Thin Ice Alert: Fire Service Issues Warning Across Czech Ponds and Lakes
Anyone who sees someone break through the ice should immediately call the emergency number 112 or 150
The ice on Czech ponds and reservoirs is currently still too unstable in many places for skaters. Fire services are warning against venturing onto the ice and provide guidance on how to behave safely on uncertain ice.
Despite persistent sub-zero temperatures for about a week, the ice on ponds and reservoirs is in many places too thin for skating. Several fire services point this out on their social media channels.
At Least Ten Centimetres of Ice
You should not go onto the ice until you are sure that the ice thickness is at least ten centimetres. For groups, the fire service recommends 18 to 20 centimetres. The ice thickness on a pond can vary greatly – it can be different at the shore, at inlets, outlets, or areas with currents.
Foto: Hasiči města Zbiroh | Facebook
If the ice cracks, you should immediately return to the shore or lie down to distribute your weight over a larger area. If you do fall in, spread your arms on the ice, kick with your legs in the water to pull yourself back onto the ice, and crawl towards the shore.
Rescue on Thin Ice: Important Tips in an Emergency
Anyone who sees someone fall through the ice should immediately call the emergency number 112 or 150. At low temperatures, the person who has fallen in can quickly lose consciousness and drown. Acting quickly and calmly is therefore crucial.
Before helping, you should assess your own abilities to avoid putting yourself in danger. Do not approach the victim standing up; distribute your weight and use aids such as branches or a rope. Clothing items, such as a jacket sleeve, can also help. After pulling the person out of the water, they must be wrapped warmly and put into dry clothing to protect them from further hypothermia until rescue services arrive.
