This winter’s weather has been a wild ride.
Fluctuating temperatures across the state have caused both snowmobile trail and ice conditions to change regularly. Be prepared for the elements by checking conditions before you head out.
If your plans include access to or use of an ice-covered water body, contact your local fishing clubs, bait shops or outfitters for ice conditions. Remember that no ice is safe ice.
If your plans include snowmobiling, check trail conditions with local snowmobile clubs or on Travel Wisconsin’s Snow Report: https://www.travelwisconsin.com/snowreport/snowmobile
And if the snowmobile trail you had your heart set on is closed, don’t trespass or ride off-trail.
ICE SAFETY
Think twice before going near cold water or ice, especially with the fluctuating temperatures we’re seeing around Wisconsin.
Cold water is always dangerous.
It can be life-threatening if you fall into cold water and do not have protection from the temperature or a lifejacket to help you stay afloat. You can experience cold shock, which can cause dramatic changes in your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, or incapacitation, where you lose the use of your hands and then your arms and legs.
These things can lead to hypothermia, a significant and potentially dangerous drop in body temperature.
Be safe around cold water and ice. Remember that no ice is safe ice.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL THROUGH ICE
No one ever really plans to fall through ice unexpectedly, but it can happen to anyone.
If it does happen to you, what should you do?
Try to remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Keep your clothing on unless the clothing is excessive weight that is pulling you under the water.
Do not swim aimlessly but do try to swim to the place where you fell in because, up until the breaking point, the ice there had supported your weight. If you are able to get up on the ice, crawl toward more solid ice.
If you are unable to swim or get up onto the ice but are wearing a life jacket, draw your knees to your chin and keep your legs together. Press both arms against your side and keep your head out of the water. This is called the Heat Escape Lessening Position and protects the critical body areas and slows down the loss of heat.
Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.
Once you’re out of the water, call 911 or the local emergency number and move to a warm place. Remove any wet clothing, dry yourself and warm yourself slowly by wrapping yourself in blankets or putting on dry clothing, warming your core first (trunk and abdomen), not your extremities (hands, feet). Warming your hands and feet first can cause shock. Monitor your breathing and circulation and wait for help to arrive.
SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA
With temperatures dipping below zero around the state, let’s brush up on cold weather safety and talk about hypothermia.
Hypothermia is a significant and potentially dangerous drop in body temperature, and it’s not something to take lightly.
It’s caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures.
If you’re outside for a long time in cold temperatures, like if you’re fishing, hiking or hunting in the winter, you can be at risk for hypothermia. You’re especially at risk for hypothermia if you fall into cold water and remain wet and cold.
Know the symptoms of hypothermia:
- Shivering
- Numbness
- Glassy stare
- Indifference
- Loss of consciousness
Take the person’s temperature if you notice any of the above signs. If it is below 95° F, get medical attention immediately.