Emergency crews want residents to be water wise

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Kristy Wallace

EMC news - When Jim McLaughlin was a little boy, he went skating on the Rideau Canal when he wasn't supposed to and fell through the ice.

"I went through up to my waist," said McLaughlin, who's now a fisherman. "After three seconds, it's not fun. The cold hits you real quick."

McLaughlin was recently at The Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition's public awareness campaign to remind people to stay safe on the ice this winter, and prevent tragedies from happening.

The coalition is made up of Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service, along with representatives from the city and Ottawa Public Health.

As part of the campaign, the city's emergency service providers gathered at 1 Fleet St. along the Ottawa River to give demonstrations and conduct annual training for rescue calls on the ice.

Chris Wagg of the Lifesaving Society - which is also a member of the coalition - said the thaw is coming in about six weeks and it's important to remind residents of ice safety during the winter.

"There are a lot of different situations (people get themselves into). There are ice fisherman, and young kids fascinated with the water," said Wagg, adding that people who walk their dogs might find themselves trying to rescue their pets if they fall through the ice.

Brent MacIntyre of the Ottawa Police was also at the demonstrations, and said it's the job of police to recover bodies from icy waters.

He said on average, Ottawa has about five drowning cases a year.

Ottawa Fire Services responded to just under 50 rescue calls last year, he said.

"It's a sizable problem," MacIntyre said. "We get a lot of people getting stranded on the ice in some capacity, and we have to get them off."

McLaughlin said he's seen too many people ignore the rules of safety while on the ice, and tragedy can be prevented by carrying ropes and picks to help get out of the water.

He also said that fishing in groups can also prevent an accident from happening - and, that it's important to know first-hand the ice conditions.

MacIntyre also said that the coalition is asking people to be aware if they venture out on the ice, and to use certified trails when around water.

"River ice is inherently dangerous," he said. "There's swiftly-moving water. It may look solid, but it isn't. And it could have tragic consequences."