EMS: Courage and Compassion in Action: On Thin Ice

By Shawn GodfreyPrint Story | Email Story
Shawn Godfrey
Imagine this: While walking on the surface of a frozen lake, it begins to soften and make an eerie creaking sound under your feet. You immediately become motionless, hoping this will somehow make the ice more resistant to completely breaking through. Realizing there is nobody around and that you are too far from shore for anyone to hear you, sweat begins to bead on your forehead and your heart begins to race. Your gut feeling tells you not to move, however the thought of being trapped on the lake is not an acceptable alternative. You turn around and gently try to tiptoe back in the direction you came, but after a few more steps the ice suddenly gives way, plunging you into the dark frigid water. Several minutes go by as you frantically kick and scream trying to escape, but not a soul can see or hear you. As you gasp for air, you are too weak to hold onto the nearby ice; you finally give up and vanish below the surface. At this point something incredible happens: while you are underwater, the residual air in your chest prevents the water from entering your respiratory tract, and the cold temperature slows down your heart rate and metabolism, preventing brain damage from lack of oxygen. This transitory limbo from death lasts for approximately a half-hour before you are finally rescued and brought to the surface. The emergency providers, while administering medical care, handle you very gently on the way to the hospital. After arriving at the emergency room, you are resuscitated, passively warmed, and subsequently wake up, feeling as if you had simply taken a nap. How did this happen? The Body's Reaction to Submersion Submerging the body, primarily the nerves of the face, in water triggers what's called the "mammalian diving reflex." This response is found in all mammals and is designed to protect the body by putting it into "energy saving" mode to maximize the time it can stay under water. The effect of this reflex is greater in cold water than in warm water and has three principal effects:   ● Bradycardia: a slowing of the heart rate of up to 50 percent in humans.   ● Peripheral Vasoconstriction: the restriction of the blood flow to the limbs to increase the blood and oxygen supply to the vital organs, especially the brain.   ● Blood Shift: the shifting of blood to the thoracic cavity, the region of the chest between the diaphragm and the neck, to avoid the collapse of the lungs under higher pressure during deeper submersions. The reflex action is automatic and allows both a conscious and an unconscious person to survive longer without oxygen under water than in a comparable situation on dry land. Interestingly, most deaths from ice submersion accidents are not caused by drowning, but rather hypothermia. After you fall in, you'll only have approximately 10 minutes to remove yourself from the water before your body becomes too rigid to move because of the debilitating temperatures. Play Safe For many North Americans, spending time on a lake during the winter months is inherent. The frozen waters facilitate a variety of enjoyable activities, like ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling, to name a few. Like many winter activities, in the wrong conditions, a fun outing can lead to deadly results. As we know, nature can be brutal; however, the delicate nature of ice can present its own myriad challenges. Ice submersion accidents are preventable with the right knowledge and a little common sense. Here are some tips if you’re planning to head out on the ice this year: Safety Guidelines Communication   ● Always share your outing plans with another person. Let them know where you're going and when you're expected to return.   ● If you own a cell phone, citizens band (CB) radio or other communication device, take it with you. You may need this to contact authorities and/or rescue personnel. Place the device in a location that is easily accessible and, if possible, waterproof. Dress Appropriately   ● Always wear extra clothing. It's better to shed layers than suffer frostbite or hypothermia.   ● The outer layer should be wind resistant and waterproof, followed by several layers of breathable fabrics you can easily and safely remove.   ● Be sure to wear boots, hats and mittens or gloves. Your body loses the most heat from the head area. Keeping the head covered will allow the rest of you to feel warmer. Flotation Devices   ● Wear a life vest or take along a float-coat. Both provide maximum flotation capabilities. Some float-coats are relatively fashionable and will also protect you from hypothermia. =Avoid Alcohol Consumption   ● Alcoholic beverages increase the risks and speed up the onset for hypothermia. Alcohol also slows the body's reaction time and impairs overall judgment. Ice Safety   ● According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, "ice is never safe" because "it can be a foot thick in one area on a lake, and it can be one inch thick just a few yards away."   ● Use the Four-Inch Standard   ● Before gearing up, wait to access the ice until there is a minimum of at least 4-inches of solid ice.   ● If you are unable to gauge ice thickness on your own, contact your local Department of Natural Resources to inquire about current ice conditions. Don't Go Out Alone   ● Always go out on the ice with another person. This provides a way out, should unsafe conditions unexpectedly occur. Maintain a Safe Distance   ● As you make your way across the ice, maintain at least 6-feet between you and your companion. Superficial layers of ice, especially near the shore, may be passable by the weight of one person, but not by two. Read the Signs   ● Many lakes have aeration systems that provide an open area of water so that fish receive enough oxygen. Aerated areas are usually marked with diamond shaped "Thin Ice" signs or are fenced off.   ● Stay clear of these areas. In most cases, ice layers are often thin and weak from at least 12-feet beyond all points of these aeration systems. Look for Ice Color   ● According to the Minnesota DNR, ice color can dictate a lot. Look for gray, dark, or porous ice spots, which usually indicate soft ice. "Stale" or "spoiled" ice is slushy and usually thin. Hard, blue colored ice is usually indicative of strong, thick ice. Keep a Sharp Implement Nearby   ● If you fall in, you'll need something sharp to penetrate or dig into the ice to pull yourself to safety.   ● Experienced winter enthusiasts carry a pair of picks, ice claws or, in many instances, screwdrivers tied together.   ● Whatever implement you choose, make sure it's light enough not to sink to the bottom if it falls into the water along with you.   ● Store the tools safely in a jacket pocket or tie them to your gloves/mittens for easy access. Ice Travel Safety Motorized Guidelines   ● When driving a car or truck on the ice, open the windows and unlock the doors to allow for a quick escape. Some ice-safety experts recommend that you have your seat belt unfastened and your door slightly ajar to speed up an escape. Don't wear a lifejacket while riding inside an enclosed vehicle; the extra bulk and flotation could hamper your escape through a window.   ● If using an all-terrain vehicle, you'll need at least 5 inches of clear ice to safely travel. Cars and light trucks require at least 10 to 12 inches of ice thickness, and snowmobiles at least 6 inches.   ● When parking a car or truck on the ice, especially near the beginning or end of the winter season, move it often. Parking heavy vehicles in one place over a long period of time eventually weakens the ice. Also, never park any vehicle near cracks or pressure ridges. Know How to Handle an Emergency When Ice Begins to Crack:   ● Walk away from the crack in the direction you came from. Move to shore as quickly as possible. If You Fall in:   ● Have your companion immediately dial 911 or call for local rescue services.   ● Don't panic. Move to the edge of the ice where you fell in (that's where the ice is the strongest) and use your sharp implement(s) to pull yourself from the water.   ● Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. This will assist in keeping your body horizontal and help you "swim" out of the hole onto the ice.   ● If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. If unsuccessful, keep trying.   ● Once out, slowly roll at least 6-feet from the hole before you attempt to stand. This distance should separate you from the weakest point near the break. If Someone Else Falls In:   ● Keep calm. Immediately dial 911 or call for local rescue services.   ● Slowly walk toward the victim - never run. You may break through and then there will be two victims.   ● Position yourself on your stomach and stretch out to the victim. An alternative measure is to extend a branch, pole, auger, belt, ladder or line to the victim, and then pull them to safety. Rescue Measures   ● Ice rescues generally are the responsibility of the local community's fire department. The usual technique is to tie a line to a rescuer and have him or her crawl out on the ice to the victim. It's a slow process, but necessary to keep the rescuer's weight evenly spread out. If the victim slips below the surface, a dive team is brought in. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking.   ● A rescue boat can be used for speedier rescues if there's sufficient open water, but waves created by the boat can knock the victim from his perch on the ice.   ● Hovercrafts can move over the ice quickly but can break through when they settle, so they have to park at a distance from the victim.   ● Other than standard emergency procedures, one preferred ice rescue device is called "Rescue Alive." This apparatus is engineered specifically for ice rescues, and consists of two large pontoons with guardrails that are connected by crossbars. The rescuer can run over the ice to the victim while leaning on the guardrails. The thinner the ice, the more he or she leans on the guardrail to transfer more weight to the pontoons. Rescue Alive spreads the weight of the operator over 22 square feet. Compare this to the 0.5 square feet of just his or her two feet. A spiked paddle maintains headway should the craft break through into the water, and the spike will pull it along the ice.   ● The victim is slid up onto the crossbars and harnessed to the guardrails, so he or she is not dragged along the ice when the craft is retrieved via its tether to the shore. Conclusion In general, do not put yourself into needless danger by venturing out too soon or too late in the season. Also, following these safety guidelines may not qualify you to handle movie stunts on the ice, but they can help protect you from serious injury or death this winter. Sources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: www.dnr.state.mn.us/ Ice Fishing World: www.icefishingworld.com Angel Guard Products/Rescue Alive: www.angelguardproducts.com
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Brien Center Announces Vice President of Human Resources

