Practice till you can’t get it wrong

Firefighters from around the region participated in an ice rescue class at the Graafschap Fire Department.

GFD members and their colleagues spent 4 hours last night in the classroom learning the details and statistics of ice and cold water rescue. Captain Tom Dykstra, from GFD, is a certified instructor with Dive Rescue International who designed and sanctions this class.

This morning, the students were geared up into Mustang suits and led out on the ice by Capt. Dykstra and another instructor-in-training. Using a pre-cut hole, members took turns being the “victim”.

This rescue must happen quickly, but safely. Every position on the ice and shore have specific tasks to perform. Hand signals are used due to distance from shore and to keep the noise level down.

We would like to remind everyone, stay off untested ice. The chart below shows safe levels. Also, do not venture out on moving water since this will be thinner than expected.