Do your ice safety picks float?

[Jim Kusuda]

I was drying my Ice Armor Extreme suit after fishing in the wet snow yesterday when I decided to see if the ice safety picks that I carry in the cargo pocket with my bait pucks will float. I also re-tied the knots on the cord larger, so that they won't pull through the holes on the handles. I am usure of the strength of the cord, it is about 6 feet long.

[Jim Kusuda]

OK, now I got the pics to load.

[Tod Todd]

One of the best post I have seen in a long time thanks Jim will be heading to the barn to see if mine float.

[Alagnak]

You know what floats and is free? Two chunks of broom handle/wooden dowel. You drill two matching holes in each pc. In one of those holes you drive in a large nail, then you do it to the other pc. Cut the nail heads off and sharpen. Stick sharp nails in other two empty holes until it looks like one pc of broom handle again. Tie a to connect them. Throw them around your neck. They float, they're free. I know they don't say ice team on them so they aren't as cool but they will do the exact same thing.

[Jim Kusuda]

You know, I have read about making picks. I am asking if you actually have safety picks and do they float. Mine are not cool and do not say Ice Team.

[Charlie Mason]

I have a pair of the red ones, like it because they can go around your neck and are easy to find, but this is a great idea/topic Jim. I bet my old Rap/Normark ones float too, they must be ten to 13 yrs old. have to go test the theory out now

[amateurfishing]

my cheapos came with directions and a long string, they are retractable pics and come attached to 1 piece of string, directions say to pull pics apart then place one down each coat sleeve, works great for me, they stay hidden in coat sleeve by wrist but always easy to grab at moments notice & will never fall out/lose them

[bobbymalone]

has anybody actually pulled themselves out of icy water with these things?

I get the theory, but I'm not so sure about the practice. Beats nothing I suppose.

[aaron otto]

Would really like to see what it takes to pull yourself out of the ice using these.

First, is it possible without a float suit. Not to doubt the manliness of the audience, but assuming a guy gains 20 pounds plus with water he will have to sink both picks after being hit with the initial shock of freezing water. Prior to being able to pull himself out of the lake. How many pull-ups can you do today (not when you were in high school). ? May be a good test.

Second, does the float suit help in the case of having to sink the pics into the ice or does it hurt your chance of getting leverage due to being semi-buoyant.

Thirdly, are there any other suits (floatation) built better than others?

Finally does anyone use SPOT devices? Not sure on the response time, but maybe a thought. We used them when headed out deep in the back country fishing. Never had to use one (knock on wood), but sure gave me comfort knowing we had them.

Thanks in advance for this post and your responses. Lost my grandfather on Christmas through the ice many years ago. This the topic of preventing it is close to my heart.

[NoWiser]

I think most guys could pull themselves up with picks if they needed to. I did 3 times one night on Leech Lake without picks and with a sinking suit, although the third time I had to let my gloves freeze to the ice to do it. I think it was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I think it would be fairly easy with a floating suit and picks. Sure wished I had them when I was sinking. I also have a SPOT beacon but only use it for hunting and fishing lakers in Ontario.. I suppose if I had it when I went through it might have saved me the 2 mile walk to the nearest house. Maybe I'll start bringing it with more often.

You learn to respect the ice real quick after a close call. I never go without a flotation suit and picks no matter how thick the ice is now.

[pushbutton]

Great topic Jim! Like NoWiser, was lucky without and now always have them with. Like me, know that he went in well into the season when it should have been "safe." From your pic looks like mine do not float, will check them, and make or buy new ones if they don't

[aaron otto]

Wow great video. Thanks for sharing. So it's very possible to pull yourself out of a Farg'n Icehole once you have fallen in. Never going out without them again.

thanks -ao

[Lunker Luke]

That was nice video.

[Jim Kusuda]

"Carry a couple of long nails..." is the first part of the audio statement about safety equipment picks on the MN DNR video.

[pushbutton]

Lol....yeah, they probably will not float too well. Also, when you do the polar plunge you wont be thinking the clearest and good chance of dropping them. Video looks old school,.....probably before the advent of all the cheap and accessible stuff we have today. I know every one can't afford/won't prioritize a floating suit, but the 5 bucks for the picks is a no brainer.

[Pete Maina]

Great stuff here.Thanks Jim/all!