Stay off the ice!
It seems to happen every year about this time.
The tally for this past holiday weekend: One death and two near misses.
Traffic accidents?
No.
Overly eager outdoor enthusiasts--this time a cross-country skier, a snowmobiler and a walker--out on thin lake ice way too early in the season and paying a huge price.
It doesn't have to happen.
So stay off the damn ice until it's safe, OK?
And how will you know that?
Well, employing the powers of that lumpy weight on your shoulders would be a good start.
Then check out what the Maine Warden Service has to say: "Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way to risky."
The MWS has got a whole page of 'do's and don't's' when it comes to recreating on the ice of Maine's lakes, ponds and rivers. Look it over good before you head out.
And when you get there, if conditions aren't right, don't go out!
Personally, after enough close calls over time, I'm half scared to death about going out on the ice. So I venture out on my skis or snowshoes only after good long cold spell (i.e. a deep freeze), and even then I'm leery.
But then I'm not an ice fisherman or a snowmobiler looking to take heavy machinery out there. You folks have got to be good and sure.
Check out this video on saving yourself after falling through the ice. It'll scare the poop out of you, but'll give you some real good instruction on what to do if it does happen.
And I know there's a tool that ice-bound travelers can wear around the neck on a lanyard--an ice hook of sorts. I've known of it to be used to help you get a grip on the solid ice to pull yourself out to safety.
But I can't find it. Maybe somebody out there can and let us know.
Bottom line: Please be careful. We don't want to be reading about you in the obits. Got it?!
Carey, A friend and I were talking about this very same thing this morning.
If I can borrow your opening line; "It seems to happen every year about this time." as do the headlines that follow.
Ok so we have the first headline; "Skier falls through ice". Within a couple of weeks this will be the headline; " ATV goes through ice at night", alcohol may be involved. Oh,and don't forget this one; "Snowmobile crashes into tree, one dead. Speed and alcohol may be involved (duh!)
So my friend and I wondered (outloud) why this is even newsworthy. It's the annual killing off of people that aren't using their heads. It's called Darwinism, survival of the fittest, cleansing of the gene pool. One of the biggest problems in this world right now and for the forseeable future is overpopulation. Let Darwinism take it's course naturally....
Posted by
BrianJanuary 2, 2007 07:24 PM
Great advise and a great video. I had no idea that one could survive 5 minutes or more in such conditions using those practical tips. A couple of ideas that I've learned in my years of Maine winters - if he was able to hold on to one or both of his ski poles, the tips of the poles make good ice picks. Hold the poles just above the baskets, and drive them into the solid ice and pull while kicking. Another trick - like alot of guys, I carry a basic jack knife in my pocket. This too, can be used as an ice pick to get a purchase on the ice in hopes of pulling yourself out. The crampons on the bottom of your snowshoes might be used the same way. Sure, you might wind up with frozen or frostbitten fingers trying to open your jack knife or take off your snowshoes, but its a whole lot better than waking up dead. Thanks Carey for a great reminder.
Posted by
dana thurstonJanuary 2, 2007 07:32 PM
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