hypothermea sets in fully (depending on temp.).
Try to go with a buddy or two. And don't go on the ice unless you know it's thick enough (6"-8" min). What region do you live in? Talk to guys in your area about it... someone will have knowledge about specific conditions in your area. If you fish a state park or something, they will have advisory conditions about the ice. Be smart, don't live in fear.
Hi...
I think that that fear might be more prevalent than one might think.
When on the ice, never presume that just because you see that UTE parked out there on the ice means that nearby ice is going to hold your weight...!!
Ice thickness is never a guarantee, either. For either humans or vehicles.
Wearing a PFD and carrying 'ice picks' is an excellent idea. I kinda like the post about grinding down a pair of screwdrivers to use as same...to help pull yourself onto the ice should you fall through.
Whatever type of 'ice picks' you may use, install a small screw eye in the ends, so that the 'picks' can be tied together with a strong cord, and run them through the sleeves of your coat (like some mothers did with their kid's mittens!). That way they are always available, and never far away.
I would just stay off the ice. But if it ever does happen, keep something on you that you can stab into the ice and pull yourself out.
Post an Answer