Ice Safety as Winter Becomes Spring in British Columbia

With spring right around the corner, ice is starting to thaw across B.C. As the season changes, it’s important to know how to stay safe around ice, and when it’s time to pack away your skates or ice fishing rods. As temperatures rise, frozen bodies of water may no longer be safe to recreate on. Our friends at AdventureSmart have guidelines that can help you stay safe during this transition period. 

Understanding the basics of ice thickness is the key to stay safe. The recommended minimum depth for activities on new, clear, hard ice is: 

• 10 cm for walking, cross-country skiing, or ice fishing 
• 12 cm for snowmobiling 
• 20-30 cm for a car or small pickup truck 

Ice conditions and thickness can be different across a single frozen body of water, so don’t assume conditions are safe without personally confirming the ice thickness where you plan to recreate.  

If you break through the ice: 

• Do not panic 
• Turn toward the direction you came from, and place your hands and arms flat on the unbroken surface 
• Kick your feet and try to push yourself up on your stomach onto the unbroken ice, like a seal 
• Once you are lying on the ice, don’t stand up. Roll away from the break until you are on solid ice 

If your buddy breaks through the ice: 

• Stay calm and think of a solution 
• Don’t run up to the hole. You might also break through, and you’ll both need help 
• Use an item to throw or extend to your friend to pull them out of the water. If you don’t have rope, improvise with items like jumper cables, skis, a branch, a pole, etc. 
• If you can’t rescue your friend immediately, call 911 

Enjoy winter activities while staying safe. Learn more about winter safety by visiting www.adventuresmart.ca/winter-safety/