I have upgraded the ice safety post from an annual post at the beginning of winter to a permanent page under the Lake Management menu item at the top of the lake website. That way it will be easier to find if needed and I won’t forget to post the article 😉

Permanent article is here: http://truesdalelake.com/lake-management/ice-safety/ or click the Lake Management link above and go to Ice Safety.

Thanks to Scott Evans for the great summary and video link copied below.

What to do if you fall through the ice. DON’T PANIC!

1) COLD SHOCK PHASE (first minute of taking the plunge): Initial strong gasp, followed by inability to breathe for several seconds and then hyperventilation. Expect this response so that you don’t panic and so that you will start to breathe easier and sooner. Tread water vigorously back toward the place where you broke through. It will take one full minute before you can control your breathing again as the cold shock passes. It will pass!

2) SELF-RESCUE PHASE (within first ten minutes): Get both arms on top of the ice ledge where you broke through. You cannot pull your body out while your feet are vertically below your head. Start kicking your straightened legs vigorously feet while yelling loudly and repeatedly, “Kick and Pull, Kick and Pull! Get my body horizontal”! Continue kicking until your feet are thrashing through the surface of the water behind you and then pull your elbows into your waist while kicking with all your strength. When you are on top of the ice, roll your body back toward the strong ice away from where you broke through..

3) ASSISTED PHASE (if you lose strength and are not able to get out of the hole and on top of the ice): Place both arms flat on top of the ice ledge to keep your head, shoulders and chest out of the hypothermic water. Do not move your arms as you WANT to allow the wet material on your coat to freeze to the ice, in the event you lose consciousness. Make no further motions. Yell to rescuers to slide a ladder out to you. Grab the end rung of the ladder and the rescuer should pull the other end attached to a long rope. Be prepared to direct your own rescue if the good samaritan does not know how to deploy the ladder and the rope.

Also, watch the video linked below: