Ice Safety - Orchard Lake Event Cache

There is a serious risk of injury or even loss of life if you would participate in this activity. No unnecessary risk will be taken, but the unpredictable could happen. Please consider this before you decide to go on the ice walk portion of this event.

Please follow social distancing guildlines while attending the event or during the ice walk.  Wearing a mask during this event has an added benifit as it can help keep your face warmer.  I will make an announcement the day before this event's date and report on the ice conditions.  If the ice conditions are not safe, I won't and you shouldn't go on to the ice.

You may have noticed caches that are located on islands, Apple Island in this case. Some of us have boats that can be used to access these caches, others don't. This event is for geocachers that don't have a boat to access those caches. This event and web page will help to educate you about ice safety. With this knowledge you may feel that you understand ice safety enough to walk on a frozen lake.  After I breifly talk about about ice safety and the ice claws are given out, we will, if ice conditions are good, will walk out to Apple Island.

If you ask the Coast Guard about when ice is safe, they will tell you that there is no such thing as safe ice.

We will meet at the posted waypoint which is the DNR  Orchard Lake Boat Launch. Afterward if conditions permit, we will start our walk to Apple Island . An access permit is required to enter this boat launch.  The Michigan Passport could be good here.

I will have three home made Ice Claws as prizes to anyone that does not own a pair.  I have held other "Ice Safety" events and given out these Ice Claws at them.  Please don't put your name in the drawing if you won a pair prevously.  But do bring them!

The schedule for the day will be as follows:
12:00 PM - Start to gather to meet.
12:15 PM - I'll discuss ice safety and highlight necessary equipment.
12:30 PM - We'll have the prize drawing at this point.
1:00 PM - If anyone want's to test their newly gained knowledge then we will take a walk out on to the frozen lake.

I will be visit Orchard Lake a few days prior to monitor the ice conditions prior to the event's date. Any hint of unsafe ice conditions will result in the cancellation of the ice walk.  The event will be held regardless.  Conditions should be good for a safe and fun walk.

Come prepared for cold and windy weather.  It's almost one mile each way to the island.  Several layers and a mask or scarf to keep your face sheltered from the wind is a must. A set of ice creepers that ice fisherman use are the best thing since sliced bread when walking on ice. The ice could have a crusted surface which can make the walk easier. If not the ice creepers are a must have item (unless you like falling on your bottom).

Below is more information about ice safety and outdoor survival. Everyone should read all of the material and visit the links for additional information.

I found a web page from the State of Minnesota ice safety. Please visit this web page. There's several pages, some with videos. Please review them.  Here's a web page on How to Survive a Fall Through The Ice.  Here's another web page on How to Rescue Someone Who Has Fallen Through Ice.  There could be better information out there but these seem to cover the issue pretty well.

What To Bring
Other then warm clothes here are a few items that will make anyone's trip on to ice safer.

• Ice spud.

• Ice creepers for your shoes.

• Ice claws. Used to help pull yourself out of a hole.

• A personal floation device such as a life preserver or a boat cushion.
• Cell phone.
• Rope (at least 50') attached to a flotation device tied to one end.
• A walking stick to help keep you upright. Can also be used for a rescue.
• Your GPS so you'll never be lost.  Blowing snow could put you in a bad situation very quickly.
• Snacks and drinks. The drinks can be hot. I usually bring bottled water.
   

Physical Condition
Anyone who goes out on the ice should be in reasonably good condition and be able to sustain periods of intense exertion if an emergency arises, either falling through the ice themselves or rescuing someone who does. Being able to swim, or at least being comfortable staying afloat, is important in an emergency and can reduce the chances for panic.

