Larimer County Dive Rescue Team

With winter upon us and temperatures now in the freezing range, it is important to know how to deal with these cold conditions. Because of these cold temperatures, most of the lakes and rivers in the area have frozen over and become potential hazards for people and pets to fall into and become trapped in the ice.

In general animals are smart enough to not go out onto ice so as Humans we should be as well.
Geese are extremely light for their size and are made to be on ice and in the water, they do not get stuck.
We all love our pets but your life is more valuable than your pet. Remember without you, your pet won't survive either.
Most animals when they fall into the ice are built with the ability to help themselves out, this is one of the reasons they have claws.
Ice is always dangerous, but more so when the weather has been warm.

Rules to follow:

Warm - Always dress appropriately for outside conditions. Remember that wind can lower the temperatures outside even more.
Safe - Erring on the side of safety is always better. Don't place yourself or others in harms way, if you aren't sure it is safe to do something then DON'T.
Dry - Stay out of the water or off the ice. In the winter water can bring on hypothermia extremely fast, leaving you too weak to save yourself.

If you do see someone fall through the ice here are some things you should do:

STOP! Do not run toward the ice! If the ice was not strong enough to hold the victim, then it is not strong enough to hold a rescuer.
Call 911 Immediately!
TALK to the person. Encourage the person to keep trying to stay afloat. Let him or her know you have called for help and they are on the way.
REACH out to the person. Use anything you can to reach the person without getting too close. Anything that extends your reach will work; a ski pole or a branch, for example.
THROW something to the person to pull him or her out. A throw rope made for this purpose, but you can also use a dog leash, jumper cables, or garden hoses.

Remember that your safety and the safety of those around you should always come first. If you just follow the simple rules of Warm, Safe and Dry you will be able to make it through the winter and have fun doing it.

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Bruce Lobmeyer is a long time member of the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team and is an instructor in both Ice Rescue and Swiftwater Rescue. He has also been responsible for all training on the team while he was appointed as the training coordinator.

Warm Safe and Dry