Once on the ice, roll away from the weak or broken ice, do not attempt to stand up.

Whatever we do upon the ice requires us, as with most other pursuits, to use "good old common sense" and take safety precautions. When it comes, a snow cover can hide the actual ice conditions that lie beneath. In addition, as mentioned earlier, snow acts as a natural insulation which can drastically slow down the process of ice thickening. Unfortunately, this scenario is not only cause for alarm, but also for alertness and the use of extreme caution on the part of those who utilize the ice.

Ice-cold water and wind or bone-chilling air temperatures are unforgiving environmental elements to deal with. Any unsafe or irresponsible behavior can result in a very costly lesson for those who may unknowingly tread upon thin ice. Under sub-freezing temperatures, two or three inches of ice is considered minimal for widely spaced anglers and/or skaters. Ice that is three to four inches thick is usually sufficient to support small groups of people. Prolonged periods of freezing temperatures will produce good, solid, hard ice with sub-zero temperatures making up to an inch of ice per day. Exceptions to this would be climatic conditions, such as a warming trend, and when there is snow cover.

No person should ever assume that the thickness of the ice is the same throughout a lake, pond or river. Ice freezes first along the water’s edges. Consequently, ice will be thinner as you approach the center of the body of water. Generally, river ice is always weaker than lake or pond ice. The outside of river bends, the areas along cliffs and sunny hillsides, or the points jutting out into a river, are all potential locations for thin ice. The wise will approach these areas with extreme caution and avoid, at all costs, areas of ice that seem dark in color or that appear "crumbly" or "honeycombed".

Areas over reefs and around bridge abutments and in-between islands are also risky and should be avoided. A single, unbroken pressure crack in the ice is often described as, or considered to be probably safe to cross. But, ice-users should stay away from areas where other cracks meet or intersect. Ice users need to test the ice thickness often as they head out toward their destinations, both on the river and on lakes and ponds. Doubts regarding ice thickness can be satisfied by making test holes with either an ice-chisel, hand or power-auger. It is advisable to have a minimum of six to seven inches of solid ice before considering operating a snowmobile or ATV over the surface.

Unfortunately, there are still those people who think nothing of driving their car, truck or camper out onto the ice. In doing so, they endanger themselves, their passengers and others who are on the ice. Driving any conventional vehicle out onto the ice is a foolish and very risky business, mainly because of the far greater weight factors involved. Ever winter we read in the papers or hear on the news of a dozen or more vehicles going through the ice of New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds, some even resulting in deaths. A congregation of vehicles puts a hefty strain on even the most solid body of ice. Ask yourself this question. Is it really worth the danger of driving onto the ice when you could walk (pulling your gear on a sled or toboggan) or use some other means of transportation, such as a snowmobile or ATV? What is your life worth?

Encountering pressure ridges also presents a very real danger. It is here that many breakthroughs occur. The pressure ridges form when air is trapped between layers of water and ice. As the gravitational pull of the moon changes, it causes a shift which forms the dangerous weak spots in the ice. Although pressure ridges are sometimes visible from a moving vehicle, they most often are not, especially when the surface is snow-covered. A snowmobile has a better chance of escaping a sudden encounter with a pressure ridge than does someone who is driving a conventional vehicle or even an ATV. That is because the snowmobile is a lighter and
quicker machine with much better traction, easier maneuverability and more sensitivity. Its small size also means that it is spread out over less area than a conventional four-wheeled vehicle. Risk is also lessened because the operator is more likely to feel or sense the danger and therefore more likely to move quickly to avoid a catastrophe. However, even with these advantages, an unknowing or careless snowmobiler can get into serious trouble on the ice.

Before riding onto any frozen body of water, be alert about present ice conditions. If you have been drinking, do not venture out onto the ice, particularly at night. Just remember to use good common sense, to be responsible and to always practice safety on the ice and your ice experiences for the winter of 2007 and 2008 will be wonderful.