MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Water Patrol Division, Post Office Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0568


News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt. Jerry Callahan
573-751-1000
WPD2011210
2-10-11

EMPHASIS: Warming Weather Spells Dangers On Ice -- Missouri State Highway Patrol Reminds Public Of Ice Safety

The Missouri State Highway Patrol cautions the public to be wary of and avoid walking on frozen bodies of water. Most of Missouri’s waterways have been at least partially ice covered at some point over the last few months. With the weather forecast predicting a short warming cycle and the encroaching spring, many of these frozen surfaces will be melting rapidly.

Four inches of good ice is the recommended thickness to support the weight of a person. Ice formed over natural bodies of water many times is not uniform in its thickness for a variety of reasons. Ice formed over moving current or naturally occurring springs tends not to be as strong. Other factors that can weaken ice are exposure to sunlight and snow covered ice as is present around most of the state. Snow can act as insulation, inhibiting ice formation and speeding up the melting process as the sun shines on it.

Adults should educate children about the dangers of playing on ice. Many ice victims start out as would-be rescuers. To prevent this from happening, do not go out onto the ice to rescue another person or retrieve a pet. To aid someone who has fallen through the ice the first step should be calling for emergency services. Most local fire departments have the quickest response time, the proper equipment, and have trained to handle ice emergencies. Rather than going out onto the ice one should extend a ladder, pole, or rope to a victim along with something that will float.

If you find yourself in the position of needing to be rescued, there are techniques that should be followed for self rescue. Try not to panic. Face the direction you came from and spread your arms out on the unbroken ice. Kick your feet and try to pull yourself onto the ice. Once out of the water, do not attempt to stand. Lying on the ice keeps your weight distributed. Roll away from the hole then crawl across the ice back to solid land.



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