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No ice is safe ice.
That’s the message from police as Windsor and Essex County experience this winter’s first extended period of plummeting temperatures and creeks, ponds and other local bodies of water freeze over.
The Lifesaving Society of Ontario says approximately 35 per cent of drownings in Canada occur from October to April when most people have no intention of going into the water.
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The Ontario Provincial Police Essex County detachment’s recent warning to exercise extreme caution near any surfaces that may appear to be frozen is a reminder to residents that venturing onto lakes, ponds or reservoirs can easily have fatal results.
Why is ice unsafe?
Although recent temperatures have been very cold and it may appear that there is a thick layer of ice, officials warn it’s sometimes not thick enough to hold the weight of a person.
Ice can be affected by many factors, including temperature, currents, the age of the ice, pressure cracks and snow cover.
What happens if you fall through ice?
Police say the temperature of the water underneath the ice is cold enough to take your breath away. This can lead to panic and drowning.
Cold water can cause shock. Most people can only survive a few minutes in cold water.
Once a person is submerged, arms and legs can go numb, making it impossible to swim.
Hypothermia, where the body’s core temperature falls below 35 Celsius (95 F), can lead to heart failure and death.
All this can happen even if a person is a strong swimmer.
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Escalating symptoms of hypothermia
With mild hypothermia a person may start to shiver and exhibit some mental confusion.
If the hypothermia continues to a moderate stage, shivering will stop and confusion will increase.
In a severe case of hypothermia, a person may experience hallucinations and may remove their clothing — a rare phenomenon known as paradoxical undressing — because the person suddenly feels warm. It is almost always followed by unconsciousness and death.
Severe hypothermia also brings an increased risk of the heart stopping.
Carry survival items
Further from home, police recommend anyone venturing out during winter carry items that can help rescuers locate them and help them survive if necessary.
A distress signalling device, such as marine flares, waterproof flashlight or a whistle will help attract attention to someone in need of help.
A compass and a Global Positioning System (GPS) are recommended as well.
Carry a fully charged cellphone and store it in an inside pocket to keep it warm. Turn the phone off to conserve the battery and only use it when necessary.
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Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
An ice pick can help in the event someone falls through the ice.
For anyone stranded outside during winter, having plastic sheets, small tarpaulins or “space” blankets will help in setting up a make-shift shelter.
Carry energy bars and water and avoid alcohol consumption.
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Risks to rescuers
Although there have been no reported ice rescues yet this winter in Essex County, officials said any need for rescues has the potential to put the lives of first responders at great risk.
Police warn: no ice is safe ice
Police remind residents to always make safety a priority and to remember: no ice is safe ice.
For more information on cold water and ice safety, visit lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety online.
The OPP can be reached anywhere in the province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122 or by dialling *OPP on a mobile device.
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