03-05-2004, 08:36 AM
[size 2]Here it Utah we dont often hear of the drownings that happen due to ice fishing.. But the truth is,, worldwide each year many drownings accure due to the fact the ice was thin or weak and one to many steps were taken, and/or, the weight of the machine, equipment, and person combine was simply to much for the ice to handle. But reguardless of the reason,, someone died enjoying a sport that should bring only frustration and/or plessure (depending on the day),, but not death..
Being the diehard Ice fisherman I am (and that often goes off by himself ice fishing for 1 - 3 days straight), I've often wonder what I'd do if by chance I fell through the ice and no one was around to help me.. Truthfully I'm not a young man anymore nor do I constantly put myself in a situation of possibility falling through by tossing caution to the wind, but, I will admit I (like many others) tempt fate from time to time.. That being the case it set my mind to thinking and I came up with a great way to exit the water without the help of another person. Then asked myself this question. Would I possibly risk looking foolish to others in order to save my own life.. Well to say the least the answer was (((YES)))!! Truely I'm not all that concerned what others think of me most of the time so why would it bother me to doing something that may seem foolish to others yet will save my life (or theirs) if or when that time came I (or they) fell through the ice..
What is it you ask,, well its really quite simple.. From now on (if I'm in an area I'm not sure the ice is absolutly safe) I'm dragging a small inflated automotive innertube behind me whether I'm on my ATC, a sled, or walking.. A 30 - 50 foot rope merely tied to the tube and attached to me with a simple slip loop around my arm,, (easy on,, easy off),, will do the trick,, and,, I know its there incase its called for.. Sure,, I may get few strange looks and I be ask jokingly what the tube is for from time to time as I wheeler passed the crowd. But hey,, its worth it to be able laugh the following day because I want to live to go ice fishing tomorrow, next week, and next year.. I figure even this old fat ice rat can drag the tube to myself then slip myself up on it so I'm laying face down.. Once back to the edge of the ice I could merely get ahold of the ice and roll or slid myself off the tube and onto the ice. Then being I'm already laying on the ice rather than standing there wouldnt be as much preasure on the ice so I should be able to continue to roll away from the hole.. Of course if someone was close by they could simply grab the tube and jerk me out of the water, but either way, I'm not going to drown! Whats more,, it will probably be hanging on the old "Coldfooter's Hilton" incase you fall through.. Whats more,, when my grand kids reach the age for ice fishing (possibly next year),, they be "tuggin' a tube" ,, smaller of course,, and whether they like it or not it will be there. To often I see the little one's not being paid close attention to while around water and I simply wont risk my grand kids lifes while on the water,, hard or otherwise. It may be only my oppinion but I feel they could slip through a 12" ice hole fairly easily,, and possibly a 10" hole.... So anyway,, dont laugh to loudly if you happen upon me while on the ice and I have a tube and rope nearby,, its for your sake as well as mine..
Coldfooter..
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Being the diehard Ice fisherman I am (and that often goes off by himself ice fishing for 1 - 3 days straight), I've often wonder what I'd do if by chance I fell through the ice and no one was around to help me.. Truthfully I'm not a young man anymore nor do I constantly put myself in a situation of possibility falling through by tossing caution to the wind, but, I will admit I (like many others) tempt fate from time to time.. That being the case it set my mind to thinking and I came up with a great way to exit the water without the help of another person. Then asked myself this question. Would I possibly risk looking foolish to others in order to save my own life.. Well to say the least the answer was (((YES)))!! Truely I'm not all that concerned what others think of me most of the time so why would it bother me to doing something that may seem foolish to others yet will save my life (or theirs) if or when that time came I (or they) fell through the ice..
What is it you ask,, well its really quite simple.. From now on (if I'm in an area I'm not sure the ice is absolutly safe) I'm dragging a small inflated automotive innertube behind me whether I'm on my ATC, a sled, or walking.. A 30 - 50 foot rope merely tied to the tube and attached to me with a simple slip loop around my arm,, (easy on,, easy off),, will do the trick,, and,, I know its there incase its called for.. Sure,, I may get few strange looks and I be ask jokingly what the tube is for from time to time as I wheeler passed the crowd. But hey,, its worth it to be able laugh the following day because I want to live to go ice fishing tomorrow, next week, and next year.. I figure even this old fat ice rat can drag the tube to myself then slip myself up on it so I'm laying face down.. Once back to the edge of the ice I could merely get ahold of the ice and roll or slid myself off the tube and onto the ice. Then being I'm already laying on the ice rather than standing there wouldnt be as much preasure on the ice so I should be able to continue to roll away from the hole.. Of course if someone was close by they could simply grab the tube and jerk me out of the water, but either way, I'm not going to drown! Whats more,, it will probably be hanging on the old "Coldfooter's Hilton" incase you fall through.. Whats more,, when my grand kids reach the age for ice fishing (possibly next year),, they be "tuggin' a tube" ,, smaller of course,, and whether they like it or not it will be there. To often I see the little one's not being paid close attention to while around water and I simply wont risk my grand kids lifes while on the water,, hard or otherwise. It may be only my oppinion but I feel they could slip through a 12" ice hole fairly easily,, and possibly a 10" hole.... So anyway,, dont laugh to loudly if you happen upon me while on the ice and I have a tube and rope nearby,, its for your sake as well as mine..
Coldfooter..
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] Thanks for sharing, great post..