If You Break Through Ice

• Don’t panic.
  • Do not remove any protective gear. Your snowmobile suit and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes.
  • Get your head above the surface of the water, and get your breathing under control.
• Swim to the edge of the solid ice you were on before you fell in. Keep your gloves on.
• If you have a sharp object such as a knife or ice pick, jab it into the ice so that you can pull on it.
• Kick your feet as hard as you can, and pull yourself up quickly with your forearms. Do not put all your weight on your elbows.
• If the edge breaks off, move forward to the next solid edge and try again.
• Crawl up onto the ice, and then crawl or roll (but don't stand—you may break through again) until you're on solid ice.
• Take action immediately to prevent hypothermia.

If You Cannot Self-Rescue

If you break through ice and are unable to get yourself out of the freezing water:

• Get your arms and as much of your upper body as possible out of the water.
• Keep your arms still. Hopefully your clothes will freeze to the ice and keep you from falling back into the water.
• Call for help by yelling or using a signaling device.