Yesterday, January 21st, the Ottawa Fire Department braved the coldest day of the year so far, and were out on the ice practicing crucial frozen water rescue training. They were sharpening their skills to ensure they are ready for an ice emergency. Practice took place at the Ottawa Golf Course Lake, where they went through life saving techniques, perfecting quick and safe rescues on ice and in the water.
With the super cold temperatures the past several days, area lakes and ponds have frozen over; but is the ice thick enough to be on? Experts say the ice needs to be at least 4 inches thick before people should go on it. Sometimes that rule isn’t followed. What should you do if you fall through the ice? K-state fisheries and aquatics extension specialist, Joe Gerken tell us what people should do if they fall through:
Hypothermia can cripple your ability to get out of the water in a matter of minutes. Fire officials say if you are on the ice, make sure someone is with you, preferable on shore in case of an emergency.
