Meadow Lake RCMP rescue stranded snowmobilers

Cindy Gottlob, president of the Northern Lights Snowmobile Association in Meadow Lake, said snowmobilers who plan on travelling across ice surfaces should keep an eye out for indicators to determine whether the ice surface can support the weight. Gottlob added one of the biggest things operators should keep in mind is to never travel alone.

“Usually if you have dark ice, it’s no good. Snow on top of dark ice and running water underneath is another sign it’s no good. Look for ice that has previously been driven on and look for wildlife tracks as they usually don’t fall through. They have a good instinct of if they can go [across] or not.”

She also recommended operators measure the thickness of the ice, stating that eight to 10 cm of ice can support the weight of a snowmobile. She advises people pack additional gear for further protection in case they get into a situation where they can’t immediately return to base.

“They should carry something to start a fire,” Gottlob said. “I mean, you can take branches off of a tree or whatever in the woods. They have foldable saws that you can use to cut a limb off and make bedding if you need to stay in the bush. Definitely bring a warming blanket, a flashlight, some food that won’t attract an animal and water for hydration.”

If someone does fall through the ice, Gottlob recommended the person rolls away from the water instead of trying to stand up as this method will spread the bodyweight across a bigger surface and provide a greater chance of escape.

“And always go from where you came. If you fall through the ice, don’t go forward where you were going, always go back to where you came from. The ice is thicker there,” she said.

More safety tips and snowmobile travel information can be found on the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association’s website.

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Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp

by Elliott Knopp

Meadow Lake RCMP rescue stranded snowmobilers

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