Minimal ice thickness you'd demand for an all-nighter?

[CacheIceMan]

Ok, here's the deal! Me and couple of buddy's are taking our boys and doing an all-nighter next weekend on the ice to fish and hang out. (pending safe ice). If you consider a couple of cots, inter-locking foam flooring for insulation, natural friction with shifting gear, stepping, etc, and big buddy heater running off and on all night, what is the minimal ice thickness you feel would be safe that you would do that?
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[Old_Coot]

I would think that 5 inches would be a good "minimum" guide. However, an all nighter with heaters will make for a VERY slippery floor. You all may want to bring (or build) ice cleats for your boots.
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[Bovineowner]

Be dang careful with your heat too. Hate to see ya end up with CO2 poisoning. I always get the tent warm and then shut it down for the night if I am hitting the sleeping bag. Good luck and have fun. I'd say 6-8inches but I am a chicken about ice.[]
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[CacheIceMan]

Thanks man..I hear ya on the co2 poisoning. Plan on plenty of ventilation (sounds self-defeating of the purpose, but oh well)...Prob play heat on, heat off, heat on, heat off...through the night as needed. Thanks also Coot for your feedback!
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[perchpile2]

The problem with heat on, heat off, is after you get cold, and turn the heat on, you finally get warm and comfortable. That is when you doze off, and never wake up. Always leave the air flowing, or shut off the heat, until morning. Have fun, but be careful.
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[RonPaulFan]

Depends on who you're asking. An inch and a half should be fine, but then, I ski off cliffs. What could go wrong! I wouldn't expect to fall through while sleeping, but it would just become a good opportunity to test your skills at getting back onto the ice like this:

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2...-Water.gif
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[CacheIceMan]

I hear ya..no worries, planning on plenty of ventilation!...Never forget that sory last year about a father and son at the[] Gorge who never woke up!
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[klam]

It is the CO not the CO2 that kills the people.

Most home Carbon Monoxide detectors for home use have a battery back up. For added safety take one along with you no matter if you plan on plenty of ventilation or doing the on off heat method.
Children are more susceptible to CO poisoning.

Yes if you get too much CO2 and not enough O2 you can still die but your body will react the the CO2 by increasing your breathing rate. The CO slowly takes away your body's ability to take up oxygen until you die.
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[Gemcityslayer]

[quote CacheIceMan]Ok, here's the deal! Me and couple of buddy's are taking our boys and doing an all-nighter next weekend on the ice to fish and hang out. (pending safe ice). If you consider a couple of cots, inter-locking foam flooring for insulation, natural friction with shifting gear, stepping, etc, and big buddy heater running off and on all night, what is the minimal ice thickness you feel would be safe that you would do that?[/quote]

First of all... not all ice is created equal. 5" of clear ice can support a much heavier load than 5" of cloudy rotten ice.

I'd have no issues personally taking kids out for an overnight trip on 5" of good ice though. Check the ice often on your way out. Bring ice picks for everyone and life jackets too if it makes you feel better it can't hurt!!!
A long rope with a boat buoy attached to it can save someones life if they fall in.
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