If you fall through ice in winter

1. Don’t panic: Move as little as possible to conserve energy and keep yourself afloat.
2. Call for help: Yell for assistance or use a whistle to attract attention.
3. Use the “swim” technique: If you’re close to the edge, extend your arms and kick your legs like you’re swimming to push yourself back onto solid ice.
4. Roll away from the hole: If you can, roll away from the hole to distribute your weight evenly and reduce the risk of breaking more ice.
5. Get out of the water: Once you’ve rolled away from the hole, get onto solid ice by crawling or pulling yourself up onto the ice.
6. Get warm and dry as soon as possible: Hypothermia can set in quickly in cold water, so it’s important to get warm and dry as soon as possible.
7. Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel hurt, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a cold-water immersion.

It’s important to remember that the ice can be unpredictable and can break unexpectedly. Always be cautious when near bodies of water in the winter, and avoid going on the ice if possible.