Winter is the most challenging season of the year, the temperature drops, ice form and snow might be piling up everywhere. To make things worse trees and bushes have mostly shaved their leaves and fruits, leaving for a poor wild pantry except for animals, birds and fish.

The human body is meant for survival in warmer climates where the temperature is between 20-30 degrees Celsius. We have adapted to other regions though through our use of tools and natural resources, clothes, shelters and today thrive almost everywhere on earth.

Winter is still the most dangerous season though despite all our adaption and it is important to know the dangers before going outdoors during the winter season.

Ice

Is is starting to form when the temperature is at zero degrees Celsius. Given enough time ice will form into various shapes, many beautiful but usually deadly if in the wrong situation.

When the temperature is below zero degrees long enough lakes and even seas will start to be covered by ice. Some of these are safe to travel if thick enough while others are always treacherous.

The nine rules for a safe ice travel

When travelling on ice always follow these rules:

• Never walk on ice that you are not certain it will hold. The ice must be at least 10centimeters thick straight through.
• Never be alone. If something happens and you go through the ice having a fiend close by could save your life.
• Always bring ice studs and wear them around your neck. They are of no use in a pocket or backpack.
• Always bring an ice pick to be able to test the ice.
• Remember that newly formed ice, ice that stay around after winter, ice that is covered in snow and sea ice all can be weak.
• All ice got natural weak points.
  • Around reeds and other water growing plants ice has a harder time to grow thick.
  • Around jetties, bridges and shoals the ice instead tend to break a lot as the water rises and falls.
  • Any stream or running body of water such as outlets, inlets, sewers, streams and rivers move the ice when it forms and so the ice never get a chance to settle. Check around the shores and you will easily see that there will be thin ice or even running water at these locations.
• If you are skating or skiing on the ice, the higher your speed the further out on unsafe ice you will get before it breaks and the harder it will be to get to safety or be rescued.
• Always make sure to inform someone of where you are going and when you will be back if you will travel on ice.
• If you are going to try and rescue someone that goes through the ice, make sure you got something to extend your reach. Never crawl to the edge of the ice, if you do you will just fall in as well as you try to help. Better to use a long stick or rope.

Ice studs

Ice studs are a pair of plastic or wooden handles with a pointy metal nail on each. They are attached together with a rope on the ends so that you can carry them around your neck without trouble. A whistle without a metal ball inside it is attached to the rope or the studs, so you can call for help. Replace any whistle with a metal ball as the ball can freeze the whole whistle once it come in contact with water.

There is a lot of variations of these and they are all good as long as they follow the description above. Just make sure that you and everyone else that might be travelling with you got their own pair. Never go without.

Always carry the ice studs high up around your neck and outside of all your clothes and gear. That way you can easily reach them if you go through the ice even with your gloves on.

Make sure you practice the technique for using the ice studs before travelling on the ice. This also confirms that your gear is not in the way and that they are functioning as intended.

Lay down with your stomach on the ice, release the studs with your gloves still on by pulling them forward so the whole rope comes lose. Strike them firmly into the ice in front of you with the nail in an angle towards you. Then pull yourself forward using only your arms.

Now even if you have ice studs it is not certain you can get up depending on the nature of the hole in the ice, so do not take them as a replacement for having a travelling companion along who can pull you up with a rope. But they can at least get you partially out of the freezing water which is a massive difference to be submerged.

Rescue rope

A companion with a rescue rope while travelling on ice is very important. Just as important as the fact that you got one yourself in case your companion goes through the ice. In a large group it might not be needed that everyone got a rope but make sure they are spread on the group.

The rescue rope must float, have a float block and have a foam protected throwing weight to avoid injuring the one you need to rescue. The length of a standard rope is 23 meters and there is usually a loop and a metal ring at the end. The ring can be used as a stud by stepping on it to secure the rope. If it is missing attach the loop to one of your ice studs instead that you have firmly secured in the ice with your foot. The rope is usually in a rope bag of heavy fabric with a loop that can be attached to your arm.

You attach the end of the rescue rope to your backpacks shoulder strap and then carry the folded rope where you can easily reach it with your primary hand. Usually there is open net pockets on the sides of the backpack, but if there is not attach it with a rubber band that you can easily tear of by just grabbing and pulling the rope.

As with the ice studs, practice grabbing the rope and throwing it a few times before going out on the ice. This also verified that the rope is whole as well as refreshes your throwing technique, something you don’t want to do when you need to help someone.

Ice pick

The ice pick is used to judge if the ice is strong enough to carry you or not. You should always have at least one ice pick in every group that is travelling on ice. Do not use a ski staff as replacement, they are not heavy enough.

The ice pick must be able to float but still have a certain weight. The end must be sharp and be able to give you a good response when used on the ice. Use it often when travelling and especially if the ice shifts in colour, shape or sound.

The ice pick is used by hitting the ice with force, if it is able to penetrate it then the ice is to weak. Turn around and head back a bit before looking for a new way forward.

The ice pick can also serve as a extended arm when helping someone in the water should it not work with a rope.

Float help

Float help is important. If you got some kind of life or rescue jacket it will drastic improve your chance of survival should you fall into the water. A life jacket will keep you floating while a rescue jacket will also support your neck and keep your head above the waterline even if you become unconscious.

If it is a trip for ice fishing, a float overall, rescue suit or dry suit is also good. A backpack correctly packed with all change of clothes stuffed in sealed plastic bags will also serve as makeshift float help. The backpack must have a waist belt though otherwise it will rise uncontrollable and push down your face towards the water.