Jan 22, 2025
GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) -- The team at the Guilford Association of SCUBA Personnel has an urgent message out to the community: stay off the ice. “I’ve been in this water rescue thing for 38 years ... I do not recall, in all my experience this, many of them in one season,” GASP Board President David Albright said. The past few weeks have been deadly on frozen ponds since ice can be so unpredictable. A backyard or neighborhood pond can be tempting for anyone to walk or play on, but the fun can turn to fear in a second. The best advice is don’t go out there. But, if someone does fall through, grab a rope or something else to throw them. If there is a boat nearby row out, but the last thing you ever want to do is go in yourself and cause a more serious issue. To show us how dangerous ice can be, GASP Chief Michael Tasman walked out on the ice connected to a rope that was held by other rescuers on shore. During his first time out on the ice, the rope held pretty well, and it took a few jumps before a breakthrough. “This area here is probably about an inch and a half thick, but it was already cracking," Tasman said. The next time, he walked in a different direction, and it was a completely different result, which proves that ice is unpredictable. “When I was able to get myself out, there is still spiderweb cracks going even into the thicker ice. If somebody was to come out to get me, there is a good chance they are going to end up going through the ice,” Tasman said. Leave the ice rescues to the professionals. For 40 years, GASP has responded to water rescue calls across the Triad. “We want to send out our sympathies for the folks that lost family members recently in these ice breakthroughs,” Albright said. Each lake, river and pond is different and so is the ice on top. “Four inches is considered safe to walk on, but there are so many factors. Whether the water is spring fed or from runoff or if it has been freezing, thawing and refreezing, the best plan is to stay off of it,” Albright said. Do not play, walk, sled or do anything else on the ice. “Just because it has been really cold for a couple days doesn’t mean in another three to four days when it gets warmer out, the ice is not going to crack,” Tasman said. GASP is run by volunteers and funded through donations.
Respond, make new discussions, see other discussions and customize your news...

To add this website to your home screen:

1. Tap tutorialsPoint

2. Select 'Add to Home screen' or 'Install app'.

3. Follow the on-scrren instructions.

Feedback
FAQ
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service