In winter, falling through frozen lakes is a frequent and dangerous accident. People often enjoy playing and fishing on the ice, but it is crucial to take precautions to prevent accidents. By making the following preparations, we can avoid potential dangers and significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

When water freezes, it expands, causing the volume to increase by about 9%. This means that the frozen water is not as dense as the liquid state, resulting in dangerous gaps between the ice and water.

Therefore, when encountering a frozen lake, the first step is to check its safety by observing the thickness of the ice at the edge. If possible, you can use a measuring tool like a tape measure.

Generally, 12 cm of ice thickness is considered safe, even for activities like snowmobiling. For walking on ice, a thickness of 9-10 cm is considered safe, while anything less than 9 cm is not suitable for activities on the ice. Additionally, ice with spots may indicate special geothermal activity underwater, making it extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

One of the biggest challenges during ice-related emergencies is the lack of suitable tools. It's essential to carry rescue tools that can float with you whenever you go on the ice. In choosing these tools, ensure they can float to avoid them sinking to the lake's bottom during critical moments.

If the ice collapses while playing on it, it's crucial to leave the ice as quickly as possible. In the unfortunate event of falling into the water, use tools such as ice spikes to find solid ice on the surface and pull yourself out.

When on the ice surface, avoid immediately standing up as the ice near the collapse area is usually weaker. Instead, crawl and move away to increase the force area and prevent further ice surface collapse.

When leaving the ice, it's best to follow the path you walked on initially. This path is more likely to be solid and capable of supporting your weight, making it a safer route. Additionally, be cautious when there is snow on the ice, as the ice under the snow can be more dangerous since its specifics are hidden.

Rescuing someone on a frozen lake in winter is extremely perilous. When going to play on the ice, always prepare a long enough rope that can be used to provide help and buy rescue time in case of an accident. Statistics show that over 50% of winter drowning incidents occur due to non-professional rescue attempts.

Therefore, when an accident occurs, immediately call emergency services and wait for professional rescuers. You can assist with a simple rescue by providing sticks and ropes, but avoid rushing into the water yourself.

Hopefully, we will never have to use this self-help knowledge. But ice conditions are fragile and changeable, and risks are everywhere.

Please remember the truth of "safety first, prevention first", strengthen safety education, improve safety awareness, do not play on unfrozen ice, do not skate wild ice, in order to minimize the risk of drowning, so that the drowning accident is reduced to zero.