#1 – Your ice rescue sled or device should be easy to deploy and should only require ONE rescuer to operate. One rescuer is all that is needed for a short distance rescue. Understand, the goal is to minimize potential risk to our rescuers; the fewer personnel, we put into the hazard zone, the better. The most important considerations is rescuer safety, always! Some teams will deploy inflatable boats, which typically require several rescue personnel to propel the craft out to the victim. This rescue method has put added weight on an already fragile ice situation. It is recommended that any rescuer, planning to make an ice rescue, be in top notch physical condition; considering water and ice are like an 800-pound gorilla.

#2 – The safety and durability of the device. In almost all instances when you’ve been called out to an ice rescue operation, the condition of the ice is not going to be smooth hockey rink ice. The ice conditions will most likely be fragile, weak, jagged and sharp edges that are exposed specifically where the person or animal has broken through the ice. The ice rescue sled needs to be puncture resistant and have design features built in that will allow the device to seamlessly go from open water to ice, with minimal effort from the rescue.The ice rescue sled should be able to accommodate all the tools that the rescue technician may need during the rescue.

#3- You must have a device that is buoyant, comfortable and equipped with hand holds. Buoyancy is critical, not only for you the rescuer, but also the victim that you are extricating from icy cold water. Remember the device will be utilized by both rescuer and patient, so the device should provide a level of comfort. Your sled should have padding and hand holds for the victim. Your device should be equipped with attachment points for a buoyancy device such as the Rescube sling or tube to aid in buoyancy for the victim.

#4- Your ice rescue transport sled needs to be ready for deployment at a moment’s notice. Yes, it needs to be 100% ready for immediate rescue deployment. When called out to a surface ice rescue operation, time is of the essence and you don’t have time to assemble or inflate a device. Rescue is about time!

#5- Your ice rescue sled or device should be light weight and easily transported to the scene of the rescue. It should not be large or cumbersome. It should be user friendly with color coded features to help assist in lessening the potential confusion with different set up methodologies, i.e. direct ingress or in haul – out haul system set up.

#6- You must also consider storing and transporting your ice rescue sled on the response apparatus. What compartment will be utilized? Will it be stored above or in a side door? The device should be apparatus, friendly. Most likely the device will be stored vertically and the ends should be squared off for stability when standing up. It should be less than 65” tall and less than 28” wide. Working within these measurements, the device will typically be able to be stored in many compartments with various rescue response vehicles.

#7- The perfect ice rescue transport sled needs to work in real-life conditions and situations. It must have a low profile. Real world conditions typically consist of windy conditions. When winds are present we must be low to the ground, with our weight dispersed and our center of gravity spread over the icy surface.

Conclusion – As you consider an ice rescue sled or device you should always look for equipment that has been constructed for you, the rescuer, and the victims you are planning to rescue. Your choice for an ice rescue sled should provide not only safety, but comfort and be rescuer friendly. Your sled should have features that accommodate a victim that has been in harsh icy cold water conditions, a victim that may have compromised health conditions and possibly hypothermic. Your sled should have padding and hand holds for the victim and be equipped with attachment points to accommodate a victim buoyancy device such as the Rescube sling. Your ice rescue sled or device should be low profile for windy weather conditions and provide a low center of gravity for body weight disbursement on weak fragile ice. Always remember, rescuer safety is the #1 priority!

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Public Safety personnel must consider and evaluate many aspects of the surface ice rescue when attempting a rescue, whether it is a person, or a dog that has fallen through the ice that may or may not be capable of getting themselves out unassisted. While evaluating these high risk/low frequency incidents, the rescuer’s safety is considered to be the highest priority.

All water response incidents should consider low to high risk ice rescue sequence procedures. These begin with the lowest risk, which is communication; then reach, throw, deploy, or go; and lastly helicopter operations, which has the highest risk factors involved. Communication is the simplest method that can be used and will only involve being able to talk the victim through the ice rescue sequence, and can be useful if the person is capable and able to assist with their own rescue. Establishing effective communication has often been the deciding factor for a quick and efficient rescue and is the best way to evaluate the condition of the victim. Effective communication can keep the public safety personnel safely on shore.

9-1-1 Reach Pole

The second option in the rescue sequence is reaching out to the victim with a rescue device or tool. Again, the thought process is this, the victim is willing and able to assist in his or her own self rescue and extrication from the ice. Reaching out to them with the classic 9-1-1 reach pole can offer a longer reach device that puts distance between the rescue professional and the unstable ice conditions. Ice Rescue Systems believes strongly in minimizing any risk to the rescuer.

