Ice safety tips
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EmailThings to think about when heading out onto the ice.
Many people enjoy activities on frozen bodies of water. No matter what activities you enjoy, you need to be aware of potentially lifesaving tips and tools.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a list of ice safety tips that apply to everyone that goes out onto frozen bodies of water:
Things to consider before you go out:
- Ice conditions vary from lake to lake.
- Find a good local source - a bait shop or fishing guide - that is knowledgeable about ice conditions on the lake you want to fish on.
- Purchase a pair of ice picks or ice claws, which are available at most sporting goods stores.
- Tell a responsible adult where you are going and what time to expect you back. Relaying your plan can help save your life if something does happen to you on the ice.
What to know about ice:
- You can't always tell the strength of ice simply by its look, its thickness, the temperature or whether or not it is covered with snow.
- Clear ice that has a bluish tint is the strongest. Ice formed by melted and refrozen snow appears milky, and is very porous and weak.
- Ice covered by snow always should be presumed unsafe. Snow acts like an insulating blanket and slows the freezing process. Ice under the snow will be thinner and weaker. A snowfall also can warm up and melt existing ice.
- If there is slush on the ice, stay off. Slush ice is only about half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is no longer freezing from the bottom.
- Be especially cautious in areas where air temperatures have fluctuated. A warm spell may take several days to weaken the ice; however, when temperatures vary widely, causing the ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night, the result is a weak, "spongy" or honeycombed ice that is unsafe.
- The DNR does not recommend the standard "inch-thickness" guide used by many anglers and snowmobilers to determine ice safety. A minimum of four inches of clear ice is required to support an average person's weight on the ice, but since ice seldom forms at a uniform rate it is important to check ice thickness with a spud and ruler every few steps.
Venturing out on the ice:
- The DNR does not recommend taking a car or truck out onto the ice at any time.
- If you are walking out onto a frozen body of water with a group, avoid crossing ice in a single file.
- Never venture out alone without telling a responsible adult on shore your plans.
- Test ice thickness with an ice spud before you settle on a spot.
- If you are with a group, avoid standing together in a spot. Spread out.
- Wear a life jacket and bright colored clothing.
- Take a cell phone for emergency use.
- Look for large cracks or depressions in the ice and avoid those areas.
- Remember ice does not form with uniform thickness on any body of water. Underwater springs and currents can wear thin spots on the ice.
If you fall through:
- Try to remain calm.
- Don't remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes won't drag you down, but instead can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. This is especially true with a snowmobile suit.
- Turn in the water toward the direction you came from - that is probably the strongest ice.
- If you have them, dig the points of the ice picks into the ice and while vigorously kicking your feet, pull yourself onto the surface by sliding forward on the ice.
- Roll away from the area of weak ice. Rolling on the ice will distribute your weight to help avoid breaking through again.
- Get to shelter, heat, dry clothing and warm, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated drinks.
- Call 911 and seek medical attention if you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering, or have any other ill effects that may be symptoms of hypothermia (the life-threatening drop in the body's core temperature).
When ice fisherman prepare to head out, they usually go through a mental checklist of what they need, but many focus on fishing equipment and do not think of safety equipment. There are some simple tools to add to the checklist.
1. Ice cleats or creepers. Ice cleats or creepers attach to boots and consist of adjustable straps or rubber overshoes with metal teeth or spikes that provide additional traction on slippery ice and help to prevent falls.
2. A spud or Ice chisel. An ice spud is a long-handled blade that comes to a point on one side. You can use an ice chisel to punch a hole through the ice before you take a step to check the thickness. Many people have replaced their spud with an ice auger, but it is a good idea to take both.
3. Ice safety picks. Always bring two ice picks and wear them around your neck so that they are within quick reach. The ice picks can be stuck into the ice and then used to pull yourself back out if you happen to fall through.
4. Floating rescue rope. Make sure you have a floating rescue rope with you and keep the rope in an easily accessible location. If someone falls through, you may be able to assist by throwing the rope from a safe distance. If you should fall through, throw one end of the floating rope to a rescuer.
Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities.
