First Ice Safety

[Garett Svir1582813971]

With first ice just around the corner, I've been thinking of ice safety. I think my days of disposable ice cleats are over. I've ordered a pair of Kahtoola Micro Spikes for this season. What other ice safety items do you guys plan to purchase this year?

[Tim Moore]

I'll be wearing the New Ice Armor Lift Suit this year. I'm really looking forward to that.

[Dylan8351]

Along with the essentials - cleats, picks, and life jacket, I buy new rope every year and usually carry a few extra lengths for guys that I fish with in case they don't have any. Also this year, like Tim, I have added the Clam Lift Suit to my arsenal as well as a new spud bar.

[Bigtom]

Yes, With the new safety products Clam has out this year I decided it was time to upgrade my safety gear. It's a no brainer!

You will not be disappointed with the Kahtoola Micro Spikes they are awesome. You can run around everyone on the lake to beat them to the fish. Really they are worth the money, I had mine for 4 seasons with no failures, except the kitchen floor

[Savage Brewer]

Ice safety is something I have always been concerned about. I have been rescued in open water as a child, still to this day I can remember the feeling and the image of being on the bottom and unable to swim.

Lucky for me a friend of my father saw me go under and I am still here.

So needless to say the thought of that happening in freezing temperatures scares the [PoorWordUsage] out of me,

So I don't have a flotation suit, but try to make sure I am as safe as I can be.

So I have a 50' throw rope, picks, and usually a couple Class IV throwable seat cushions.

I also usually walk with a ice chisel.

What are your guys thoughts on inflatable pfd's? They make sense in the summer, but will they work in freezing temperatures?

Or is just a normal pfd a better choice?

Thanks

[Matt Breuer]

Svir, you won't regret it. I will not fish early ice without them. Best cleats made, hands down...

I've got a Nebulus on the way. That's my huge safety item for the season! The standard stuff is always a staple, rope, picks, etc...

[Tim Moore]

Savage, there is a danger of inflatables not deploying in cold temps.

[Jim Kusuda]

Hey Matt, Good score! You won't regret having one. My understanding is that when you deploy a Nebulus on dry land, the CO2 cylinders start frosting up and after the initial surge of gas, it begins to slow the inflation process. When actually used in water, it will fill much more quickly because water transfers the cold (frosting) away from the cylinders. It is just like how quickly water will transfer heat away from your body than air of the same temperature.

[Jim Kusuda]

I used to have an inflatable life vest, but I could never figure out how to wear it over my ice fishing clothing. Thankfully I never had to try deploying it. I now have a Clam Life Vest and I bought it in the 2XL-4XL size even though I'm not a big guy. I just figure that if it's not comfortable, I won't want to use it.

[Savage Brewer]

Good to know there are issues with inflatables.

Thanks

[Jim Kusuda]

I don't know of any issues, I just had one that didn't fit because it was "U" shaped and didn't fit around a parka hood. I plan on getting a Lift suit, they seem to feel comfortable. One thing that I have found to be important is buoyancy of the legs and lower body. That is the part of you that is in the water and needs to get out for extraction.

[Rick Johnson]

I always wore an inflatable til I saw Genz inflate one while doing a seminar. After seeing how big it got with all the buoyancy right in front of you I think it would hinder a persons ability to pull yourself out if you ever do go in. I now use a regular life vest until I get my new lift suit that is. Oh- and kahtoola's are the best, very wise investment.

Stay Safe