Throw Bag

Your third option is by means of throwing a rope to your victim.  Most often throw bags consist of 75’ of water rescue line that floats. It is a great device that can reach out and touch our victim. While this is a very basic approach it is oftentimes the most effective method, however, most departments don’t take the time to practice throwing their bags. Accuracy with the throw bag is key to a successful rescue with this easy to use device, but it takes practice. With the use of the throw bag the victim may be able to pull themselves out of the ice and back to safe ground if they still have dexterity and strength. Keep in mind that the ice water is depleting their body temperature nearly twenty-five times faster than ambient air temperature.

Rapid Transport Sled

While the next two steps in the rescue sequence often involve both deploy and go, we must do this in a manner that first and foremost protects our rescue professional while offering the most efficient and best care to the hypothermic patient. This rescue method only happens if it has been established that the victim cannot self-extricate by means of communication, reach, or throw methods.

Real world ice rescue conditions typically consist of wind, blowing snow, open lake water, rough ice and sub-freezing temperatures. We recommend our Rapid Transport Sled, it has been  designed specifically to go from open water, up onto the ice shelf, and through open water to the victim while aiding and giving support to the rescue professional. The Rapid Transport Sled only requires one rescuer that is tethered to shore and aided by rescue tenders. The R.T.S. offers weight displacement with ice runners and channels that prevent ice and snow build up. The Rapid Transport Sled is easily and quickly deployed, with no assembly or inflation required the R.T.S. is ready for deployment. The Rapid Transport Sled keeps your body’s center of gravity low and easily moves through open water and icy snow packed surfaces.

Ice Rescube Sling

Remember, the victim is hypothermic and very fragile, with no or limited dexterity they have the potential to easily lose their grip and submerge. The most important step is to establish victim buoyancy. We use the Ice Rescube Sling which offers the highest amount of buoyancy in the industry. Our Ice Rescube Sling easily deploys in less than 10 seconds from the time of victim contact. Once the Ice Rescube Sling is on the victim, we no longer have to worry about the victim submerging.

This final phase of the rescue operation is very critical for the hypothermic victim because they are fragile, susceptible and vulnerable to injury, and even death. It is crucial that we exercise extreme caution when extricating the victim from the ice hole and transporting them  to the waiting ambulance. A victim with moderate to severe hypothermia should be handled very gently and kept in a horizontal position. When cold, the heart is very prone to ventricular fibrillation (VF) with any disturbance. Even cautious movement of a victim may induce VF. A victim who is moderately to severely hypothermic and not in cardiac arrest may experience severe cardiovascular stress if placed in a vertical position. The condition of the victim’s body is very fragile after exposure to extreme cold temperatures. During the extrication phase of the ice rescue, we slide the Rapid Transport Sled into the ice hole while simultaneously positioning our victim on the sled and securely attaching them to the Rapid Transport Sled. Next, we give the shore tenders the signal to bring us home. When being hauled from the ice hole the rescuer makes every effort to keep the victim as horizontal as possible. Caution, extracting a victim vertically can cause blood to pool in the legs resulting in a drop in blood pressure which can cause ventricular fibrillation (VF) or cardiac arrest. Our shore based personnel then begins to pull both victim and rescuer into shore in a slow and controlled manner.

As with all rescue techniques, procedures, and methods, they all require professional training. Ice Rescue Systems, offers student and instructor training courses. Contact icerescuesystems.com for more information. Ice Rescue Systems offers discounts to ERDI members.

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How could we build a better, more effective tool?

We needed better holding power on the ice, which ultimately could lead to a more efficient self-rescue. Through countless hours of videos, research and development, testing and trying many models, we established our patented Get a Grip® Ice Screw. Our engineers have provided quantitative measurements and comparison of the standard ice pick and our Get a Grip® Ice Screw. It was determined the Get a Grip® Ice Screw has 85% more surface area,  incredibly, this equates to 85% more grip to the surface of the ice.

After the engineers came back with the data we requested, we immediately started the testing phase. We needed proof that the computer model was accurate. Through testing, we realized overwhelming success with conclusive results!

When the Get a Grip® Ice Awls were tested on the ice, the ice surface no longer splintered out, but the awl actually held firmly to the ice surface, thereby allowing the tester to pull themselves across the ice efficiently. We were excited to see the benefit this discovery would be to the rescue professional as well as the outdoor enthusiast.

The Get a Grip® Ice Awl has many additional features, one of which is positive buoyancy. The awls can be dropped in water, recovered and utilized, these awls won’t sink on you. Get a Grip® Ice awls have no moving parts, as is common knowledge, the more moving parts, the better chance of breaking or wearing out more quickly. The Get a Grip® Ice Awls come standard with a 72 inch, bright red cord. The actual grips are easily managed with a foam neoprene handle, they are easier to grip which allows for precisely the right amount of force to be applied to the ice. The Get a Grip® Ice Awls come with Ice Rescue Systems Life Rescue Warranty. This means should you damage the Get a Grip® Ice Awls in a “real-life” self-rescue, simply return the damaged Get a Grip® Ice Awls and we will gladly replace them at no charge!