Clothing
Naturally you should choose clothing that provides protection from low air temperatures, wind, and precipitation while at the same time allowing you mobility. But in addition, when you select clothing, keep in mind the possibility of falling through the ice. Clothing that would severely restrict your ability to swim or to stay afloat is not a good choice. Hip boots or waders should never be worn, as they can fill with water and restrict movement while adding weight.
Most of your body heat is lost through your head and neck. So wear a hat and cover your face and neck. Dress in layers. Wool, silk or certain synthetics are best. They’ll keep you warm even if they’re wet. Insulated, waterproof boots, gloves and a windbreaker are very important. Bring extra clothing to be left in your vehicle. If you were to fall through the ice at least a dry set of clothing will be waiting for you.
Never wear cotton socks as a first layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and increases the risk of frostbite. Your first sock layer should be made of nylon or rayon. Next, cotton may be used but wool is preferred. Wool pulls moisture away from the feet, thus your skin stays drier. Many lightweight boots now come with a layer of Thinsulate, which provides twice the warmth of other synthetic insulation, and one and one-half times the warmth of down. Nothing keeps you warmer.
Mittens are much warmer than gloves. Most outdoors men know this by now. Mittens decrease the chance of frostbitten fingers. Somewhat cumbersome, mittens are available with removable fingers for the short time you may need fine motor skills.

Ice Formation
Ice is actually a very complex formation, and no ice is completely safe. New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As ice ages, the bond between the crystals decays making it more dangerous and weaker even if melting has not occurred. Ice thickness can be affected by many factors other than temperature. Factors like wind, wave action, natural springs, snow, obstacles protruding through the ice (like docks, limbs, logs, etc.) all can weaken ice.

Ice Thickness Guild

Gray or Black Ice
Rotting ice is the honeycombed ice that is in the advanced stage of disintegration and can appear gray to black in color due to being saturated with water. Gray or black ice should be avoided altogether as it is not safe to bear any weight load. Slush is a danger sign. It indicates that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and indicates weak or deteriorated ice.

Snow Ice
Snow ice is formed when water-soaked layers of snow are then frozen to form an ice layer. It has a very low density and is also very porous due to air pockets formed between the snow flakes, which makes it weak. It can have a white to opaque striped colored appearance due to the layers of thin frozen snow. Its porous state makes it structurally weak, and when it is chipped at and comes off in flakes, it should be avoided. Snow can insulate ice and keep it freezing future. The plane between the top of the ice and the bottom of the snow can create a melting area that will lead to the ice losing its strength and density. When ice is covered by snow, great precautions need to be taken to determine ice thickness before starting any activity. Snow can also hide cracked, weak, and open water areas.

Clear Ice
Clear ice is the ice to look for during your inspections. It is formed during extended periods of below freezing temperatures. It can have a blue tint and sometimes has a greenish tint due to the color of the water. Clear blue ice is by far the strongest and safest type of ice because it is very dense, not very porous, and the crystals forming it have a tight bond giving it its high density, strength, and structural stability. When chipping clear ice it will come off in chunks of solid ice. Clear ice is the strongest, but its location within a water body has an effect on its thickness. Clear ice can have tiny gas bubbles trapped in the ice as it freezes. You will notice that as the tiny bubbles are released from the bottom they will form a column in the ice. The weakest or worst ice will be next to shores and in the middle of a lake or pond. Caution must be used when in these areas.

River Ice
River ice is another issue all together. Only cross river ice or be on it as a last resort. If you have to cross river ice look for an area where the water is still as this is where the strongest ice will be found.

Cracks
Cracks are a normal part of ice formation. You may hear the cracks rumbling under your feet and this is normal. There are two types of cracks: wet cracks and dry cracks. Dry cracks are nothing to be concerned about. They are a result of the ice expanding on the upper layers due to increasing buildup of ice from the bottom, and this is actually a sign that the ice is getting stronger. Wet cracks are a danger sign because they indicate that the crack went clear through to the water level and caution should be taken. If wet cracks are present, load weights must be multiplied by 2.5 to find the new maximum weight load and the ice thickness needed to handle the activity.
When chipping at the ice and it comes off in chunks, it is an indication of high density and a strong bond between the ice molecules. When chipping at the ice and it comes off in flakes, thin layers or as honeycomb shaped pieces, it is an indication of low density and porous ice due to its deteriorating condition.

