COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) took advantage of the cold temperatures and continued to train on the ice this past week. Most recently they conducted surface ice rescue training at Mill Race Park in downtown Columbus.
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, every winter thousands of Hoosiers safely enjoy fishing, skating, hiking, or just sliding around on frozen ponds and lakes. But also every year, people drown after falling through the ice.
CFD offers these tips to remember when considering standing on or walking on a frozen body of water:
- Assume no ice is safe ice
- Test the thickness of the ice with an ice auger.
- At least four inches of ice is recommended for ice fishing and five inches for snowmobiling
- If you don’t know the thickness of the ice, do not go on it
- Wear a life jacket or flotation coat
- Carry ice picks and rope gear
- Before going on the ice, leave a note of your whereabouts with a friend or family member
- Do not test the thickness of the ice while alone