KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice! These are the rough thickness guidelines for new clear ice: ? 4″ of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot. ? 5″ is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs. ? 8″- 12″ for cars or small trucks. ? 12″-15″ for medium pickup. What if YOU fall in? Try not to panic. Instead, remain calm and turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice (here’s where ice picks would come in handy.) Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. Once you are laying on the ice, don’t stand. Instead, roll away from the hole. That spreads out your weight until you are on solid ice. This sounds much easier than it is to do in reality. 
The best advice is don’t put yourself into needless danger by venturing out too soon in the season. Be safe out there!
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