Breaking the ice - Dozens volunteer for ice rescue training

By Nate Traylor - Leader Staff

POLSON — Emergency fire and rescue personnel would rather folks avoid slushy, dangerous ice, but last Saturday was the exception. In fact, they were seeking it out.

And I was the victim.

The opportunity to don waterproof suits and rehearse rescue scenarios in the frigid waters of the Flathead came last weekend as volunteer firefighers from around the county met in Polson where the frozen lake was, in many ways, perfect for training.

“The ice is pretty realistic for rescue this year,” said Training Officer Chris McGuiness, who is also Lieutenant of the Polson Volunteer Fire Department.

The ice, which was formed under sporadic weather patterns — freezing, melting, and freezing again made the surface inconsistent. It’s called “bad ice” and because it was so unpredictable, it only made the training session all the more authentic.

Dozens of rescuers-in-training rotated between three stations on the ice where they were instructed in proper rescue techniques. Taking turns between playing the victim and the rescuer, trainees got a well-rounded understanding of the process and the precautions involved.

It’s a little disconcerting to to hear the ice snap and crack under your feet with each baby step. To add to an already hairy situation, I was instructed to keep going until I fell in.

Where I stood, the ice was crystal clear, and very thin and it was the only thing keeping me above the grayish green water of Flathead Lake. The spider web spreading under the weight of my body indicated that it wouldn’t be long before I was chest deep in hypothermia-inducing cold.

Fortunately, I was wearing a waterproof suit, which is surprisingly effective in keeping trainees warm and dry.

“These suits are amazingly warm,” said Karen Sargeant, public information officer for the Polson Volunteer Fire Department. “But you can only stay in that water so long.”

As instructed, I “burped” the suit, whereby I hooked my index finger into the collar and pulled on it to create a small hole so the suit can relieve itself of air. Immediately I felt the suit suction itself around me and my once buoyant body was sinking to the lake’s floor.

Propping myself on the shelf of the ice with my elbows, I took instructions from the ice rescue crew on the shore who directed me to squirm out of the hole. Though there is a rope within reach, I could not use it to pull myself out and though the suit is equipped with two small picks, those were off limits as well. I was playing the victim, after all, and the victim seldom ever has the convenience of such utilities.

Crew members wanted me to feel what it is like to be vulnerable to slippery surface of the lake. With some coaching and a whole lot of flailing, I hooked one leg out of the hole and used the edge of the ice to push my body out and slide across the ice on my stomach like an incompetent penguin.

A feat accomplished, but after catching my breath, I was told to get back in the hole so that crew members can practice a rescue technique called a “reach” which utilizes a rope and an inflatable fire hose. Back in the water, I waited for the hose to bloat and then gripped it under my left armpit. Rescuers then attempted to pull me out but there was no traction between my suit and the hose and it slides out from under me. I was allowed the rope which was much more efficient and in minutes, I was back on shore.

This was called a “reach” scenario and of the three scenarios performed, it might be the least effective, explained Pete Bishop, captain of the Polson Volunteer Fire Department. Because this tactic largely relies on the victim to pull himself out, it’s seldom used.

“Once they reach a certain stage of hypothermia, they’re unable to use their hands,” said McGuiness.

In most cases, the inflated hose is used simply as a device a victim can use to prop themselves upon, while rescuers secure a rope around the victim.

At the “go” station, a trainee jumps into the water with a victim in order to secure a rope around a person’s upper body, whereby crew members can pull the victim to safety. Meanwhile, there is one rescuer whose sole task is to maintain communication with the victim.

Trainees were instructed to approach the victim from behind so as to not break the shelf of the ice victims use to keep their head above water. Once the rope is secured, a rescuer using a hand signal (several taps on the head) to indicate that they are ready to be pulled out.

However, Saturday’s ice provided an additional hazard. Chunky and coarse, ice rescuers described it as a “cheese grater” and in a rescue situation, a victim can get cut when pulled across, hence the realism of the training session. However, those thick plastic suits kept everyone unscathed.

While the “go” and the “reach” scenarios were performed about 40 feet from the shore, it was the anchor station that put trainees in a more precarious situation. Members of the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department trekked 600 feet from the shoreline where the ice was so thick, a hole had to be made with a chain saw. Once a hole was made, those playing the victims plunged in and waited for rescue while trainees made a system of anchor points — essentially large screws used to tether ropes.

The anchors are hollow, that way when they’re screwed into the ice, it doesn’t create a wedge, which could be very problematic.

“You don’t want to create a bigger hole for yourself,” said Ronan Fire Chief Chris Adler.

The two anchors spread 300 feet apart were used in the operation.

And while some have been through this ice rescue training several times, you never get used to taking the plunge. It was Peggy Baird’s fourth year participating in the training and she still doesn’t know when to expect the ice to break from under her.

“You’re just never ready,” she said.

Fortunately, area rescue teams are ready in the event an unfortunate ice fisherman or an unoccupied child ends up taking an unintentional dip. The Polson Volunteer Fire Department has been putting on the training session since 2001, subsequently instructing many people in the process.

And while rescuers are trained to get a victim to safety as quickly as possible, safety is a top priority, explained Sargeant.

“The faster we can get them out, the better, but we have to do it safely. Those minutes count,” she said.