Remember, non-compliance with safety regulations on water bodies during the autumn-winter period often leads to fatalities and injuries.
Remember, non-compliance with safety regulations on water bodies during the autumn-winter period often leads to fatalities and injuries. Autumn ice, from November to December, before the onset of stable frosts, is not strong. Bonded by evening or night cold, it can still withstand a small load, but during the day, rapidly warming up from meltwater seeping through it, it becomes porous and very weak, although it retains sufficient thickness.
Rules of conduct on ice:
- Do not go out on thin, unstrengthened ice.
- Do not gather in groups on individual sections of ice.
- Do not approach ice holes, cracks, or openings in the ice.
- Do not slide down steep banks on sledges or skis onto thin ice.
- Do not cross water bodies on ice in prohibited areas.
- Do not go out on the ice in the dark or in poor visibility.
- Do not drive onto the ice on motorcycles or cars.
Ice is considered safe for humans if it is at least 10 cm thick in fresh water and 15 cm in salt water.
At river mouths and channels, ice strength is weakened.
Ice is not strong in areas of fast currents, springs, and drainage waters, as well as
in areas where aquatic vegetation grows, near trees, bushes, and reeds.
If the air temperature above 0 degrees Celsius persists for more than three days, the ice strength decreases by 25%. Ice strength can be determined visually: blue ice is strong, white ice has half the strength, and milky white or yellowish ice is unreliable.