Safety precautions on the ice: vital advices (14.01.2009)

• First of all you must find a path or footsteps on the ice. If there are no any, then you can mark the beginning of your movement route  on the shore .
• Previously  you  must  look around and see whether there are any suspicious places:

• Ice  can be  frail  at the water run-off  (for example, from the  farm  or factory);
• thin or frail ice near bushes, rushes , under snow-drift , в in the places where alga  imbedded  in ice;
• keep away from the areas, covered with  thick lay of snow, –  ice  is always thinner under the snow;
• Thin ice  is there, where  brooks spring, where the flow is quick, or stream flows into the river;
• Descend from the shore very carefully: the ice can be jointed with the land loosely, cracks are possible, the air can be under  the  ice.

• Take a stick to check the ice strength. If after the first push with the stick, the ice is broken immediately and water appears, then you must come back immediately to that place, where you have come from. By the way, the first steps must be taken, without losing contact with the ice.
• By no means, check the ice strength with the foot kick; otherwise you will have to realize, how well you remember this advice.
• Look for the track already made if you go on ski. If there is no one around and you have to make it, then you must unbutton the ski bindings (to get rid of them in extra case quickly), keep sticks in your hands, but   don’t throw the ski pole loops over the hands. Rucksack must hang on one shoulder, but you’d better pull it  on the rope 2-3 meters behind you. If you go in the group, the distance between skiers (even passengers)  must not be  reduced  less than  5 meters .
• Drill holes in different ways of the passage to measure the ice thickness, (the distance of 5 meters between them is recommended) and measure. Keep in mind:  the ice consists of two layers – the upper one (muddy) and lowers one (transparent and strong). To measure an exact thickness is possible only when removed the upper (muddy) layer from snowy very frail ice.
• The safe ice can be considered to be: for one passenger –  the ice of greenish cast, the thickness   not less than 7centimeters,  for the equipment  of the skating ring – not less  10-12 centimeters (massive skating – 25 centimeters); massive passage on foot can be organized  when the ice  thickness is not less  than  15 centimeters .
• Skate only on the checked and equipped places.
• If the ice started cracking and particular cracks appeared – you must come back immediately. Don’t run,, but step back  slowly  without losing  contact  with the ice.
• Keep in mind well, winter ice fishing is in need  of strict  behaviour rules to be followed to, this is  dictated  by many year  experience of  not very lucky fishing:

• Don’t drill many ice holes  next  to each other;
• Don’t gather  in large groups  at one place;
• Don’t drill  ice holes  on the passages ;
• Don’t catch  fish next to the ice pot holes  and too far  from the shore  in spite of whatever catch  there is;
• You must  always have  a strong rope  -12-15 meters  at your hand;
• Keep board and large branch next to the ice hole.

• Spread hands wide across the edges of the ice break and try to avoid immersion with the head. Act decisively and don’t be frightened: thousands of people have fallen through the ice before you  – but they have survived .
• Try not to break the ice edges, without sudden movements get out on the ice, crawling with the breast and  pull legs on the surface one by one. An important thing   - adapt your body for taking   the largest space of support.
• Having gotten out from the ice break, roll away, and then crawl to the direction, where you have come from and thus the ice strength is checked. Despite  cold and humidity  make you run and warm up, be careful  till you reach  the shore and  don’t  stop there  till you find out  yourself  in the warm place.
• If at your presence the person fell through the ice, you must inform him immediately that you are going to help him. Put ski, board, veneer under yourself (it will increase the support space) and crawl on them. Reach to then ice hole only on all fours, spreading hands widely.  Don’t crawl to the very edge of the ice hole, otherwise two persons will appear in the water this time. Belts, scarves, a board, a pole, sledges or ski will help to rescue person.  Joined belts, scarves or boards must be thrown at the distance 3-4 meters.
• If you are not alone, then keeping each other legs, lay on the ice in the shape of chain and move to the break. Act decisively and quickly: the injured person catches cold quickly in the ice water; wet cloth pulls him to the bottom.
• Having given rescue expedient to the injured person, pull him on the ice and crawl as far as possible from the hazard zone. Then cover him from the wind and as soon as possible deliver him to the warm place, rub him, change his cloth and give him to drink some hot tea.