Safe Sailing
DISCLAIMER
A vast majority of the time one can participate in ice boating and enjoy a reasonable and acceptable safety margin.
But, occasionally we must be reminded that ice boats are still very fast and the ice is still very hard. While knowing the Right-of-way rules and using common sense works most of the time, accidents may still occur.
The 4LIYC can not guarantee your safety when sailing, whether you follow these guidelines and the Right-of- Way rules or not.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SELF!!
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club cannot guarantee your safety when on the ice. You are responsible for yourself.
Ice boating is a relatively safe sport when common sense is applied and the sailing and racing rules are followed. However, accidents can still occur and injury or death is possible. Following the safety advise given on this page CANNOT guarantee your safety in all instances.
Contents
Cold Water Survival
Watch Canadian hypothermia expert Professor Gordon Giesbrecht jump in to the cold water to show you how to survive a fall through the ice. Professor Giesbrecht's web page.
High and Dry Ice Boating
From the Blade Runner Newsletter Winter 2003
One of the most powerful forces of nature, ranking right up there with gravity, atom splitting, and the unknown powers that always make a buttered piece of bread fall buttered side down on a floor, is the force of attraction between an ice boat and open water.
Though I hesitate to use the term "global warming", it can not be argued that we are definitely experienced a warming trend the past several years.This in turn means that our sport has suffered in its search for sailable ice.
The 4LIYC always tries to pick out safe ice on which to conduct our racing activities, but lately it seems that in order to get any sailing in we must contend with thin ice and/or areas of open water on the lake.
This requires increased awareness on everyone’s part. Not only is sailing into open water dangerous, the publicity and the involvement of police or fire rescue units, (whether warranted or not), is not good for our sport.
The Blade Runner is taking this time to offer up a few (hopefully) helpful hints on how to stay high and dry while sailing your ice boat.
1. Gather Information
Find out before you set sail if the lake has any particularly dangerous or suspect areas to look out for. (Hint: they always do!!!) Ask other sailors, ask your Fleet Captain, ask an ice fisherman. Find out where the bad areas are and then stay away from them!
2. Respect the Lake
99.5% of the time you cannot (I repeat; cannot!!!) sail the entire lake, shore to shore in all directions. Open water, thin ice, expansion cracks, ice heaves, river and creek inlets and outlets or springs are all just waiting to inflict harm to you and your boat.
3. Pleasure Sailing is More Dangerous than Racing
I cannot recall the last time the club had to rescue someone from open water that they sailed into while competing in a club race. And yet there have been numerous times in the past few years that we had to pull sailors out of the drink who had been pleasure sailing on areas of the lake that they shouldn’t have been near. If you must go pleasure cruising at least tell someone where you plan on going so someone might know something when you turn up missing.
4. Use the Buddy System
It would be great if Buddy Melges could sit next to you, steering you clear of trouble, as you leisurely sailed around the lake. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. What we mean is don’t go sailing alone! I’m not talking about taking a passenger along for a ride, find a friend with another boat to go sailing with you. I know this has the potential of being two boats in the water but in practice it seldom works out that way.
5. Equip yourself for Survival
There are several things you can and should do in order to help yourself should trouble occur on the ice.
Carry a set of "Bear Claws"These are like ice picks that can aid you in climbing out of the water and onto the ice. A inflatable life jacket is a great idea. Some racers already have them, they are unobtrusive and at about $75.00 pretty cheap insurance. A cell phone and a length of rope in your boat may not be a bad idea. Of course you should always dress appropriately, have some sort of ice creepers or spikes for your boots, and use a decent helmet.
6.Stay with your Boat
In most cases your boat will not sink to the bottom when you sail into open water. You, on the other hand cannot (I repeat, CANNOT), stay afloat too long in icy water. The cold water drains your energy much faster than swimming does in the warm summertime. Your clothes, when wet, may seem like you’re carrying an anchor with you as you try to swim for it. Stay with your boat, it is the best chance for your survival. Yell like hell for help. [Carry a whistle, too!-Ed.]
