The open water season is not yet completely closed, and fishermen are already waiting for the first ice. Fishing on the first ice - a completely different pleasure and excitement. However, safety on the ice should not be forgotten, as carelessness can cost lives. In this article I will try to tell you about safety rules on the first ice.

ATTENTION!

Careless behavior on the ice can cost you your life!

Checking the ice

Never take someone's word for it that the ice is already thick and fishable. Be sure to check everything yourself. Use peiken for this purpose. Ice that can withstand a sledgehammer will withstand you. It is necessary to check the ice with the pike at every step, because the ice can freeze unevenly, and if the pike cuts the ice, then it is not safe to continue. You can measure the thickness of the ice yourself as follows: drill or drill a hole near the shore and measure its thickness. This way you will be able to assess whether the ice is thick enough to climb on.

ATTENTION!

Ice is considered solid if its thickness is more than 7 cm.

Safety measures on ice

• The first ice should be moved slowly, with small steps.
• When you see cracks in the ice or hear a crack, lie down and crawl to a safer place.
• The main rule is to fish better with company than alone. Also, you should not move far from each other in order to help your friend.
• Carry the backpack on one strap, so you can quickly throw it away if needed.
• Do not walk in a dense group, the distance between people should be about two meters.
• Do not take a lot of heavy things with you, do not drive the car on the first ice.
• Do not make many holes close together, this increases the risk of the ice breaking.
• Do not drink alcohol while fishing, as even a slight lack of coordination can do you a disservice in an emergency. For winter fishing, it is better to make tea or coffee in a thermos.

What to do if you break

The most important thing is not to panic and not to waste energy and heat. Lie horizontally on the water, stretch your arms out to your sides and crawl onto the thick ice. When you get out of the water, only go in the direction you came from - this is a guaranteed safe way. It is extremely important to prepare not only before fishing tools, but also something that would help in an emergency.

ATTENTION!

There is an obligation to have ice fishing sharp, which could be used to get out of the breach. All fishermen must have them, regardless of ice thickness or other circumstances

You have no more than 15 minutes to save a person after being immersed in ice water. Staying in critically low temperature water for more than 15 minutes causes death. Be responsible and safe!