Ice Awareness, From The DNR

[HD]

For some this is old news, but it never hurts for a reminder...........
Be safe!

Hunter


Several factors affect the relative safety of ice, like temperature, snow cover and currents.  According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a cordless, rechargeable electric drill is a new way to check ice conditions and the actual thickness.

“If you keep an eye on the bit as it bores into the ice, you can estimate how thick the ice is when it finally breaks through,” said Tim Smalley, Minnesota DNR water safety specialist. “To double check, you can use a tape measure to be sure the ice is thick enough for your planned activity.”

With a cordless drill and a long, five-eighths inch wood auger bit, people can drill through eight inches of ice in less than 30 seconds.
Most cordless drills that are at least 7.2 volts will work, but the  bit needs to be a wood auger bit with a metal spiral called a “flute”
around the shaft. The flutes pull the ice chips out of the hole and help keep it from getting stuck.

“It’s important to dry the bit and give it a quick spray of silicone lubricant after each use,” Smalley said. “Otherwise, the next time you open your toolkit, you’ll find your once shiny drill bit looking like a rusty nail.”

Smalley said people who don’t have access to a cordless drill may use an ice chisel or auger to check ice conditions, but they should also contact a local bait shop before venturing out on the ice.

According to the DNR, here are recommended minimum thicknesses for new clear ice:

4 inches for ice fishing and small group activities
5 inches for snowmobiles and ATVs
8- to 10-inches for small to medium cars and pickups.
The above thicknesses are for new clear ice. Old white ice - sometimes called “snow ice” - is only about one-half as strong, so the above numbers should be doubled. Vehicles weighing one ton should be parked at least 50 feet apart and moved every two hours to prevent sinking.

Ice safety pamphlets, posters and videos, are available online or by contacting the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll free 1-888-646-6367.

[Woody]

 

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[Bobby Bass]

Updated.....

[Woody]

Tips from the DNR

The Department of Natural Resources Web site, www.dnr.state.mn.us, offers information if a vehicle breaks through the ice.

The best time to escape a vehicle, as noted on the Web site, is before it sinks, not after. The vehicle will stay afloat a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the airtightness of the vehicle.

This will provide time to get out of the vehicle.

While the car is still afloat, the best escape hatches are the side windows. If windows are blocked, try to push the windshield or rear window out with feet or shoulders.

When the car is completely filled, the doors may be a little easier to open unless they are blocked by mud and silt. Remember, chances are, the vehicle will be upside down, because of the weight of the engine.

For more information, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us

[kingfisher1]

Updated.....

I don't care who you are, that's funny right there............

[sandmannd]

Keep in mind that no ice is ever safe. Just always be carful out there. I always hate to see vehicles go through but I really hate hearing of folks loosing their lives due to falling through.

[101PROOF]

That recommende ice thickness with the loader was great!. I was in crookston when that happen and a friends and he knows the guy that was driving the loader. His fish house was 100 yards away.

I sent him the picture with the loader to see if his friend could fill in the ? on ice thickness for the loader 

That is just to funny!

[kingfisher1]

Tips from the DNR

The Department of Natural Resources Web site, www.dnr.state.mn.us, offers information if a vehicle breaks through the ice.

The best time to escape a vehicle, as noted on the Web site, is before it sinks, not after. The vehicle will stay afloat a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the airtightness of the vehicle.

This will provide time to get out of the vehicle.

While the car is still afloat, the best escape hatches are the side windows. If windows are blocked, try to push the windshield or rear window out with feet or shoulders.

When the car is completely filled, the doors may be a little easier to open unless they are blocked by mud and silt. Remember, chances are, the vehicle will be upside down, because of the weight of the engine.

For more information, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us

There are tools on the market that will help punch out  window if your vehicle goes through the ice.  They are available at auto stores as well as (I believe) places like Gander and fleet farm.  The better ones have a "spike" at the tip of the tool and have a razor for your seat belt in a accident.  Most will come with velcro so you can place them near the wheel of your vehicle in case of an accident or falling through the ice.  One thing I like to do when driving on the ice is have a set of ice picks on my lap.  That way, if the ehicle goes under, I can use the pick to break the window (if need be) and to climb back onto the ice.

[sandmannd]

Picks and a hammer are good to have in your vehicle, but when you go through the ice I don't know if you would panic or not or have them handy. When driving my vehicle on ice I always and I mean always have at least the driver window down. If there is another person with me, their window is down. Might be cold, but if you drop through you can get out pretty dang quick.

[kingfisher1]

the pick that I mentioned, a lot of them come with strips of velcro so you can velcro it either under or near the steering wheel.  That way, it's handy and all you have to o is reach to the spot under the steering wheel, grab it, and use it.