Safety Advice
Never venture onto frozen ponds and lakes, now matter how safe it looks
If you see someone fall through the ice:
- Shout for assistance and send for the emergency services - call 999 or 112 - it's a free call from any phone
- Stay off the ice
- Shout to the casualty to keep still
- Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, a tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else that extends your reach
- When reaching for the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
- If you cannot reach them, slide something that floats like a rescue buoy across the ice for them to hold on to stay afloat
- If the casualty is out of reach, wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring them
After the casualty has been rescued from the ice:
- Make sure the ambulance is on its way
- Lay them flat, check their breathing and pulse and begin resuscitation if necessary
- Prevent them from getting colder by putting them in a sleeping bag or covering them including their head, with blankets or spare clothing
- Get them under shelter out of the cold
- Until the casualty is in a warm place do not undress them
- Do not rub their skin, apply hot water or give an alcoholic drink
- Keep them wrapped up so that they warm up gradually
If you fall through the ice:
- Keep calm and call for help
- If no help is available spread your arms across the surface of the ice
- If the ice is strong enough kick your legs and slide onto the ice
- Lie flat and pull yourself to the bank
- If the ice is very thin, break it in front of you and make your way to the shore
- If you cannot climb out, wait for help keeping as still as possible
- Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together
- Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up
Last updated: Friday 26 July 2013