The ice safety awareness program was designed with an emphasis on Ice Assessment and Being Safe while working or travelling on or around frozen bodies of water. The primary objective of the course is to provide participants with practical, observational skills that will allow them to determine the differences between safe versus non-safe ice coverings. Practical skills focus on using the emergency equipment that would be available to field team members and to teach basic techniques for partner rescue should the ice fail or prove to be unstable.

Participants receive a course workbook, field safety sheets and the use of suggested ice safety gear. Participants are expected to provide personal protective equipment suitable for the environment for the out-day portion of the program.

This program meets the recommendations of the NFPA at the “awareness” level as well as meeting the guidelines for “safe working procedures” as published by Alberta Workplace Health and Safety.

We recommend that participants repeat the course within 3 years.

Hours: 12

Course Topics

  • Day 1
    • Introduction to the ice environment
    • Policy review
    • Ice types
    • Safety equipment
    • Ice water immersion
    • Frostbite
    • Drowning and near drowning
    • Rope and rope care
    • Knots
    • Anchor systems
    • Mechanical advantage systems
  • Day 2
    • Review fiels safety guidelines
    • Assessing different ice sites
    • Field testing of ice thickness
    • Moving safely on ice
    • System set ups
    • Rescue simulation