Following the deaths of three boys in Solihull who were playing on an icy lake in Solihull, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue has offered life-saving advice to local people who may find themselves in similar situations. 

The emergency service has urged people to never venture onto frozen water because even if it appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly and not to wander too near the edge as icy or wet conditions could cause you to slip and fall in.

Parents have been asked to make sure their children know the dangers and to set a good example themselves. 

Dog owners should be particularly careful around frozen water and keep their pet on a lead, and don’t throw sticks or balls onto the ice. Should a dog go onto the ice and get into difficulty, people should never attempt to carry out their own rescue and should call 999 for help.

Over 50% of ice-related drownings involve the attempted rescue of a dog!

If you see someone fall through the ice:

  • Shout for assistance and call 999.
  • Stay off the ice.
  • Shout to the casualty to keep still.
  • Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, a tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else that extends your reach.
  • When reaching for the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice.
  • If you cannot reach them, slide something that floats like a rescue buoy across the ice for them to hold on to stay afloat.
  • If the casualty is out of reach, wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring them.

After the casualty has been rescued from the ice:

  • Make sure an ambulance is on its way.
  • Lay them flat, check their breathing and pulse and begin resuscitation if necessary.
  • Prevent them from getting colder by putting them in a sleeping bag or covering them (including their head) with blankets or spare clothing.
  • Get them under shelter out of the cold.
  • Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them.
  • Do not rub their skin, apply hot water or give them an alcoholic drink.
  • Keep them wrapped up so that they warm up gradually.

If you fall through the ice:

  • Keep calm and call for help.
  • If no help is available, spread your arms across the surface of the ice.
  • If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs and slide onto the ice.
  • Lie flat and try to pull yourself to the bank.
  • If the ice is very thin, break it in front of you and make your way to the shore.
  • If you cannot climb out, wait for help, keeping as still as possible.
  • Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together.
  • Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check-up.