While reading through news reports of the last few days, a couple of reports stand out for me. First, four people on snowmobiles went through the ice on Rangeley Lake on Monday, Dec. 31. One is confirmed dead. The other three are still missing and the Warden Service has again suspended the search for them due to the poor weather conditions on the lake. The other thing that really stands out is that today, Doug Rafferty, the spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife advised all of us that: "It really is the case there is no safe ice in Maine".

Looking at the calendar, it's hard for any of us to believe that there is no safe ice in Maine. It's January. It's been cold. How can there be no safe ice in Maine? It really hasn't been that cold. It takes days of cold for ice to form. It takes calm days with little wind. When the wind does kick up, it tends to disrupt the formation of ice. The wind can cause movement of the water which lends to the ice breaking up.

We all need to take some lessons from the loss of life at Rangeley Lake. The loss is difficult for friends and family. It's difficult for first responders and the Warden Service. I recall a Christmas day roughly 10 years ago when I responded to a call for a snowmobile through the ice of Patten Pond in Surry. It was a frigidly cold, windy day and it was getting late in the afternoon. I met with a wife, who feared her husband had gone through the ice of the pond which their home overlooked. He was a well-respected outdoorsman who had recently retired from a respected career as a school administrator. Shortly their daughter joined us. First responders from the local fire departments began arriving soon as well. We were in contact with the Warden Service who joined us as well. Standing on the shore of the pond, we could see where the snowmobile had gone through the ice. Given the ice and weather conditions at the time, we determined it would not be safe for any of us to attempt to do anything. It had been too long since the sled had gone into the pond. Ice had begun to form over the hole. When the first Warden arrived, he agreed with that assessment and concluded that we made a difficult decision but one that likely resulted in keeping first responders safe. It's an extremely difficult decision to make, particularly given that a grieving wife and daughter are standing along with you, hoping for the best. The lessons for us to learn are to take heed of the safety warnings being provided. It seems as though the warnings are given repeatedly, yet they are worth repeating. Check any ice for thickness prior to wandering out onto it. Dress warmly. Let family and friends know where you are going.

Enjoy the many outdoor recreational opportunities Maine has to offer. By making plans and taking into consideration some guidelines offered by the Warden Service those recreational opportunities can be safe and fun. Here are some suggestions from the Warden Service website:

Ice Safety:

General Ice Thickness Guidelines - For New, Clear Ice Only:

2" or less - STAY OFF
4" May allow Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" often allows for Snowmobile or ATV travel
8" - 12" of good ice with supports most Cars or small pickups
12" - 15" will likely hold a Medium sized truck.

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

What if someone else falls in?

If someone else falls through and you are the only one around to help? First, call 911 for help. There is a good chance someone near you may be carrying a cell phone.

Resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole. This would most likely result in two victims in the water. Also, do not risk your life to attempt to save a pet or other animal.

Preach, Reach, Throw, Row, Go

PREACH - Shout to the victim to encourage them to fight to survive and reassure them that help is on the way.

REACH - If you can safely reach the victim from shore, extend an object such as a rope, ladder, or jumper cables to the victim. If the person starts to pull you in, release your grip on the object and start over.

THROW - Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim. Have them tie the rope around themselves before they are too weakened by the cold to grasp it.

ROW - Find a light boat to push across the ice ahead of you. Push it to the edge of the hole, get into the boat and pull the victim in over the bow. It's not a bad idea to attach some rope to the boat, so others can help pull you and the victim to safety.

GO - A non-professional should not go out on the ice to perform a rescue unless all other basic rescue techniques have been ruled out.

If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform the rescue, call 911 for help, keep reassuring the victim that help is on the way, and urge them to fight to survive. Heroics by well-meaning but untrained rescuers sometimes result in two deaths.

New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly-formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially-thawed ice may not.

Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges, and culverts. In addition, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.

Booming and cracking ice isn't necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.

If your car or truck plunges through the ice, the best time to escape is before it sinks, not after. It will stay afloat a few seconds to several minutes depending on the air tightness of the vehicle.

While the car is still afloat, the best escape hatches are the side windows since the doors may be held shut by the water pressure. If the windows are blocked, try to push the windshield or rear window out with your feet or shoulder.

A vehicle with its engine in the front will sink at a steep angle and may land on its roof if the water is 15 feet or deeper. As the car starts its final plunge to the bottom, water rapidly displaces the remaining air. An air bubble can stay in a submerged vehicle, but it is unlikely that it would remain by the time the car hits the bottom.

