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If someone needs immediate help with fell through ice, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has broken through ice into freezing water — or you are in the water clinging to the ice edge.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Reach with rope. Pull out flat. Warm slowly.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person visible in water hole in ice, clinging to edge.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cracking sounds and spreading fractures around you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blue lips, shivering stopping, confusion — hypothermia worsening.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cold water removes body heat 25 times faster than air. Unconsciousness can occur in minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice near the hole is weak — rescuers often fall through approaching upright.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout for help and call 112 — say "person fell through ice".
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If on ice, lie flat and crawl toward the hole — distribute weight.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Throw rope or extend branch to victim — tell them to kick legs to horizontal then pull chest onto ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once out, roll or slide away from the hole — do not stand immediately.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not walk upright on ice near a breakthrough. Distribute weight by crawling or lying flat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Ice breakthrough. Person in freezing water. Hypothermia risk. Location [lake/pond name]."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Request ambulance and fire/rescue if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hypothermia victims need hospital rewarming even if they seem recovered.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT walk upright near the breakthrough edge.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rub frostbitten skin or use hot water immersion for rewarming.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give alcohol — it worsens heat loss.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pull a person straight up vertically out of an ice hole
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Victims should kick to horizontal and slide onto ice like a seal — ice edges break under vertical pull.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child was found in water, is struggling in water, or was just pulled out and is not responding normally.
Boat capsize
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your boat has overturned or is sinking and people are in the water.
Dam breach warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You receive warning that a dam may fail, gates are opening, or a wall of water is coming downstream.
Flood rising water
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising around your home, road, or vehicle — from rain, river overflow, or urban flooding.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wrap in dry blankets. Warm core first — armpits and groin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Monitor breathing — be ready for CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Handle gently — rough movement can trigger cardiac arrest.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice edge collapses and both people end up in water.