Don’t forget to check out Get a Grip® Solemates. Same great technology only applied directly to the soles of your winter boots.

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The ice is weak because a person or pet has broken through the ice and is now in the water. The rescuer must plan carefully, asking them self “is there open water to navigate? How is the weather? Is a person or an animal in the ice?” Remember we don’t want to break the ice around our victim; it may be the only thing keeping them from submergence. If a victim submerges and is under the ice shelf all is not lost the rescuer still has an opportunity to perform the rescue and give the victim a chance. The Tactical Reach Pole System comes with a grapnel attachment that can be used to snag a victim caught under the ice shelf.

It is essential to have the proper type of tools and equipment to perform the job effectively and efficiently in any rescue. Rescuers must always have the appropriate PPE for the job, “personal protective equipment,” that is of adequate design for exposure to the elements and extreme weather conditions. A personal floatation device (PFD) is always mandatory during an ice rescue with the use of a dry suit.

When executing any rescue long reach rescue is a safer alternative, because it minimizes the risk to the rescuer. The rescuer risk factor increases dramatically with an in-water rescue. Rescuers should try to avoid entering the water whenever possible, especially if a dog is in the ice and water. Dogs and people are in a high-stress environment, they are scared, and dogs will bite. In dog rescues it is important to be independent of the dog; the Tactical Reach Pole System is versatile equipped with attachments designed specifically for dog rescue, the DRD system (Dog Rescue Device) helps you keep your distance.

Can the victim be reached without the rescuer having to enter the water? It may be possible to rescue the victim with the Tactical Reach Pole alone; this system extends to thirteen feet even so; getting flotation to the victim is the essential first step. When the victim is buoyant, it reassures and calms them, and we know they are not going under, which gives the rescuer time to slow down and plan the next move. The Tactical Reach Pole System attached to the Pro Recon sling can be extended to reach approximately fifteen feet out to the victim.

It is crucial when traversing thin ice to disperse weight evenly and to stay off of the knees, remember the ice is fragile. The Rapid Transport Sled is designed to disperse the rescuer’s weight and provide a smooth ride back to shore for the compromised victim.

The Tactical Reach Pole System comes in a variety of lengths. The TRP is lightweight, buoyant, telescoping for more extended reach, stainless steel components, and compatible with the dog rescue device, self-rescue device, ice stability testing tool, RTS attachment kit available. The TRP comes with several attachments to meet all your long reach rescue needs. The Tactical Reach Pole System is an all season tool it can be used in swift water rescue incidents too, multiple uses for rescuers, victims, and dogs.

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Our metabolism is the way our bodies burn calories for fuel; our metabolic rate in turn heats our body.  Women with a less muscle to fat ratio are burning less fuel, it only stands to reason that they would not be as warm as most men. Studies have shown that on the average and in general women have a higher internal temperature than most men. They also have a higher percentage of fat just under the surface of their skin. While fat does conserve heat, it traps it at the core, below the skin, meaning you’ll still feel cold when your skin cools down, even if your core temperature is still warm.

Women vasoconstrict at a much faster rate than men in cold temperatures. This vasoconstriction shunts the body’s blood to the core to keep vital organs warm, thus making the skin and extremities feel colder. Once the body’s blood is directed below the skin’s surface and beneath the subcutaneous fat layer women begin to feel the effects of the cold. Women’s hands and feet are cooler than a man’s to begin with sometimes up to 3 degrees cooler. This temperature differential puts women at a disadvantage right from the start. Their hands and feet are the first to get even colder, which makes them susceptible to frost nip or frost bite.

On average a man will last a lot longer in the same temperature before he perceives the effects of the cold on his hands and feet. With that said, even though a woman’s body in an icy water situation may be internally warm and she may not be in a stage of severe hypothermia, yet she most likely has lost feeling and dexterity in her hands, arms, feet and legs which will make it potentially impossible to self extricate or to even hold onto the ice shelf till help arrives. As an ice rescue technician staying warm is a must and proper protective equipment and gear  is imperative; you need to be able to maintain dexterity to help not only rescue yourself but the people or pets you are going out to rescue.

