08 December 2023
The cold weather has developed ice cover of sufficient thickness on many inland water bodies of Estonia, and from December 9 it is allowed to go on the ice of those inland water bodies where the thickness of the ice cover is at least 10 cm. Thinner ice is not strong enough and may not support a person. The Rescue Board measures the ice thickness of the busiest inland waterways daily, the measurement results can be viewed in the continuously updated map application.
The ice map was created so that people can easily obtain information about ice conditions in Estonia’s internal waters. This is an information sheet! Everyone is responsible for their own safe behavior.
Mikko Virkala, expert from the preventive work department of the Rescue Board, emphasizes that when going out on the ice it is necessary to take safety equipment with you, even if the thickness of the ice is 10 cm, because the ice conditions can vary greatly inside a body of water. . “The faster the water flows, the more irregular the ice is,” adds Virkala.
When sinking into the ice you have to consider that the temperature of the water under the ice is only a few degrees above zero. An adult can survive in such cold water for up to 10 minutes, a child will lose consciousness even earlier in such cold water. It would be better if children went skating only on official and safe rinks and did not go alone on the ice of water bodies.
The Rescue Board urges all people to use caution and caution when near bodies of water. After a long wait, ice can spark excitement and curiosity, especially in children, so we ask parents to talk about the risks associated with fragile ice and to keep an eye on children. If you notice an emergency or need help, you should call the emergency number 112 as soon as possible.
While on the ice:
• Move on the ice in previously visited places.
• Avoid moving to dangerous places.
• Avoid moving on ice in the dark.
• If any signs of danger appear while on the ice – the ice breaks or sinks, you must immediately distribute your body weight and leave. To do this, immediately get on your knees and quickly return from where you came.
• Do not wear elastic bands! When you fall into the water, it is difficult to get out of the hole in the ice.
How to behave:
• Tell your loved ones about your ice trip!
• However, if there is no warning when the ice breaks and an accident occurs and the crates sink, the sinking in the water must be stopped. As you fall, spread your arms and lean back. This will help you avoid sinking completely underwater.
• The sooner one gets out of the ice hole, the better, because in cold water the person quickly becomes incapacitated.
• Ice spikes are a great help when climbing out of a hole in the ice. Go back to where you came from.
• Once on the ice, roll or crawl away from the hole in the ice. Later, you can get up to leave the ice for the road you have reached on dry land and in the warmest conditions possible.
2023-12-08 08:01:58
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