Police have recently had reports of people on the ice at reservoirs in the Pentland Hills.
Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water.
It is impossible to know exactly how thick the ice cover is at all points on a reservoir.
As the weather conditions change and temperatures fluctuate this will also impact the ice cover. Going onto the ice or letting your dog on the ice is very dangerous.
In winter, children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them.
Taking a nice walk in cold weather with your family, friends or dogs in tow can be really refreshing, just make sure you know some simple tips on how to stay safe in winter.
Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water. Here are some useful tips to help you know what to do in an emergency.
Teach children not to go onto the ice under any circumstances.
Don’t go onto ice or into the water to rescue a dog, move to somewhere that the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you.
Keep dogs on their leads when near ice and don’t throw sticks or toys onto the ice.
Time your walks to make the most of the daylight; if you need to walk in the evening only use well-lit areas or take a route not alongside water.
When walking alongside water keep back from the edge.
Make sure you share these safety tips with your friends and family, and don’t forget check out what to do if you fall in, see someone fall in and what to do after the casualty has been rescued.
What to do if you fall through the ice:
Keep calm and shout for ‘help’
Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice
Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank-breaking the ice in front of you anyway
If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up
What to do if you see someone fall through the ice:
Shout for assistance and phone the emergency services – call 999 or 112
Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue
Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm
Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach
When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way
If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty
What to do after the casualty has been rescued from the ice:
Make sure the ambulance is on its way
Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary
Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc.
Get them out of the cold under cover or create some shelter around them
Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them
Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink
Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
