by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 22/97) - Even Pukta the water safety bear was stepping cautiously on thin ice, as he heard it crackle under his waddling steps.

On Sunday, several members of the fire department, RCMP, and territorial Department of Transportation braved three-inch ice on Frame Lake to help others -- with a photo shoot for an ice safety poster.

"We shouldn't have been on the ice. It's not safe in the city, but once it is, we'll give measurements," said deputy fire chief Mike Lowing.

Lowing says no one should be on ice until it's at least six inches thick.

And if Yellowknifers see anyone on thin ice, they should call the fire department immediately.

The Frame Lake ice probably won't be "ready" until late November or early December.

Stephen Sherburne is the assistant program co-ordinator for safety and public affairs with the Department of Transportation.

His department can provide text and slides on what to watch for and how to avert dicey situations for a school safety program.

Some tips include self-help, carrying six-inch nails to be used as spikes to dig into the ice to pull oneself up from the frozen water, said Sherburne. "They cost 29 cents each at a hardware store."

Steadily kicking for propulsion, distributing weight by spreading the body and edging forward slowly, then once up, rolling away from the ice hole and squooshing out excess water, (which increases a person's weight), can also help someone help themselves, said Lowing.

They should crawl back to shore and follow the intact trail they took to get there, he added. "Don't stand up, because you can go through again." Rescue can be difficult since the rescuer is also in danger of breaking through.

"If self-rescue doesn't work, as a last resort, throw something at them," he said. "In Yellowknife, especially, get emergency help when possible. Outside the city, it's a different circumstance," so rescue techniques may vary. In cases outside the city, someone may have to reach the person, "but try not to jeopardize themselves," he said.

"If someone is walking on ice and hears cracks, they can lie down immediately, and roll away from the area quickly," said Lowing.

Lowing gives these tips if someone falls through ice:

• Keep a clear head
• Calm the person
• Call rescuers
• Guide rescuers in

In the NWT generally, three to five people are lost in ice-related drownings each year. Half the deaths are on frozen lakes and ponds.