Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Casey Stevens is warning residents to take precautions and check conditions before going onto frozen bodies of water.
There have already been several fatalities and injuries as a result of snowmobilers and others going through the ice this winter, Stevens said. In Massachusetts, there was a report of a woman who fell through the ice in an effort to rescue her dog.
Stevens said that in the event a person or an animal falls through the ice, bystanders should call 911 immediately. Area fire departments are trained and equipped for cold-water rescues, and will respond to reports of animals going through the ice, he said. Individuals who attempt rescues themselves are placing their lives in danger, he said.
An individual should never approach a hole in the ice where a person or animal has fallen through, as it will most likely result in the ice breaking and the person who is attempting the rescue also falling in, according to the Maine Warden Service.
After calling 911, bystanders can safely attempt a rescue from the shoreline by extending a rope or branch for the person to hold on to and be pulled to the shore, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Individuals can also throw an object that will float to the victim for them to hold onto or tie around themselves until they can be safely pulled from the water. If a light boat is available, it can also be used to safely attempt a rescue, according to the Maine Warden Service.
A bystander can push a boat to the edge of the hole where the person has fallen in, climb into the boat, and then safely pull the victim from the water. Some rope should be attached to the boat so someone on the shore can pull the boat back from the water, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Ice conditions vary widely, even on the same body of water – what may be safe on ice in one location, may not be safe in a different location, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Ice formed over flowing water, such as rivers, streams, and near bridges and culverts, is often dangerous and unpredictable. Snow-covered ice is also unpredictable, because snow insulates the ice and prevents it from freezing as quickly as clear ice, according to the Maine Warden Service.
In general, clear ice less than 2 inches thick should be avoided, ice with a thickness of 4 inches can support some ice fishing and pedestrians, ice 5 inches thick can support an ATV or snowmobile, ice 8-12 inches thick can support a car or small pickup, and ice more than 15 inches thick can support a midsize pickup, according to the Maine Warden Service.
“Think twice before you go out on the ice,” Stevens said.
For more information about ice safety, go to goo.gl/lloHzK.