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amy Thomson was recently named Vice President of Human Resources for the Brien Center, Berkshire County's largest behavioral health provider. 
 
In her new position, she will provide strategic direction and oversight for all aspects of the Human Resources functional areas including recruitment and retention, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management and professional development.
 
Immediately prior to joining The Brien Center, Thomson served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Annie Selke Companies. Other career positions include Director of Human Resources for Berkshire Healthcare Systems' Long Term Care Division, Vice President of Human Resources for Legacy Banks and Director of HR for Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. 
 
She is a resident of Pittsfield.
 
"We are excited that Amy has joined our leadership team, "said Christine Macbeth, President and CEO of the Brien Center. "The agency will benefit from her 30+ years in Human Resources and her skills in employee relations, compliance and benefit management, performance management and strategic focus. Her previous experience will serve her well as she leads her team in developing and implementing efficient and creative initiatives that will advance the HR components of the organization's strategic plan."
 
Thomson earned a Masters' Degree in Human Resources Management from Leslie University and a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College. She enjoys skiing, hiking, horseback riding and spending quality time with family and friends.
 
 
View Full Story

More Berkshire County Stories

Sports
image description

Big Second Half Lifts Hoosac Girls to Another State Title

Sports
Sports
image description

The Hunt for Red March: Hoosac Valley Girls, Boys Go for State...

Sports
Sports
image description

Kotek, Dupuis Win Individual State Titles

Sports
Sports
image description

Lee Bowlers Win State Championship

Sports
Sports
image description

McGovern Scores 1,000th as Hurricanes Advance

Sports
Sports
image description

Pittsfield's Mullen Takes Two Titles at State Alpine Meet

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?