When the car is completely filled, the doors may be a little easier to open unless they are blocked by mud and silt. Remember too, chances are that the car will be upside-down at this point! Add darkness and near freezing water, and your chances of escape have greatly diminished. This underscores the necessity of getting out of the car before it starts to sink!

The following guidelines can help you make wise choices:

Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop.

Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel or ice auger.

Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible.

If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry--keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple emergency plan of action you have discussed with your passengers.

Stay away from alcoholic beverages.

Even "just a couple of beers" are enough to cause a careless error in judgment that could cost you your life. And contrary to common belief, alcohol actually makes you colder rather than warming you up.

Don't "overdrive" your snowmobile's headlight.

At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice.

Wear a life vest under your winter gear.

Or wear one of the new flotation snowmobile suits. And it's a good idea to carry a pair of ice picks that may be home made or purchased from most well stocked sporting goods stores that cater to winter anglers. It's amazing how difficult it can be to pull yourself back onto the surface of unbroken but wet and slippery ice while wearing a snowmobile suit weighted down with 60 lbs of water. The ice picks really help pulling yourself back onto solid ice. CAUTION: Do NOT wear a flotation device when traveling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle!

Clothing for the Seasons:

Step 1 - The first layer should be a comfortably light fabric that will wick sweat away from your body. Avoid pure cotton, linen, or other similar materials, however, because these fabrics retain moisture and will chill you. When planning how to dress for cold weather, staying dry should be a top priority. Traditional thermal undergarments work well for the first layer. An alternative to traditional thermals is silk. Silk is very warm and feels wonderful against bare skin. Silk is not very rugged, though, and won't last as long as traditional thermal underwear.

Step 2 - The second layer should fit comfortably over the first layer. Wool is ideal for the second layer of a cold weather outfit. Wool is very warm, retains warmth even when damp, and is available in lighter weights suitable for your second layer. Wool pants and a thin wool sweater are perfect for protection against cold winter weather. If you are allergic to wool, or simply don't like wool, there are many insulating synthetic fabrics to choose from as alternatives. Try synthetic fleece or other insulating materials.

Step 3 - The third layer of winter clothing can be bulkier. A medium weight fleece button down shirt or jacket and another pair of wool pants will do. If you are concerned your legs will get too warm, and you don't mind casual dress, you can opt for pair of wind-proof nylon (or other material) pants instead of wool. No matter which fabric you choose, the third layer of clothing needs to be easy to remove in case you become overheated.

Step 4 - In extremely cold weather, the outer layer may actually be comprised of two layers—a heavier coat on top of a lighter coat, for instance. Coats with a hood are best because they add an extra layer of protection from the cold for your head and neck. Longer coats, such as parkas that cover the thighs, are better than waist-length coats. The outer layer also needs to include a head covering. The body loses a lot of heat from the head. It is important when dressing for cold weather that you wear a warm hat even if your coat is hooded. Hats that can be pulled down far enough to protect your ears are ideal.

Step 5 - Your ears, cheeks, nose, chin, fingers and toes are very susceptible to frost bite. Protect your face by wearing a warm scarf in addition to your hat and hooded coat. Protect hands with mittens or gloves. Mittens are warmer than gloves because the body heat generated in the hand is confined to the enclosed area. Unfortunately, mittens are not very practical. I recommend purchasing a good pair of insulated gloves and a pair of mittens (or gloves) large enough to fit over the insulated gloves.

Step 6 - Finally, warm socks and shoes are a vital part of a cold-weather wardrobe. Toes and fingers are exceptionally vulnerable to frostbite. When the body is cold, more blood is directed away from the extremities and towards the vital organs in order to keep the essential organs warm. This leaves feet, and especially toes, more susceptible to cold weather injury. The first sock layer should be lightweight and moisture wicking. Two pairs of socks are best. The outer sock can be heavier. Avoid cotton socks or socks of any other material that holds on to moisture. Winter shoes should never fit too tightly. When choosing winter shoes, be sure to pick a size that will allow room for air to circulate. This will help keep your feet drier and warmer. Shoes should be waterproof, have excellent traction, and have a warm, soft, lining.

Enjoy the winter season! Use this information to keep yourself, your family and friends safe while doing so.

Chris Farley is Camden's fire chief.