During ice rescue training at Station St. Ignace, Coast Guard Petty Officer Matt Reisinger tries to capture a rescue rope tossed to him by Seaman Michael Moore. The training took place in Moran Bay.

Station members invited the dive teams from Cheboygan County and the Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post to join them, first with classroom training and then for on-the-ice training. This allowed them to experience the difficulties of maneuvering on the ice while making the rescue.

Time affects the success of an ice rescue, explained Petty Officer Jim Renkes. Once someone falls through the ice into cold water, which is anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, survival time is between 15 and 45 minutes. That doesn’t leave much time to be notified, get gear and personnel on the scene, assess the area, and then make the rescue, he said. Slightly warmer water adds a few minutes, but not much more. Between 32.5 degrees and 40 degrees, expected survival time is 30 to 90 minutes, with 15 minutes or less before exhaustion or loss of consciousness.

The primary concern for an ice rescue is the safety of the rescue team. The goal is to rescue the victim and not risk additional lives, said Petty Officer Renkes. An operational plan is developed, as well as a backup plan in case the ice or weather conditions change.

During classroom instruction, team members learn about the different types of ice and how each forms. They are told not to waste time assessing the ice during a rescue, but to assume the ice between them and the victim is not safe.

Risk assessment helps increase the safety of a rescue. Rescuers evaluate the scene, ice stability, the person’s responsiveness and how long he has been in the water, and available manpower and equipment.

The four rescue techniques used by the Coast Guard are self rescue, reach rescue, throw rescue, and the go method. The technique used depends on each situation. For example, Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Dan Dean said any time a person is in the water longer than five minutes, he usually will not be able to help with the rescue owing to loss of dexterity.

The self rescue technique is used when a rescuer can talk the person out of the water. If the victim is strong enough, he is instructed to use his elbows to pull himself out.

The reach rescue can be used when the victim is close to the rescuer. A ladder, tree limb, or any available object can be used to pull the person from the frigid water.

The throw method involves throwing a rope to the person and pulling him to safety.

The go method places rescuers at the greatest risk, since they are on the unsafe ice near the victim. In addition, a panicked victim can grab and pull a rescuer into the water with them.

In some cases, the Coast Guard helicopter is used, however, the nearest helicopter is kept at Traverse City, a 30-minute flight to St. Ignace.

Station St. Ignace operates with the S.A.N.E. theory of rescue. The letters represent: ‘S’ simple step-by-step, ‘A’ always have adequate backup, ‘N’ never take chances, and ‘E’ eliminate that “beat the ice” attitude, explained Senior Chief Will Johnson. “The safest rescue is one where everyone stays warm and dry,” he said.

The Coast Guard’s Ninth District has changed their ice safety slogan this year from “No ice is safe ice,” which was confusing because some thick ice is safe, said Petty Officer Renkes. The new slogan is “Ice — A clear, solid risk.”

The Ninth District covers the Great Lakes Region, which includes any state bordering a Great Lake.

For those considering going out on the ice, Petty Officer Renkes said, “Always check the weather and ice conditions before any trip out onto the ice. Always take appropriate precautions by wearing a life jacket, and telling family and friends where you are going and when you expect to be back. Never go out on the ice alone.”

Senior Chief Johnson said before the winter is over they anticipate training again and continuing the cooperation with other area rescue agencies.