It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, which usually follow a common course, although gender, age, health and other factors will have an effect on the temperature at which hypothermia will occur in an individual. Hypothermia is a condition where your core body temperature drops below a normal range. A lot of times, the person experiencing hypothermia doesn’t even realize it. Mild hypothermia is a body temperature between 95- 98 degrees, signs include shivering, stumbles when walking, mumbles when speaking, fumbles when using hands, feels cold and may have changes in personality. Moderate Hypothermia is a body temperature between 93-95 degrees, signs include extreme shivering, very uncoordinated, the person may be confused. Severe Hypothermia is a body temperature of 86-92 degrees, signs include, no shivering, very weak pulse and slow breathing.

In conclusion, make sure you are aware of the effects of cold temperatures on both men and women and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself as an ice rescue technician.

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Every public safety organization has an idea about what constitutes an actual surface ice rescue. Some would say that any water containing ice, where a rescue occurs will put the rescue in the category of a surface ice rescue. Surface ice rescue professional trainers believe that an ice rescue is only a surface ice rescue when it occurs in static water with less than a one knot current, any current above that makes it a swift water rescue. It is important to know the difference when executing a rescue in these opposing situations, as the equipment used in these situations varies and in most instances should not be interchangeable. Take for instance, a typical ice rescue suit; these suits should never be used in a swift water rescue. “Why you might ask,” Let me explain, these suits do not have a neck seal and are prone to flooding, or filling with water in a current. You can, however use a dry suit with a PFD (personal floatation device) in both swift water and surface ice rescue situations. It is vital, from a safety perspective to know the limitations of your equipment and to use the proper personal protective gear for each rescue scenarios to prevent accidents. When executing an ice rescue, as the technician, you will be suited with a harness and firmly tethered to the shore; your tether lines will be managed by a tender who is qualified in an operations level of certification for ice rescue. In swift water, as the technician you will be equipped with a PFD that has a live bait escape belt on it (also known as the cow tail). This live bait system allows you to take yourself off of the tether if you get into a situation where you or your victim may be endangered. In an ice rescue you never cut yourself off of your safety/lifeline, in swift water you may have to, so it is important to have this option made possible by being properly suited and equipped for the rescue. As a rescuer and to ensure your safety, it is a matter of life safety to be trained by a qualified knowledgeable training agency that puts your safety first. It is imperative to know what constitutes an ice rescue and to be properly trained for each and every incident. A rescue technician should always have the proper equipment for the rescue he is asked to perform. The rescuer should never feel pressured to “go “if he feels he is not up to it, or he is not properly trained, doesn’t have the proper equipment for the conditions, or he doesn’t feel safe in the situation.

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Ice Rescue Systems will be covering several aspects to make sure your department stays ahead of the game and is prepared to make an ice or water rescue. Over the next few months we will be giving helpful tips, with eye opening information that will not only make you safer, also better prepared and potentially better equipped.

We encourage all departments to take their ice rescue equipment out of summer storage and inspect it thoroughly and take inventory. A lot is dependent upon how carefully your equipment was prepared and packaged prior to storing in the off season. You may find upon further inspection of your equipment, that replacement of some or all may become necessary.

Let’s take a look at your PPE (personal protective equipment), your PPE may consist of suits, helmets, harnesses, ice cleats and ice awls. We will start with your ice rescue suit, an absolute necessity when performing an ice rescue. There are several areas to carefully consider and inspect on your ice rescue or dry-suit. Inspect any latex, silicone, or neoprene seals. You must check the overall condition of the material, its integrity, making sure it is without any stress areas or holes. If your suit has suspenders, make sure they are in place and have not been ripped from the glued fabric. Make sure the stitching is still intact and all glued areas are secure. Double check to make sure rodents haven’t nibbled and feasted on your suit.

Now, let’s move on to the zipper, the zipper is one of the most expensive components of your suit. Make sure you have a metal zipper and not a plastic zipper. Plastic zippers are typically associated with the “man overboard suits” typically referred to as “gumby suits.” Visually inspect the zipper. Has the zipper been bent or broken? Are there any missing teeth? Now we need to dress the zipper with paraffin wax. For the romantics in your department, have them bring in used dinner candles. There are many acceptable ways to do this, but there are a few areas of the zipper that should not get waxed. One major area is the channel between the teeth, to avoid getting wax in this channel it is best to wax the sides of the zipper and not directly on the top of the zipper. Make sure the zipper-pull moves freely on the zipper. Observe any unraveling of the zipper fabric on the outer edge of the zipper. Should you find any tiny unraveled fabric fibers on the outside of the “zipper channel” simply burn them off to prevent further unraveling, this method will prolong the life of the zipper. Once the outside, the inside and the zipper have been addressed we recommend doing a pressure test. The pressure test will ensure or determine if there are any holes or ruptured seams that may potentially leak.

Ice Rescue Systems strongly encourages you to call us to learn more about simple tips that will better prepare you for the ice rescue response.

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