2025-Jan-17
Recent Incidents Are a Stark Reminder That No Ice is Safe Ice!
Recent incidents on Lake Ontario, Lake Scugog, and Lake Simcoe are a stark reminder of the dangers of thin ice at this time of the year. Last week a Toronto man in his 70s tragically died after falling through the ice while skating on Lake Ontario, two people fell through thin ice on Lake Scugog but managed to escape safely, and a lone fisherman on Lake Simcoe was rescued after being trapped on an ice floe 450 when strong winds broke the ice, leaving him stranded.
NO ICE IS SAFE!
Even if the ice appears thick enough, there are still risks. Ice quality and thickness can change quickly and vary from location to location.
If you are venturing out onto the ice:
- Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return or bring a buddy
- Wear proper survival clothing, a personal floatation device and carry a fully charged cell phone
- Know the waters under the ice you will be on – depth and currents can impact the thickness and strength
- Watch the weather, as temperature fluctuations and precipitation may soften the ice
- Avoid slushy ice, untracked ice or ice near moving waters or dock bubblers
Learn the 1 – 10 – 1 Principle
OPP and fire services are trained in ice and water rescue, but valuable time is lost while they travel to incident locations. Self-rescue is likely your best and possibly your only chance to get out of the water.
- 1 minute to get your breathing under control
- 10 minutes of useful movement before hypothermia slows your motor functions
- 1 hour of survivability in ice water
Learn how to self-rescue and help others:Check out CBC’s tips on self-rescue and how to help rescue someone else.
Don’t risk it! If you’re unsure about the safety of the ice, stay off!