Sheriff: Survival Tips if You Fall Through Thin Ice

What would you do to survive a fall through the ice into frigid water? Keep your arms above water but do not wave them in a panic. Keep your clothes and boots on. Try to make it out by kicking hard in the water and pulling yourself up onto the ice. A recent ABC News report provides excellent information on this topic.

(Both links below are to the same report -- if one does not work for your computer, try the alternate or go to abcnews.com)

http://mediacenter.tveyes.com/downloadgateway.aspx?UserID=90112&MDID=1471644&MDSeed=2115&Type=Media

http://mediacenter.tveyes.com/downloadgateway.aspx?UserID=90112&MDID=1471639&MDSeed=7473&Type=Media

If you are venturing out on the ice, take precautions:

* If your child is on or near the ice -- you should be near your child.

* Wear a life jacket while you are on the ice.  Hennepin County Sheriff's Office deputies wear life jackets while they are on the ice -- whether they are walking, on a snowmobile, ATV, or other vehicle.

* If your dog walks onto thin ice, do not put your safety in jeapordy by chasing after it.

* Remember that NO ice is ever completely safe.