The local emergency services are advising Battlefords residents to refrain from on-ice activities at this time. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Thin ice

North Battleford advises caution around ice this season

Dec 8, 2020 | 10:00 AM

The North Battleford Fire Department and city of NB are urging residents to use caution when engaging in activities on or around the ice this season.

Many activities, including skating, ice fishing and riding snow machines across frozen bodies of water are considered high risk at this time.

Factors such as water current flow, depth of water, mild temperatures and melting and freezing cycles have contributed to make the current ice brittle and unstable.

Ice thickness guidelines. (Submitted photo/Province of Saskatchewan)

Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services, Lindsay Holm said it’s important to be especially cautious if venturing onto bodies of water, such as rivers, where there is an active current moving under the ice.

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“You have to be very careful with moving water under the ice because it does deteriorate the ice and it can have varying degrees of thickness as well,” he said.

Holm added it is always a good idea to check the ice depth before going out onto the ice in any capacity, and refrain from taking a vehicle out until there is at least 12 to 15 inches of ice depth solidified, which is not currently the case.

Those who do choose to engage in activities on the ice are advised to use extreme caution at this time and make sure some safety measures are in place.

Safety measures can include telling others of one’s planned location ahead of time, and carrying a cellphone in a waterproof carrier. If possible, residents are also encouraged to carry with them an emergency kit.

If the ice does break through, it is important to stay as calm as possible, and get to the edge to try and remove oneself from the water.

If witnessing someone else fall through the ice, bystanders are asked to call 911 and not rush out onto the ice. It will likely be very unstable surrounding the opening, meaning a heightened chance of also falling in could occur.

Instead of rushing in to potentially also be put in danger, Holm said it’s important to call 911 immediately and then try to stay engaged with the person who has fallen in from a safe distance.

“You want to make sure that you get the help you really need,” Holm said. “With ice rescues, just due to the temperature of the water and with how fast hypothermia will set in, we would recommend you keep an eye on the person, keep trying to talk to them, and then make sure you’re available to direct emergency personnel to where the person went through upon their arrival.”

A release from the city of North Battleford in connection with the Fire Department states that a good rule of thumb when around moving bodies of water such as rivers, is that the ice is never safe and you should avoid activities on and around these bodies.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1