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Ice fishing is a popular hobby for many people, but is it as safe as we think it is? If you are someone that loves to go fishing, you might find yourself with an interest in ice fishing.
As with any other type of fishing, there are safe and unsafe ways of doing things.
It is really important to follow safe practices to avoid getting into any trouble or ending up in a dangerous situation.
We are going to explain some of these practices in this article so that you can be prepared for any situation.
If you are thinking about going ice fishing, there are some things that you should know before you set out on your trip.
If you want to know more about the dangers of ice fishing and how to stay safe, just keep reading.
How Dangerous is Ice Fishing?
Ice fishing isn’t typically that dangerous of a hobby as long as you are taking all of the necessary precautions and make sure that you do not take any risks.
The majority of accidents that occur when people are ice fishing are due to the fact that the person is not prepared for the situation, they have taken unnecessary risks, or both of these things.
However, something that you should know is that ice fishing comes with many more risks than normal fishing, and it can easily become dangerous if you do not know what you are doing or if you do not take your safety seriously.
The best way to be prepared for any situation when you are ice fishing is to educate yourself on all things safety and be as prepared as you possibly can for an issue that may arise.
What Are the Most Common Dangers of Ice Fishing?
As with any activity, there are certain things that you will need to do to keep safe, and there are more common dangers that are associated with ice fishing that you should be aware of.
1. Falling Through Ice
Something that can occur that is more common is for ice fishers to fall through the ice.
Only 5% of people will fall through the ice while ice fishing, but this is something that is really dangerous and that should be taken very seriously.
If you fall through the ice, you can quickly become hypothermic which could become dangerous very quickly.
2. Burns
Something that is just as common as falling through the ice is getting burns, and these are often caused from the fire of the heaters that are typically placed in ice fishing huts.
Another issue that can occur due to these heaters is carbon monoxide poisoning, as they are used in a small and confined space, where a leak can have a devastating impact.
3. Frostbite
This injury is slightly less common, but frostbite is definitely still a cause for concern.
You are going to be out in freezing temperatures when you go ice fishing, and you will need to be prepared to withstand such an environment for a long period of time.
How Can I Stay Safe While Ice Fishing?
Thankfully, there are lots of different things that you can do to stay safe when you go ice fishing, and we are going to tell you about some of these things below.
1. Check the Color of the Ice
Most people will generally think to check the thickness of the ice, as it is common sense to do so before walking on it. However, the color of the ice can tell you more about the quality of it than you might think.
If the ice is clear and blue, then it will be the strongest type of ice that there is. This will be stable and withstand the pressure of your weight without breaking easily. This is the safest color of ice to walk on.
If the ice is white, it will not be quite as good as clear ice, but you shouldn’t have any trouble walking on it. However, you should be cautious and regularly check the thickness.
If the ice is gray or dirty white, then you should never walk on it.
2. Stay Hydrated
Something else that is really important is to stay hydrated. You might not think that you need to keep hydrated when you are in a cold area and not doing anything too exerting, but this is not the case.
When it gets cold, your body will need to use a lot of energy in order to maintain its temperature, so you will need to eat and drink regularly.
Cold, dry air can actually speed up the dehydration process, so you should avoid drinking alcohol and keep a bottle of water nearby.
3. Avoid Frostbite
Frostbite can easily occur due to exposure to the cold for a long period of time, so keep your fingers and toes protected and warm.
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