There you have it, a few common sense things to consider when ice boating. Most of this advice is directed at the pleasure sailors out there, (and therefore will probably never see this article), but it’s pretty sound advice for all of us.
SAILING SMART AND SAFE
From the Blade Runner Newsletter, Fall 2000
1. Know the sailing and Right-of-Way rules. Pay your dues, join the club, get your copy of the By-Laws and Racing Rules. Study the racing rules until you really know them.
2. Never sail alone. Use the 'buddy system'. The lake is never one large sheet of ice that can be sailed on in all directions, shore to shore. The ice is never the same thickness all over. Six inches of good solid ice in one part of the lake does not mean that somewhere else on the lake there won't be thin unsafe ice, or even open water.
3. Early and late season ice requires extra caution. Early season ice is not fully formed on the entire lake. Springs, river inlets and outlets, and warm water outlets, like MG&E, can make for areas of thin ice where you least expect them. Pressure ridges can appear over night, often in areas that were sailable in previous days. Ducks can keep large areas of the lake open even after long periods of freezing temperatures.
4. Is racing safer than pleasure sailing? I've always thought that racing is safer than pleasure sailing because the club has looked over the sailing area and picked out the best ice on which to race. A smooth surface, thick enough ice, no large cracks, no open water, are just a few of the things that the club looks for before we set up the marks. We also have the clubs safety equipment, and the ATV emergency vehicle keeping track of the boats which are racing. Sure, the club will come to the aid of anyone who needs it, but on a lake the size of Mendota we may not even be aware of the need for assistance in areas far away from the race course.
5.Talk to others on the lake. Talk not only to fellow ice boaters, but to ice fishermen as well. Get as much information as you can on the condition of the lake. Even if you plan on racing with the club don't assume that you can sail straight out to the race course. The club tries to set up the course on the best possible ice, but on many occasions you may have to sail over some rough ice, or cross some larger cracks to got to ft. Find out where the problem areas are before setting out.
6. Dress for the occasion. You would not believe how many times over the years I've seen people, on the ice, not dressed warm enough. This is, after all, winter in Wisconsin. When you are cold, not only will you not enjoy the sport, the cold will affect your thought process. It's easier to make bad decisions. Bad decisions can lead to accidents. Dress warm! Get yourself a decent helmet. The 4LIYC requires a helmet for racing, but even if you are not racing a good helmet is a safety must. Notice how many of the serious racers use the full-face style helmets. Be sure to have ice creepers on your boots or some type of spiked shoe. It makes walking on the ice safer and they are necessary for starting your boat.
7. Carry a few safety items in your boat. Perhaps a small length of rope and some sort of small ice picks, often called 'bear claws', to help yourself climb out of open water. Some carry a distress flair. Maybe even a cell phone, especially if you are pleasure sailing.
8. Check and re-check your boat over during the course of the day. Make sure all your pins are in. Check to see if the bolts have the nuts on them. Check your safety pins and any safety wiring. I've seen many times where snowdrifts have knocked pins out during the course of the day. DNers, check your bob stay. Give your boat at least a quick going over before each race.
9. Establish a maintenance program for your boat. When back at the shop or garage between weekends, check all your equipment for wear and tear. Replace worn items as needed. Keep your runners sharp, dull runners on a windy day can definitely be a safety concern. Check your wood or fiberglass parts for stress cracks or other damage. Keep your sails in good condition.
10. ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE AND EXERCISE GOOD JUDGMENT. Whether racing or just pleasure sailing, sail smart and safe. Avoid collisions at all costs, even if you are being fouled by another yacht during the course of a race. That's what we have protest forms for. Don't sail beyond your experience and limitations. If it's blowing 35 mph, get off the lake. You can bet the 4LIYC won't be racing in those conditions.
