The Regina Fire Department had to save a man after he fell through ice over the weekend, which has our own city Fire department getting the word out about ice safety.

Last November, the Moose Jaw Fire Department were called to Wakamow Valley to save a deer that had fallen through the ice

Three weeks of consistently cold weather - below minus 8 - is what we need before you should step on the ice says Fire Chief Rod Montgomery. He recommends taking an auger with you so you can test to see how thick the ice is before you venture on.

"The rule of thumb is 4 inches of thickness for you to go out and ice fish, 5 inches for a snowmobile, 12 inches for a vehicle, and then a light half-ton or a medium truck you may need 15 inches. If it doesn't feel right or it doesn't look right, stay off it."

Ice thickness depends on the water-body and surrounding conditions. Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness and ice strength can vary considerably from one area to another.

"If you fall through the ice you will be in extremely cold water. First thing is to try not to panic, think about what you have to do. Try to tread water, don't gasp, put your arms up on to the ice and really just start to kick and pull. Once you do get up on the ice, stay flat and roll back from where you came."

Avoid ice that is:

  • Slushy in appearance.
  • Ice that has thawed then froze again.
  • Ice near moving water.
  • Layered ice caused by sudden temperature changes.
  • Also, stay away from heaves on the ice caused by pressure ridges.