Whistler RCMP are urging outdoor enthusiasts to stay off icy lakes, or else risk falling in.
A group of at least seven people was spotted walking on the frozen surface of Joffre Lake near Whistler on Friday, Mounties said in a tweet.
“Please don’t do this. It hasn’t been cold enough and the ice hasn’t got thick enough, it’s not ready yet,” the tweet reads.
Ice must be at least 10 centimetres thick to walk on or used for ice fishing, according to AdventureSmart, a Canadian organization that works to educate people on outdoor safety.
ALSO READ: Woman and dogs fall through ice along Surrey’s Serpentine River
Five people drowned in B.C. while doing winter activities from 2007 to 2016, according to the latest statistics from the B.C. Coroners Service. The data did not specify details surrounding these deaths.
If you fall through the ice, here’s what to do:
- Do not panic. Your clothing will trap air and keep you buoyant.
- Turn towards the direction you came from and place your hands and arms flat on the unbroken surface.
- Kick your feet and try to push yourself up on top of the unbroken ice on your stomach, like a seal.
- Once you are lying on top of the ice, don’t stand up. Roll away from the break until you are on solid ice.
The recommended min depth for activities on new, clear, hard ice:
7 cm (3 in) or less STAY OFF
10cm (4 in)ice 🎣, walking, x-country skiing
12cm (5 in)one snowmobile/ATV
20-30cm (8-12 in) 1 🚗 /Sm truck
30-38cm (12-15 in)1 med truck (pickup or van)https://t.co/1M8Z8EMaa4 pic.twitter.com/U3V9nQtj89— BC AdventureSmart (@BCAdvSmart) November 11, 2019
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