Truesdale Lake  

South Salem, New York

January 23, 2016
by rob
Comments Off on Winter Ice Safety Post

Winter Ice Safety Post

(sorry for the blank post/email from earlier – was working on an older version of this and accidentally sent it out too soon.)

I have upgraded the ice safety 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.

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: (at site)

Continue reading

December 21, 2015
by rob
Comments Off on Winter Is Coming

Winter Is Coming

Everyone had such a great response to the Fall photo series, we’re back again for Winter!

Send your winter lake photos to lake@truesdalelake.com and I will post them at the lake website.

Photos can feature snow, ice, bare trees, fog, winter animals, winter activities like sledding or skating, fire pits, ice fishing — or pretty much anything that happens in winter around and on Truesdale Lake. If you have winter photos from past years send them in but please note the year if you know it.

If you have a title for your photo, let me know. All photos will be credited to the photographer.

Thanks! … Rob Continue reading

December 5, 2015
by rob
Comments Off on SAVE THE DATE — Caroling On The Beach – Sunday December 20 – 5:30 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE — Caroling On The Beach – Sunday December 20 – 5:30 p.m.

Come and join us for our annual caroling on the beach. We will be at the Gilbert Street Beach – and all are welcome – TLPOA members, TEA members, and all others.

Santa will join us, there will be a nice roaring fire, lots of hot cocoa and cookies, and some music. This is always a great part of the holiday season. Bring your voices, bring your friends, and come and have a good time! Continue reading

April 3, 2015
by rob
Comments Off on Muskrat and Melting Ice

Muskrat and Melting Ice

In 16 winters here I don’t remember seeing the ice stay past March 31st. This winter was so cold we entered the month of April with ice and it has stuck around for a few days.

The warm air and the cold ice made a foggy inversion layer today that just begged to be photographed.

I was taking photos of the fog, ice, and lake shore when a decent sized muskrat surfaced in the open water between the ice layer and the shoreline. I was able to snap off a few photos from our floating dock. Unfortunately as I went to change the settings to a higher shutter speed to catch the creature in action, he noticed me and ducked back under the ice. Continue reading

March 25, 2015
by rob
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Coyotes on the Lake

A pair of coyotes were spotted at various places on the lake today.

They were scavenging a deer carcass on the northern half of the lake and then scouting down to the southern end. They did a few rounds today and have been seen on other days as well. If you have any photos, please send them to lake@truesdalelake.com and we will post them here. Continue reading

December 16, 2014
by rob
Comments Off on Caroling on the TLPOA Beach – Dec 21st @5:30pm

Caroling on the TLPOA Beach – Dec 21st @5:30pm

From the Truesdalelake.Nextdoor.com website: Good afternoon to you all on this sunny and brisk December afternoon. We are planning to have our 38 or 39th annual caroling on the beach – on Sunday December 21 – starting at 5:30 p.m. … Continue reading

January 7, 2014
by rob
Comments Off on Ice Safety

Ice Safety

ICE SAFETY (this document is also available as a pdf download here) Truesdale Lake freezes in the winter and is often perfect for sledding, skating, ice hockey, cross country skiing and just taking a beautiful winter walk. However one must never go … Continue reading