Early Ice Safety Equipment

[Chode2235]

As a few of us get adventurous and try to get out on the ice in the next week or so, I thought we should quickly discuss the necessary safety equipment and what people do.

Here is what I take:

Hand spikes (make sure you wear them)

Long rope - I stuff it into the end of a bleach bottle, and if I need to throw it to someone I step on one end and throw the jug out to them. keeps the tangle down

Flotation devices - Throw cusion is a must (maybe tied to your rope?) Life jacket - easy and warm to wear under your jacket. I usually take my kayaking one as it isnt as bulky. AA helps, but it is not an approved floation device.

Chisel - Have a good heavy chisel to check your path, if you give it a good hit and it goes through, turn around and follow your tracks back.

Cell phone - call for help if you or someone you see gets into trouble.

Whistle - I have a safety whistle on my life vest, the thought is people can hear it better than me yelling. Especially if I am freezing.

What things am I missing, or what do you do differently?

[CrappieAttitude]

I like wearing ice creepers. I think one of the worst case scenerios is God forbid someone you are fishing with goes through, and when trying to pull them out with a rope, you can't get traction yourself.

CA

[shnelson]

This is a good topic, I like your list Chode.

I think it's always good idea to always let someone know when you're heading out, and when to expect you back - Especially with early ice.

It's not a bad idea to keep some extra safety equipment in your vehicle just incase something does happen. Change of clothes, cheap thermal blanket, a pack of handwarmers, etc. I think a lot of focus is spent on what to do if you go through the ice, but not a lot of focus on what to do when you make it out and are soaking wet.

[Bottle Fish]

shnelson

I have been thinking the same thing ever since I started ice fishing. There is plenty of threads about being safe on the ice and not enough of them of what to do after you get out.