What If You Fall into the Water?
The most important thing is to stay calm and always look and work your way toward the shore (remember the weakest ice is in the center of the water body). Call out for help to others if they are close by. Place your hands up on the unbroken ice. This is why ice claws or ice picks are excellent safety device to carry with you. Try to swim onto the ice by pulling with your hands and ice claws, and by kicking your legs. If the ice breaks, keep trying. Once upon the ice, do not stand up. Distribute your weight out over a larger area by crawling, sliding, or rolling toward shore following your tracks made going out on the ice as you know the ice was safe to the point where you fell in.

What If Someone Else Falls into the Water?
Keep calm and look for others to help with a rescue plan. Do not run to the hole as you may go from rescuer to becoming a victim. Once you have more than one person to help, form a chain and crawl toward the hole. Throw a flotation device (like those mentioned under the “Safety Equipment” section) to the victim. Use anything of length to reach out to the victim like rope, cloths, ski poles or skis, jumper cables, tree limbs, or push a boat or other flotation device toward the hole. Follow the path taken by the victim, as the ice was safe to be on up to the point where the victim fell into the water. Distribute the weight of all rescuers by crawling, sliding, or rolling toward the victim and away from the rescue site.

Hypothermia
Hypothermia is the condition when the body loses heat faster than the body can produce heat, causing the body’s inner core temperature to drop. Normal body temperature is 98.6° but when the core body temperature drops below 95° the body starts into the condition called hypothermia. Cold water can drain away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than cold air. Immediate treatment for any victim falling through the ice must start as soon as the victim is on safe ground. The victim’s length of time under exposure, temperature of water, and clothes they are wearing will determine how fast they succumb to the effects of hypothermia. Shivering is the uncontrolled expansion and contraction of the muscles, and it is the body’s first line of defense against hypothermia.

Symptoms of Hypothermia

• Shivering
• Blue tint to skin color
• Poor coordination
• Slowing pace in walking or other activities
• Increasing numbness and loss of dexterity
• Dazed or confused look and actions
• Slurred and slow speech and slow to respond to questions
• Dilated pupils
• Hallucinations
• Decreased attention span and changes in personality

Field Treatment for the Victim of Hypothermia

• Get professional treatment as soon as possible, even if signs of hypothermia are no longer evident, as health related problems can still arise from even slight encounters with hypothermic symptoms. A potentially fatal condition called “after drop” can occur when cold blood from the body’s extremities starts to mix with the warmed blood circulating through the body.
• Get the victim into a shelter where the area can be heated slowly. Do not set the victim right by a fire or heat source, as a slow warm-up is better.
• If in an open area, block the victim from wind with a boat, sleeping bag, tree limbs, etc. If no shelter and no heat source are available, congregate as many people into as small an area as possible to allow body heat to warm the victim’s environment.
• Encourage movement of victim, but don’t make movements for them.
• Slowly feed the victim warm (approximately 110°F/ 43°C) sugary liquids like tea, hot chocolate, bouillon, or plain hot water; do not give them alcoholic beverages.
• Wrap the victim in warm blankets or sleeping bags.
• If using people to warm a victim, remove wet clothes as they draw heat from the body. The warmer (person aiding the victim) and the victim should be nude (underwear can be left on), as body-to-body contact is needed to start warming the victim. Each warmer should exercise vigorously before and after contact with the victim to maintain his or her own body temperature. The warmers should rotate every 30 minutes to allow them time to get their body temperature up to normal.
• Keep the victim’s head level with body with slight elevation of legs and feet.

What NEVER to Do with a Victim of Hypothermia

• Never them leave alone.
• Never apply ice.
• Never rub, massage, or force movement of victim’s body.
• Never apply heat directly to victim’s skin.
• Never give alcoholic or caffeinated beverages as it thins the blood giving a false sense of warming up when it actually works against the body’s efforts to warm the blood.
• Never allow smoking as it curtails blood circulation.
• Never give medications like painkillers, sedatives, or aspirin because you and they need to know real time symptoms.