ICE RESCUE CERTIFICATION CLASS:

On left, Ice Rescue Instructor, Dan Delaet reviewing the practical portion of the test just before entering the water.

Dan Dalaet is a U.S. Coast Guardsman from Group Bayfield. He has served as La Pointe's Ice Rescue instructor for the last three years. Dan has done a great job and we are very pleased with the Coast Guards support in our Ice Rescue program.

More last minute instruction before entering the water. Several of the Squad members on the tug can be seen crouching down, this is done to release all of the air trapped in the suit. With air trapped in the suit it becomes over buoyant and forces you into a horizontal position which makes rescues very difficult. I find that once you enter the water, access air can be quickly purged at the collar. Ankle weights or swim fins can also help.

One of the requirements that has to be met is the ability to exit the water without help. Dan had each of the Squad members walk towards the open water until he or she busted through. Dan is the first in.

As many times as I have done this, it is a strange feeling when you bust off a chunk of ice and start plunging downward.

Dan Dalaet showing the Squad how you exit the water. Another example is to use spikes or awls.

Three members giving it a try.

Nice job!

More members working their way out.