Do not try at home....3 times!

[Cavman]

http://m.wimp.com/how-to-rescue-your...a-frozen-lake/

[Chupaca]

Don't even have a place to try that.... pool water is about 40° but has steps... great video for those out on the ice...

[Bob Denman]

He never mentioned the possibility of hypothermic shock stopping your heart...
If you're on the ice, and don't have picks handy:

[cognaccruiser]

A little surprised by this because of the possibility that things could have gone wrong. When I lived in central Ontario and was very involved in our volunteer Fire Dept, ice water rescue was something we practiced a lot.
Even in a controlled situation we would have had a safety harness on the "victim" for when things go sideways. It wasn't necessary for him to have had on civilian clothing to get his points across and tips on getting out. Further, victims are never that calm and will fight and thrash around if being rescued. He could have suffered cardiac arrest or a cold shock reflex that shuts the airway and can result in dry drowning. Going under the ice is not something to mess with and finding someone is no joke.
Cavman, not being critical of posting the video. Just surprised at the people making it. Safety has to be their first priority.

Gary

[Bob Denman]

This demonstration video: while very useful; also downplayed the dangers involved in making it. Even WITH the emergency personnel present.
and that going under the ice is just about an automatic death-sentence.
(I've been around two of them...)

[ARtraveler]

Good warnings. Your situation may be different.

[Cavman]

Back at in the last century when I was on the largest cave rescue team in the country, we used to practice all kinds of things. My Father didn't understand why we had some many people show up for a rescue? I had to explain to him that in that environment, you 'burn' through a lot of people. It's not like walking through the woods carrying a stretcher. There crawling, dragging, pushing, lifting, etc in a cool and sometime wet environment. Hypothermia can set in rather quickly to the victim as well as the rescue personnel!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I had to explain to him that in that environment, you 'burn' through a lot of people.

Same thing with fire fighters. I don't remember exactly what the length of time is for a fully geared firefighter to be active but I think it's only like 10 or 15 minutes, followed by 20 or 30 minutes cool down and rest.