The established adverse weather conditions, rising air temperatures, and significant precipitation are causing intensive melting and destruction of ice cover, which can lead to fatalities on water bodies. It is essential to remember that ice is very treacherous at this time. Ice cracks under a person's weight, warning of danger, while melted ice has absorbed meltwater, turned white, become swollen, cracked all over, and is incapable of supporting a person's weight. Such ice can crumble underfoot at any moment, turning into an icy slush. During thaws, frost, and rain, ice is usually covered with water, which then freezes. This makes the ice white or opaque, and sometimes it takes on a yellowish hue. Such ice is fragile and its thickness should not be relied upon. If the air temperature remains above 0°C for more than three days, the strength of the ice decreases by 25%.
The ice-melting period is very dangerous and requires order, caution, and adherence to elementary rules of safe behaviour.
The greatest danger during the ice-melting period is to children. Left unsupervised by their parents, children go out onto the ice and try to break it with their feet. Such carelessness can sometimes end tragically.
Safety measures during the ice-melting period.
The ice-melting period is particularly dangerous for those living near a river, pond, or other water body. Accustomed to using ice crossings in winter, many forget the dangers that ice holds during the melting period. Crossing a river, pond, or lake on the ice during intensive melting is dangerous. Going out onto the ice is a great risk. The period of intensive melting requires order, caution, and adherence to safety rules for behaviour on ice. Remember! Playing on the ice during its melting period is life-threatening.
What to do if you fall through the ice?
The main thing is not to panic and to act quickly and decisively.
- Shed heavy items;
- Call for help;
- Try to get out in the direction from which you fell;
- With arms spread wide, without sudden movements, leaning on the ice edge, try to crawl onto the ice, then, placing one leg on the ice, roll to the side opposite the hole;
- Lying on your back or chest, crawl or roll away from the hole for 3-5 metres along your tracks;
- move to a safe place without resting, then run to the nearest dwelling.
If you witness an accident on a body of water:
* do not panic, do not run home, but loudly call for help;
* call 101, 112 to the Rescue Department (ROChS) and report the incident;
* approach the victim by crawling, if possible, place a board, a piece of plywood or a ski under yourself;
* do not crawl closer than 3-4 metres to the victim;
* hand them a stick, pole, rope, i.e. any improvised means to help them get out of the water;
* crawl away from the breakthrough point to a distance of 3-5 metres, then move to a safe place;
* take the victim to a warm room, provide first aid if possible.
During the period of intensive ice melt, it is dangerous:
· to go out onto bodies of water;
· to cross rivers;
· to approach ice jams, to push ice floes away from the banks;
· to walk on ice floes and ride on them.
BE ATTENTIVE AND CAREFUL! ICE DURING MELTING IS DEADLY DANGEROUS! EVERYONE MUST REMEMBER THE RESCUE SERVICE NUMBERS 101, 112!
Head of the Lepel
Rescue Station Mikhno I.A.