 ice shelf safety graphic |
complied from several sources
On Wednesday of this week a person fell through the Lake Michigan ice shelf near South Haven, Michigan. They were able to pull themselves out of the water. Stories like this one do not usually end as well.
When the shore is frozen, it is nearly impossible to tell where land ends and the water begins. Wind and wave action create pockets within the ice shelf making it unstable. As seen in the graphic, shafts in the shelf can make it impossible to get out without help.
Emergency personnel are endangered as well when effecting a rescue. Although this example was not shelf ice, the drownings on Round Lake earlier this winter in Mason County demonstrate the problem. Emergency teams could not get to the scene for hours as they also kept breaking through the ice.
Do not let pets venture on the ice either. A dog was rescued this week from ice on the Detroit River. Animals do not have some sixth sense that will keep them safe. Dogs, deer, etc, routinely drown from breaking through ice.
As beautiful as the winter shoreline may be, stay off!
The Coast Guard says, "No ice is safe ice."
See news story about person falling through ice shelf at TV 13
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