What safety gear do you carry with you?

[nemoski]

Yesterday, my cousin and I were in a situation I never want to be in again. He drilled a hole, and as I was going over with my Vexilar to see how much water we had, he stated "That went through way too fast." I took one step closer and heard cracking, so quickly turned around. (Every other hole we drilled we had 5-6 inches of very good blue ice) He got on his four wheeler, me on my snowmobile to get the heck out of there as fast as we could. We kept our distance as we left, and didn't get too far before I watched as his four wheeler went face first into about 16 fow. I was very scared as I watched this unfold. Apparently he wasn't too bothered by what was going on, he had the calmness to grab the rack on the back of the four wheeler, keeping it at a level which he could grab a rope out of the bag on the wheeler and tie the rope to the rack. Then he slowly let the wheeler go down. The only thing that wasn't submerged at this point was the back tires, and very fortunately, my cousin.

We got very lucky, we saved everything except his power auger. We got help and some safety equipment and retrieved the four wheeler.

As I was standing there watching this unfold, I felt almost helpless. I didn't know what to do, and I didn't have anything to do it with. I made a deal with him and my other fishing partners that I wasn't going on the ice again until I have a safety kit that would allow me to at least try to save someone or myself if necessary, because you just never know when or where something like this could happen.

What do you folks carry in your safety kit?

[DTro]

Scary story

Unfortunately I don’t carry as much as I should. It kind of impractical to have bunch of stuff to carry.

This is one of the main reasons I chose to purchase the Arctic Armor suit. One less thing to worry about. I also carry a few other items such as ice picks, a working lighter. I also have a small tool kit and tow strap in the sled.

A cell phone with a good battery is one of the most important things I think. All the safety equipment in the world won’t help you if you are alone and seriously injure yourself or have a heart attack or something.

[Scott827]

I always have ice picks around my neck and a rope with a dock bumper tied to it in my sled. I also wear Artic Armour. I never had to use my saftey items and hope I never do. I also have a spud bar being shipped to me right now. My fishing buddies have nothing.

Scott

[NoWiser]

I went for a swim 2 winters ago one dark night two miles from the nearest cabin. I pretty much had made peace with the fact that that was where I was going to die but right at the last minute my gloves froze to the ice I was clinging onto and I was able to pull myself up one last time onto solid ice. Since then I NEVER, EVER go onto the ice without a pair of ice picks. I bought multiple pairs and keep them all over so that I can't forget them on a trip. I also carry a long rope with that is easily throwable. In my pocket is a ziplock with waterproof matches in it in case I need to start a fire on shore. One thing I need to start doing is to keep my cell in a waterproof container. The night I went through my cell was shot from being submerged and I could not call for help but had to walk to shore in the single digit temps, fighting hypothermia the whole way.

Last year I got my dad a pair of Arctic Armor as he is not as strong of a swimmer as I am. I am strongly considereing getting a pair myself as I am due for some new clothes, but am having trouble biting the bullet on a set of clothes for that much money with as much complaints as my dad has with them. I still think I will probably invest in a pair next year as swimming in pack boots, bibs, and a parka is not an easy task. If I had to pick one thing I would not go on the ice without now, it would be ICE PICKS!

[gatorhunter]

The first thing that you did right was use a snowmobile. If there is snow on the ice then use a sled. You can travel on all kinds of thin ice and some open water on a sled. You can't do that on a quad.

You left when you felt that the ice wasn't right which is another thing that you did right. I don't know if you back tracked but because the quad broke through, I'll assume that you didn't. You had a "safe" route so it's good to back track.

Check the ice ahead of you by punching holes with the auger, axe or needle bar

Wear some sort of flotation outer wear.

Carry picks in your sleeves should you break through.

Otherwise, there isn't much else that you can do for early ice!

[leakywaders]

My buddy has a throw-rope that he carries with him ice fishing, as well as when canoeing. I think he said he got it through a canoeing equipment supplier.

