It is difficult to imagine a bigger "nuisance" in the winter than falling through the ice. Once in the hole, a person can die quickly enough if he is not helped. Unfortunately, it often happens that lone fishermen go under the ice, as well as bystanders. In such a situation, there may be no one around and in the struggle for life it will be possible to count only on oneself. Here are three important things to understand.
1. Preparation
When you go fishing in winter, you need to prepare thoroughly. Without fail, each icebreaker must have three things with him. The first is a rope in case someone else falls nearby and needs to be rescued. The second is a long stick, an ice pick, which is used for the same purpose. And the third obligatory thing (not only for fishermen, but also for everyone who, in principle, goes out on the ice in winter) is a "rescue guard", a special knife or awl in order to cling to the ice and not go downstream under it.
2. Calmness
In most cases, being in an extreme situation, people die for one of two reasons. The first is that the person succumbs to panic. Going to the ice, you need to be mentally prepared in advance for the fact that a failure can happen and you will have to fight for your life. Otherwise, it is better not to go out on the ice at all.
3. Survival technique
The second reason why people die in extreme situations is a lack of understanding about what needs to be done at all. In the case of ice, you will definitely not be able to slip at random. First of all, you should understand that at the moment of falling through, you need to try to spread your arms so as not to immediately go under the water and at least somehow catch on the edges. After the failure, you must immediately use the "rescue" and cling with all your might. If there is someone nearby, shout and call for help.
Clothes will get wet very quickly, and therefore every second is important. In no case should you try to get out on the ice, leaning on your hands. Most likely the edge will break again under your weight. It is best to try to make a sharp stroke towards the hole. If the hole is small and the stroke cannot be done, then you should throw one leg at a time and get out sideways.
Once on the ice, you cannot get up. You should roll while lying down as far from the hole as possible. If possible, you should try to get out of the water in the direction from which you came before. There, the ice is guaranteed to be thicker. After getting out of the water, you need to find a warm room as soon as possible, take off your clothes, warm up and take something hot (tea, broth), and also call an ambulance.
Continuing the topic, read about the huntsman method - how you can catch fish without special tackle.