MI’s SERT Centre Offers Ice Safety & Survival Training

The team at the Fisheries and Marine Institute's Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre are helping residents of the Northern Peninsula learn how to prevent falls through the ice and equipping with the skills necessary to survive if they do

The training began this week, with a focus on students in the St. Anthony area and will extend to include the general public at the St. Anthony Fire Hall later in the week.

“Ice Safety and Survival training is very important and we are pleased to be working with the students and general public in the St. Anthony area and beyond to offer this course,” said Brian O’Quinn, Program Coordinator at the Fisheries and Marine Institute’s Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre. “Many of us enjoy spending time outside on our lakes and ponds during the winter so ice safety and survival is something that we all should be more aware of.”

The goal of the training is to help participants determine whether or not conditions are safe and teach them the life-saving skills required should anything go wrong. As part of the training, participants are taught to keep the following in mind:

• Check the thickness of the ice surface
• Stay close to land
• Carry a tether or rope at all times
• Don’t panic
• Wear the appropriate clothing

“Knowing your surroundings and having the proper equipment can go a long way when it comes to preventing an ice tragedy,” said Mr. O'Quinn. “The student sessions are going very well and we’re looking forward to a great turn out for the upcoming public sessions.”