Thin Ice

On its website last month, St Lazare issued a warning to snowmobilers and ATV users to avoid heading out on frozen bodies of water this year.

The season’s early abundant snowfalls have acted as an isolating cover resulting in water that has not frozen completely. The Lifesaving Society is urging snowmobilers to use the trails marked by the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and not venture out beyond their boundaries. They also recommend the wearing of lifejackets. Since 2004 fourteen snowmobilers have died by drowning or hypothermia. On average, in 56% of the drownings, the ice was too thin or not solid. In 11% of the cases, there was a hole in the ice. The presence of water on the ice accounted for another 11% of the deaths. In 4% of the deaths, the ice was cracked or broken. Close to 90% of the victims were men. Water under ice has a temperature that varies between 0°C and 4°C. A person that falls into icy waters can experience fatigue in less than 10 minutes, lose muscle control; and have difficulty breathing. The Lifesaving Society recommends the following actions in the event of a fall into glacial waters. 1) Keep calm. 2) Try to break any thin ice around you. 3) Support yourself on the ice as far away as you can. 4) Haul your body onto the ice by vigorously kicking your legs until you are horizontal. Use your arms to crawl on the ice. Do not stand up! Crawl or roll to a safe place.