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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has broken through ice on a pond, lake, or river and is in freezing water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person is in water surrounded by broken ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person is clinging to ice edge, unable to climb out.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cracking sounds or visible cracks spreading from where you stand.
Scene hazards: Thin ice breaking, Hypothermia, Cold shock, Rescuer falling through
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Tell them someone fell through ice — request rescue team.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout to the person: "Kick your legs! Pull yourself flat on the ice!"
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — From shore: Throw a rope, branch, ladder, or jumper cables tied together.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If on ice: Lie flat, crawl toward them, extend a pole — distribute your weight.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help them roll out onto ice toward the direction they came from — that ice already held their weight.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once out: Remove wet clothes, wrap in blankets. Do not rub limbs.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Person fell through ice at [location]. Possible hypothermia. Send rescue."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All ice immersion victims need hospital care for hypothermia — even if conscious.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT walk or run on ice toward the victim — you will fall through too.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pull them straight up vertically — they need to slide out horizontally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give alcohol or hot drinks immediately — warm the body gradually.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice that held one person will hold you too
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice strength varies. Your weight distribution and the victim's breakthrough weaken surrounding ice.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rescuer falls through, creating two victims.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cold water causes gasping and loss of muscle control within minutes. Hypothermia can kill in 15-30 minutes depending on water temperature.