Ice Safety

Ice Safety Advice

As temperatures in Scotland head in a downward trajectory, Water Safety Scotland (WSS) is issuing a warning about the dangers that frozen-over water bodies present.

WSS aims to prevent needless deaths and accidents, and also to alert the public that the majority of the ice-related incidents involve children or dog walkers.

If you do encounter someone who has fallen through ice:

1. Call the emergency services by dialling 999
2. Let the emergency services know where you are. Accurate information can save precious minutes. If you have a smart phone and have location services or map tool enabled, this can help. If not look around for any landmarks or signs – for example bridges will often have numbers on them which can identify their location
3. Do not attempt to go out on to the ice yourself
4. Tell the person to stay still to maintain heat and energy
5. Try finding something which will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole or branch
6. Throw the object out and, once ensuring you are stable on the bank either by lying down or having someone hold on to you, pull them in
7. If you cannot find something to reach with, try finding an object that will float and push that out to them
8. Ensure that you keep off the ice at all times during the rescue, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives
9. Once the person has been rescued, keep them warm and take them to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected