Question:
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Thick ice is strong?
Answer:
Even thick ice may be
weak, especially if it contains layers of snow or water, if it
has frozen and thawed repeatedly or if it is spring ice.
Question:
Snow on top of ice makes
it stronger and freeze faster?
Answer:
Snow acts like an insulating
blanket. The ice under the snow will be thinner and weaker. A
snowfall can also insulate, warm-up and melt existing ice
Question:
For the same thickness,
all ice has the same strength?
Answer:
Different types of ice
have different strength for the same thickness. Clear blue, black
or green ice is the strongest. (4 inches) of this ice should safely
support 1 or 2 people. Ice with layers of snow or spring ice cannot
be trusted to support anyone.
Question:
Extreme cold means safe
thick ice?
Answer:
A cold snap with very
cold temperatures quickly weakens ice and can cause large cracks
within half a day. A warm spell will take several days to weaken
the ice.
Question:
Alcohol helps keep you warm
on cold winter nights, especially when snowmobile or ice fishing?
Answer:
Alcohol actually stimulates
blood vessel dilation at the surface of the skin, creating a feeling
of warmth. This process speeds up heat loss and makes it harder
to stay warm. Alcohol impairs judgment and increases the risk
of becoming involved in a serious ice-related incident.
Question:
If you know where you are
going and what the ice is like, it is safe to travel across the
ice at night?
Answer:
It is particularly dangerous
to travel on ice at night. Ice conditi
ons change daily and you
will generally not be able to see hazards or warning signs at
night.
Question:
The better you swim, the
better your chances of rescuing yourself if you fall through ice?
Answer:
Swimming skill plays
only a small part in ice-related rescues. After as little as five
minutes, cold water begins to rob you of your ability to move
your limbs. This makes it very difficult for you to get out of
the water, no matter how well you can swim.
