What Should You Do Immediately When Someone Falls Through The Ice?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Stay calm. Don't let the shock of falling into the ice-cold water take over. …
  2. Let your winter clothes act as a buoy. Keep your winter clothes on. …
  3. Turn back toward the direction you came from and use the solid ice to pull yourself out of the water. …
  4. Stay horizontal on the ice. …
  5. Warm up, quickly and carefully.

What should you do if someone falls through ice?

  1. Preach. United States Coast Guard. …
  2. Reach. If you can talk the victim out of the ice, wonderful! …
  3. Throw. If you can't reach the victim with a ladder or pole, try to throw them a line. …
  4. Row. If you can't reach and you can't throw something. …
  5. Go. …
  6. Treat Hypothermia.

How do you heat someone who fell through ice?

After you are out of the cold water, move to a warm place. Remove any wet clothing and dry off. Warm up slowly by

wrapping yourself in blankets

or by putting on dry clothing.

What should you do if someone falls into water?

  1. Get Help. Notify a lifeguard, if one is close. …
  2. Move the Person. Take the person out of the water.
  3. Check for Breathing. Place your ear next to the person's mouth and nose. …
  4. If the Person is Not Breathing, Check Pulse. …
  5. If There is No Pulse, Start CPR. …
  6. Repeat if Person Is Still Not Breathing.

How do you save someone from freezing?

  1. Call 911 if you suspect hypothermia.
  2. Restore Warmth Slowly. Get the person indoors. …
  3. Begin CPR, if Necessary, While Warming Person. If the person is not breathing, start CPR immediately. …
  4. Give Warm Fluids. Give the person a warm drink, if conscious. …
  5. Keep Body Temperature Up. …
  6. Follow Up.

What are the signs of weak or soft ice?

Good ice will “burp, squeak, groan and talk before it breaks. Rotten ice will fail without notice,” Slatten said.

Cracks and fissures

indicate weakening ice, Slatten said. Ice can lose 40 percent of its strength along a single crack.

Why do you roll in snow after falling in water?

The reason behind rolling in the snow naked after you fall into icy water is

to soak up the water off of you

. This will only work with really dry snow and only if your skin isnt warm enough to quickly melt more snow. You will lose heat quicker in wet clothes or if your skin is wet.

What happens if you fall into a frozen lake?

Because the water is so cold, your

body immediately goes into shock in

response to the frigid temperature. This shock lasts for 1-3 minutes, and because it causes your heart rate to rapidly accelerate, it can cause you to gasp and hyperventilate.

What happens when you fall into ice water?

Cold Water Shock Response – This is due to the rapid cooling of the skin and creates uncontrollable breathing or gasping that can last 1-2 minutes.

Drowning

can occur during this phase if your head goes under the surface and water is inhaled into the lungs. This is one of many benefits of wearing a life jacket.

What not to do when someone is drowning?

If you suspect someone is drowning, follow these USSSA guidelines:

“Throw, Don't Go”

— Never just jump in because a drowning person can accidentally pull their rescuers under with them. Tossing a lifesaving device, rope, towel, or even pool noodle helps the drowning person without increasing risk to others.

What are the signs of a drowning person?

  • Head low in the water with their mouth at water level.
  • Head tilted back with mouth open.
  • Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus.
  • Eyes entirely closed.
  • Hair that's flopped over the person's forehead or eyes.
  • Not using their legs but vertical in the water.
  • Hyperventilating or gasping.

What are signs that a swimmer may be in trouble?

  • Gasping for air.
  • A weak swim stroke.
  • Bobbing up and down in the water.
  • Hair in the eyes.
  • Swimming the wrong way in a current (if in the ocean)
  • Hand waving or arms out to the sides.
  • Swimmers floating face down.

What does dying of hypothermia feel like?

It starts to become an out-of-body experience quickly. Then You Feel

Hot

: Once your body temperature goes below 95 degrees that uncontrollable shaking suddenly stops. You feel warm, almost cozy, and the disorientation starts in earnest.

What is the safest thing to do for someone suspected of having hypothermia?

If you suspect someone has hypothermia,

call 911 or your local emergency number

. Then immediately take these steps: Gently move the person out of the cold. If going indoors isn't possible, protect the person from the wind, especially around the neck and head.

What temperature is too low for a person?

Body temperature

below 95°F (35°C)

is considered abnormally low, and the condition is known as hypothermia. This happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. Hypothermia is a medical emergency, which if left untreated can lead to brain damage and cardiac failure.

Does eating ice count as drinking water?

Is Eating Ice the Same As Drinking Water?

Yes and no

. Eating ice gives you some of the same benefits as water, but drinking water is a much more efficient method of hydration.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.