Ice on the canal: Safety Advice

With temperatures dropping, Winter seems to have well and truly arrived! The recent colder mornings have even caused ice to appear on the canal.

Here is some advice from The Royal Life Saving Society UK to make sure you stay safe around the frozen water.

Take note of these tips to know what to do in an emergency:

  • Children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice
  • Teach children not to go on to frozen water under any circumstances.
  • Pets should be kept on leads when near frozen water and owners refrain from throwing objects onto ice for them to retrieve

Safety Tips – The dangers of frozen waters

If you see someone fall through the ice:

  • Shout for assistance, get help also by phoning the emergency services (call 999 or 112)
  • Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue
  • Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm
  • Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach
  • When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
  • If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way
  • If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty

After the casualty has been rescued from the ice:

  • Make sure the ambulance is on its way
  • Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary
  • Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc
  • Get them out of the cold under cover or create some shelter around them
  • Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them
  • Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink
  • Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually

If you fall through the ice:

  • Keep calm and shout for ‘help’
  • Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
  • If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice
  • Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
  • If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank breaking the ice in front of you anyway
  • If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
  • Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up
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