It’s that time of year again for Swift Water Rescue and Ice Rescue teams across Canada to test their gear and get trained as in-land water (such as lakes and rivers) begin to ice up for the winter.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BREAK THROUGH:
- Do not panic. Your clothing will trap air and keep you buoyant.
- Turn towards the direction you came from and place your hands and arms flat on the unbroken surface.
- Kick your feet and try to push yourself up on top of the unbroken ice on your stomach, like a seal.
- Once you are lying on the ice, don’t stand up. Roll away from the break until you are on solid ice.
IF YOUR BUDDY BREAKS THROUGH:
- Stay calm and think out a solution.
- Don’t run up to the hole. You might break through and then you’ll both need help.
- Use an item to throw or extend to your friend to pull them out of the water – if you don’t have a rope, improvise with items such as jumper cables, skis, etc.
- If you can’t rescue your buddy immediately, call 911!
Holiday season for GSAR volunteers in Canada is when we are reminded of the importance of understanding cold water shock, and how the 1-10-1 principle relates to the three phases of cold water immersion (and the approximate time each phase takes):
1 minute—cold shock: An initial deep sudden gasp followed by hyperventilation that is 6 to 10 times more rapid than normal breathing. You have one minute to get your breathing under control.
10 minutes—cold incapacitation: Gradual loss of effective use of your fingers, arms, and legs. If not wearing a lifejacket, drowning is likely because of swim failure.
1 hour—hypothermia: Even in ice water it could take 1 hour before becoming unconscious due to hypothermia. In order to lose consciousness the body core temperature has to go below 30 degrees; this time can vary depending on the temperature of the water.
The longer one spends immersed in cold water, the less chance of survival. Self-rescue skills and the ability to alert SAR usually dictates whether the outcome is a rescue or a recovery. Practice self rescue methods in a controlled environment to reduce the use of SAR and lower the risk of distress during water incidents.
For a detailed guide on winter safety, visit our Winter Safety Page.
Let’s keep our communities across Canada safe!