SHAWANO, WI – As ice anglers and winter recreationists begin stepping onto frozen lakes, DNR Warden Clark Delzer is reminding everyone of the critical steps to take if they fall through the ice, actions that can mean the difference between life and death.
Delzer says the first priority is to stay calm and get your hands onto the solid edge of the ice. From there, he advises pulling as much of your upper body onto the ice shelf as possible before kicking your legs to push yourself back onto the surface.
Once out, Delzer warns not to stand up right away. Instead, he says to roll away from the hole to spread your weight across the ice. He also stresses rolling toward the direction you came from, because that ice has already supported your weight.
“If you’re in a thin spot, there might be thin spots all around you,” Delzer said. “But you know that the ice you previously walked on can hold you. So roll towards that area.”
After reaching safer ice, Delzer urges anyone who has fallen through to seek help immediately and get to warmth to prevent hypothermia.
With ice conditions still variable across the region, Delzer encourages anglers to stay alert, carry safety gear, and never assume early-season ice is safe.
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