Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 10/99) - It happens every year.

Someone is driving, walking or snowmobiling on the ice, and they suddenly hear and feel the world falling away beneath them.

The consequences of going through the ice range from a soaker to death.

In the West in the last three years, at least six vehicles -- Caterpillars and trucks, have gone through the ice while travelling on ice roads. Those are only the vehicles carrying 100 litres or more of hazardous material, such as fuel, which are required to be reported to the hazardous spills hotline.

Ice road truck drivers are trained to deal with the worst, noted RTL Robinson safety co-ordinator Mike Suchlandt.

"Nobody is put on the ice until they first go through a full winter road training package," said Suchlandt. Each takes a survival pack that includes two days of water and food, winter clothing and boots, and a flashlight.

Ice problems in the East are, to a large extent, limited by the way the ice melts, said Jim Cameron, manager of transport programs for the Keewatin region.

Cameron said surface water makes travel on the sea ice impossible as long it is thin enough to break. Also, because ice melts around the shore first, it becomes inaccessible.

Inland lakes, likewise, become less accessible because the snow melts and makes the tundra soggy and difficult to travel on. The biggest problem in spring occurs after the ice breaks up.

"Once it breaks up we have the problem of kids jumping on the floating pans," said Cameron. "We try to make people aware of that danger, but we lose a couple of kids every year because of that."

Cameron said the key to safety is to always travel with someone else and be prepared for the worst. Preparation includes carrying an extra set of clothes, a radio and a source of heat in a plastic bag.

When it comes to safety on the ice, there is no substitute for local knowledge and experience, said Meeka Mike an outfitter in Iqaluit.

"There are some hunters that will take risks because they are confident of certain areas," said Mike, speaking of the sea ice near the capitol. "Then there are people who have no experience on how to read ice conditions, who don't know this area."

Mike said the season for travelling on ice is shortening by a few weeks to a month each year.

She said there's no substitute for local knowledge of the effects of currents (which prevent ice from freezing thick) and an ability to "read" the ice.

"If you didn't grow up with it, you really can't (read the ice)," she said.

In spring, overflow can be as deadly as thin ice. Rick Lindsay, leader of search and rescue for the Inuvik region, said most of the spring rescue calls they get relate to snowmobiles stuck in the slush that forms when surface water mixes with snow.

"If you're way out of town and that happens, you're in trouble," said Lindsay. "You've got to get dried out fast, and find a way to get back."

Lindsay said the overflow, as deep as four feet, can be difficult to spot, as it can be covered with a layer of snow.