Ice & Cold Water Safety Tips
Each year, many residents are injured from exposure in cold water incidents. Skaters and ice fishermen fall through the ice; boaters and canoeists overturn their crafts.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, each year there are over 7,000 drownings and 20,000 near-drownings in the United States. Over half of these incidents occur in cold water, (water less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit).
HOW THICK IS SAFE ICE?
Ice on moving water in rivers, streams and brooks is never safe. The thickness of ice on ponds and lakes depends upon water currents or springs, depth and natural objects such as tree stumps or rocks. Daily changes in temperature cause the ice to expand and contract, which affects its strength. Because of these factors, no one can declare the ice to be absolutely "safe".
THE ONLY "SAFE" ICE IS AT A SKATING ARENA
The M.D.C./M.W.R.A. reservoir system, which is located in Southborough, is NEVER considered to be safe. It is also ILLEGAL to trespass in the water and ice.
The Sudbury River Mill Pond, which is owned by the M.B.T.A., is private property, and posted No Trespassing. Because a river runs through it, the pond is NEVER considered to be safe.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEONE FALLS THROUGH THE ICE?
Act Quickly and call 9-1-1 for help immediately. Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.
DO NOT go out onto the ice. Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves.
Reach, Throw, or Row. Extend a branch, pole or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out to the victim or push it toward them.
HOW COLD IS COLD WATER?
Any water that is cooler than normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F) is by definition "cold water"
Cold water drains away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air!
Cold water does not have to be icy, it just has to be colder than you are to cause hypothermia.
The lower the temperature of the water, the faster the onset of hypothermia.
WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?
Hypothermia is the excessive lowering of body temperature. A drop n core temperature below 95 degrees F., causes shivering, confusion, loss of muscle strength, and if not treated and reversed leads to unconsciousness and death.
Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of hypothermia and cold water, not the fatal effects from water filled lungs!