Ice safety

It is important to know how to think and act when you are on the ice. Always test the thickness with an ice pick before going out on the ice. The ice should be at least ten centimeters thick to be safe for walking. The core ice is clear and hard, and a darker color indicates that the ice is thinner. No ice is completely safe, as it constantly changes due to weather conditions and water currents. It is especially dangerous to be on the ice during the spring.

Equipment

This equipment is necessary when venturing out on the ice in nature:

• Ice claws worn high around your neck.
• Floatation aid: life jacket, floatation suit, or a backpack with a change of clothes in a waterproof bag.
• Rescue line that you can use to help pull people out of the water.
• Ice pick to test the ice's strength.
• Mobile phone in a waterproof case to call 112 in case of an emergency.

Important to Consider

• Always have company on the ice. Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Keep your distance from the person in front. This reduces the risk of multiple people falling through the ice at once.
• Take it easy! High speed increases the risk of getting far out on weak ice.

If You Fall Through the Ice:

• Turn around towards the direction you came from—there the ice held.
• Stay calm! You can survive for many minutes in the water before the cold reduces your ability to act.
• Take out the ice claws, but keep your gloves on.
• Work methodically back to stable ice. Use one ice pick at a time. Try to push yourself up on the ice with your elbows close to your body. Use a strong swimming motion with your legs.
• If you’ve gotten far out on weak ice, you may need to break the ice a bit before reaching stable ice.
• Crawl and wiggle far up onto thicker ice before standing up.

If You See Someone Else Fall Through the Ice:

• Call 112 as soon as possible.
• Approach the hole from the same direction the person fell in. There will be ice that holds.
• Always have something between you and the person in distress, such as a rope, ice pick, life buoy, or tree branch.
• Stay calm. If the person is conscious and their face is above the water, you have time to plan the rescue properly.
• Think about your own safety. A rescuer in another hole does more harm than good.
• Use floatation aids and a securing line if you must go out onto thin ice.

Swimming, Boating, Ice, and Weather Safety - Swedish Lifesaving Society External link.