An expert has revealed tips on how to escape if you fall through the ice into dark, freezing waters below this winter.
Maine-based documentary-maker Josh Gerritsen demonstrated how to safely get back to dry land if you’re unlucky enough to plunge into icy waters.
Every winter, there are tragic tales about people who have fallen through the ice and died from their injuries or from hypothermia.
Gerritsen, who frequently ice skates in ponds across Maine, has given top tips on how to avoid a similar horrific fate.
He recently started coaching small groups in Rockport on how to safely escape the water if they fall through the ice.
Gerritsen said it’s best to avoid falling through the ice in the first place, by assessing its strength, depth and density before venturing over.
He also said to avoid going solo, so that there’s always somebody else around if the worst does happen.
Gerritsen said to make sure the ice is at least four inches thick, using an auger, chisel or axe to assess the density.
An expert has revealed tips on how to escape if you fall through the ice into dark, freezing waters below this winter
Maine-based documentary-maker Josh Gerritsen demonstrated how to safely get back to dry land if you’re unlucky enough to plunge into icy waters
Blue and clear ice is usually an indication that it’s thick enough to skate over, though Gerritsen warned to also check for any hazards which could compromise it, like inlets and bridges.
If the worst does happen and you fall through the ice, Gerritsen recommends trying to stay calm and avoid scrambling to get out right away, as this could break more ice.
He advised spreading your arms out on the unbroken ice nearby and kicking as hard as you can to lift yourself onto it.
While you’re attempting to roll upwards, you should try to stay as horizontal over the ice as possible so you can simply slip out.
Gerritsen could be seen demonstrating the move out of Megunticook Lake in Camden, while wearing skates, a dry suit and a life jacket.
Every winter, there are tragic tales about people who have fallen through the ice and died from their injuries or from hypothermia
He used ice picks to escape by himself, then escaped using a rope pulled by another person to emulate both solo and group rescue missions.
‘The main reason I do this is … I want people to feel a little more empowered and not just scared,’ Gerritsen told the Bangor Daily News.
‘Knowledge is power, and when you know how to read the ice, how to measure the ice, how to be careful and to always have the safety tools, it takes away that irrational fear.
‘I think it’s good to have a healthy fear of the ice.’
