After several vehicles went through the ice on Sunday afternoon the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba is reminding people about ice safety.

Dr. Christopher Love, water smart coordinator for the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba says the province is seeing unprecedented water levels which is creating a variety of potential problems.

This year, the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba saw two trucks and one camper amongst those that have fallen through the ice.

There are no injuries to report but Dr. Love says, "we are having unpredictable ice conditions and you are going to need to be prepared to go through the ice each time you're on the ice."

Manitoba has thinner ice for many reasons. "The water wants to return to its normal level, there is a stronger current and it is eroding the ice. It looks fine on the surface but the ice is thinner.

"Because of the higher levels, some spaces below the ice have air pockets. As the water levels drop that means there's no water to support the ice and that means people are more likely to fall and collapse through," Dr. Love says.

Ice safety preparation

Dr. Love recommends that if anyone is going out on the ice they ensure that they have someone accompany them. He also says a floatation device is the most important safety item. "Have a snowmobile suit or life jacket over your parka," Dr. Love says.

The water smart expert says everyone should create a Personal Safety Kit. This kit should be in a waterproof bag and include an ice pick, pocket knife, pea-less plastic whistle attached to your jacket or wrist, and waterproof matches, or a lighter. 

"The kit should be on your jacket, not a backpack or vehicle because if that vehicle goes down you no longer have those safety supplies," Dr. Love says. 

"The biggest thing is that you have to be mindful of the ice, it has to be new clear hard ice not just welded ice that came together when it was cold; those are not as strong," Dr. Love says.

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