Safety Products
Ice Safety Picks from Peterson Outdoor
Safety picks are available at most sporting goods stores like Farm & Fleet and Gander Mountain.
Quick and Dirty Rescue Claws from the IDNIYA Website
West Marine
One of our club members wears an unobtrusive manual inflatable lifejacket over his coat from West Marine. Also check out their safety whistles.
Links
Beware! The Hazards of Ice
Vital information about ice rescue.
Cold Water Safety
Geoff Sobering passes along a couple of good links to stories concerning water safety.
The Truth About Cold Water
Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning
Cold Water Bootcamp USA
Via SIBC member Jane Pegel: "Cold Water Boot Camp and Beyond Cold Water Boot Camp USA educate the general public and first responders with preventative measures and rescue and recover and re-warm techniques should you be a victim, or find yourself in a position to rescue a cold water immersed victim."
Lake Ice From a Recreational Perspective
Learn the right ways to check ice and learn the different types of ice. "The highest hope for this website is to help save a few lives. The following outlines four basic ways to minimize the chances of the worst happening."
Sailing Safe & Staying Warm-From Head to Toe
HEAD
Helmets, Face Masks, and Eye Protection
Helmets are mandatory. You will not be allowed to sail your ice boat without one. Jofa helmets are very popular with adult DN ice boaters and are a perfect fit for kids. We highly recommend the full face attachment.
Jofa Helmets
Canoe Imports
370 Dorset St.
South Burlington, VT 05403-6212
Phone: 1-802-651-8760
Fax: 1-802-651-8757
Contact: Bob Schumacher
Face masks, or bacalavas, and a good pair of 
tinted ski-type goggles will keep the face warm and the eyes protected from stray ice chips.
HANDS
Gloves 
and Chemical Hand Warmers
Years of experience has shown that mittens are warmer than gloves when it comes to ice boating. Use your gloves when setting up a boat. For sailing, heavy-duty mittens are the best. Ask around for mitten recommendations.
Chemical hand warming packets are handy on the ice inside your mittens when you are not actually sailing the boat.
BODY
Layering is Key
Even on the coldest of days, keeping yourself warm isn't impossible if you put some thought into layering.
First Layer: Close-fitting silk long underwear top & bottoms
Second Layer: Absorbent material like cotton
Third Layer: Wool or Polartec
Fourth Layer: Wind Resistant Jacket and Pants
Read more about layering for winter.
FEET
Traction and Warmth
For traction, ice cleats, also known as creepers, are mandatory. Please don't even try to sail an ice boat without cleats. Removable spikes can be purchased at a Farm and Fleet (look in the ice fishing section) at a reasonable cost. For around $50, Plow & Hearth carry a better engineered ice cleat called Stabilicers.
Big and heavy boots are can be a hindrance when sailing an ice boat. Lighter-weight but warm footwear is the way to go. Many skippers wear leather golf shoes with metal spikes (forget about plastic spikes). (World champion DN ice boaters wear track-type shoe for serious competition and put on overshoes while waiting to race.)
Via Oshkosh skipper & WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton: "I found sources for metal golf spike replacements, $0.25 each. The loggers on the West Coast use them in their boots. I ordered 20 of them for $7 from Hoffman Boots, Idaho, 208-784-8153. They are the same thread as the metal golf spikes, and they look like golf spikes except for the nice tapered point. Also, the backing plate is smaller in diameter. Spiked (caulked) boots are also available as are other styles of spikes. They are called caulks, pronounced "corks".
I thought other iceboaters may be interested."
Feet Warmers: Those small chemical packets, available just about everywhere, will keep your feet warm for hours.
SAFETY EXTRAS
We consider wearing a set of ice picks a necessity for added safety. Ice picks are worn around the neck and in the event of a fall through the ice can help to pull you out out onto the ice. The West Michigan Ice Yacht Club sells ice picks.
Inflatable life jackets and safety whistles available from West Marine add an extra degree of safety.