Grande Prairie has been experiencing some rather “spring-like” conditions in recent days and with temperatures forecasted to pick up once again, Alberta Fish and Wildlife is encouraging residents to exercise some caution if they plan on using the ice for recreation this winter.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services Sergeant Tim Krikun says no matter what the weather looks like, preparation and awareness are key to ensuring you have a safe time on the ice.
“Awareness is most important, there’s lots of information out there and as far I can see, its all very consistent, but at the end of the day though, it’s up to you to judge your safety and make good decisions,” he says. “In general, warm weather, obviously there will be some thawing, so you want to make sure the ice is thick enough, we recommend ten centimetres for foot traffic, and over a foot with vehicles.”
The Sergeant says looking out for other people using something like a lake, and paying attention to where they are on the water body is generally a good rule of thumb to determine where the ice is safe.
“I would suggest going near to where people are, obviously they’ve tested the lake and made their judgment so that’s something you can base your safety decision-making on,” he says. “With thawing, you can look for things like overflow; that’s a condition where there’s water on the surface and it’ll be perhaps a different density or consistency than regular ice.”
Despite this, Krikun says ice thickness can change “even in the best conditions,” so outdoorsmen should be mindful of some other critical factors, especially when taking a vehicle on the ice.
Krikun says there are a number of factors to determine ice conditions before, during, and after a trip. To mitigate any risk, the Sergeant suggests knowing a body of water, and its unique factors can be crucial in your safety on the ice. He says avoiding any streams or moving water, watching out for aerators or bubblers, and signs of air pockets are all important factors to consider before embarking on your frozen adventure.
“ You’ll notice thawing along the shore first, so that’s giving an idea that, yeah, the ice is starting to go out,” he says. “ There can be some air pockets and open areas of open water, and it could be February, and there’ll be gas emitting from underneath and keeping areas open and they’re not easy to see.”
If you decide to use a vehicle, Krikun says one of the number one safety factors is actually something you can control- speed.
“ If you’re going to explore, definitely be very careful, keep your speed low, the faster you go, you actually create pressure waves under the ice or waves under the ice, and that could result in a crack or a heave or even something opening up in front of you over time.”
Holes in the ice from augers, ice saws, and chain saws are also common during the winter months, and Krikun says if you aren’t looking out, they can cause serious issues for those who might be unaware.
“ They can be over a foot and you can definitely get a tire in there, or if you’re wandering around you could slip into one of those,” he says. “ Even auger holes, they can get larger, so something to be aware of.”
But what if all else fails and you end up in the water anyway? Krikun says this is where preparation becomes critical. He says simple steps like bringing extra clothing, having a way to self-rescue, and being prepared to rescue someone else can make a significant impact on the urgency of the situation.
“Preparation is key, the gear that you bring- extra clothing, be prepared in the event that somebody gets wet or slips into a hole,” he says. “If you do go in, definitely don’t panic, that’s the worst thing you can do, and have your ice picks ready, they’re not going to do you any good in the truck, in the bottom of your pack.”
“If you’re going to utilize the self-rescue technique, have it available, you might not be successful those first few times, but you will get a more solid piece of ice and just be persistent, don’t waste energy, be purposeful in your self-rescue.”
When it comes to rescuing someone else, Krikun suggests keeping something like a throw bag or a rope handy for peace of mind while out on the ice.
“I would suggest a rope or a throw bag, you can get that at any kind of camping store, we use it in swift water rescue,” he says. “The nice thing about them is you can actually direct that rescue attempt right to the person without getting too close.”
Krikun emphasizes the importance of preparation above all else, saying no matter how confident an outdoorsman may be, the simple fact is nature can change quickly, and it is always better to be ready.