It is basically a nylon rope coiled in bag that can easily be thrown to someone in need. Might put that on your list. Or maybe one of those life preservers that you can throw with a rope on it.

Glad to hear no one got hurt.

Brian

[GBPackerNut]

I am glad to hear everything came out ok, scary I agree.

NoWiser "but am having trouble biting the bullet on a set of clothes for that much money with as much complaints as my dad has with them"

What kind of complaints does he have? I am thinking about ordering Artic Armor this week, but it would be nice to know what problems exist.

[NoWiser]

PackerNut,

Not really any HUGE complaints by him, but enough for me to hold off for a bit. I don't want to get off topic with this thread but basically both ankle straps fell off within about a week of wearing them, they weren't as warm as his old clothes, they leaked when he tried to wear them as rain gear, and snow clings to them so he looks like a tall skinny snowman at the end of the day. The new all black suits I think would really help with the last complaint, especially if the sun is out, his was the camo with the fuzzy surface. I also know people who have the suit that love it. I really think it is a no-brainer that if you are looking for a new set of outerwear, you should get the stuff that floats! Basically I was waiting for them to wise up and make a black suit, and sure enough they did. I will most likely have a pair next winter.

Also, Gatorhunter brought up a great point. If you ever find yourself in that situation, make sure you backtrack!! It would have saved me two extra plunges into the drink that night. Its hard to think when you are in 34 degree water, but try to remember that one piece of advice!

Nemoski....I'm glad everything turned out well for you. That is scary.

[nemoski]

I know that we were very lucky! I take a lot of things for granted that I shouldn't. I have really never been afraid of the ice, and never really fully considered the danger involved. This has definately woke me up- I was scared out of my mind. My wife always tells me that she is very afraid of the ice and that she wishes I wouldn't go- and I always tell her that everything will be alright. I now know that things can change in a split second, and you need to be prepared for the unexpected.

Arctic Armor sounds like a product that will be in my arsenal very shortly. My wife won't even complain about this "outdoor garbage."

[trapperdirk]

Well it's good to see you have a story to tell instead of the local news . There are alot of people icefishing that never consider the consequences or that don't have a plan of attack when things go sour .

As far as floatation gear although I am partial to Arctic Armour there are plenty of others that produce survival suits and floatation suits and did long before AA was marketed . There are many options .

I wear a AA suit ,always have an axe,spikes and spud along ,lighter ,change of socks and mitts ,rope etc and even a first aide kit and compass . A cell phone I wouldn't even know how to start plus some areas I'm in there wouldn't even be reception .

Best thing I have going for me to save me is a PLAN and a steady mind that doesn't panic .

TD

[magicstix]

Since, I went for my swim several years ago. I wear a PFD and either have my ice picks in my pocket or around my neck. Sometimes I do have a rope in the shack but not always.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is a set of dry clothes in the vehicle.

On my swimming adventure I was lucky enough to have my gym bag in the truck with sweats in it, I stripped right in the parking lot and got those dry clothes.

Another thing maybe not so dumb, is a towel to dry off with.

And nemoski, yes it is scary, definitly gives a person a little more respect for the ice. In my situation the edges of the ice was grabbing kept breaking and then the first time I bellied up on the ice, it broke thru and was back in the water again, was finnally able to belly up onto the ice and stay there. I've never picked up my gear and left the ice as fast as I did that day, just literaly grabbed gear and threw it in my buckets and headed for the truck.

[bikeoutback]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is a set of dry clothes in the vehicle.

I have a full set of long johns, clothes, wool socks and a fleece under the back seat of my truck. It's all there not specifically for ice fishing but simply for hunting, camping, fishing, ice fishing.... anything outdoors and remote it never hurts to have a backup set of dry clothes available. I've never fallen through <knock on wood> but I've been rained on and I always drive home dry.

[nemoski]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I will definately be buying some ice picks and a rope long enough to throw to someone in need. Also, some Arctic Armor or similar outerwear will be purchased in the near future.

[DoubleLunger]

A designated driver.