Beware of ponds and freezing pools after a weekend of freezing temperatures
One thing about Texas —we are not familiar with snow and ice. So when North Texas gets any winter storms, there are bound to be some dangers.
The Fort Worth National Weather Service warned residents Monday, Jan. 26 to avoid walking on frozen ponds or pools. This past weekend of freezing temperatures makes it likely that small bodies of water may freeze over, but that doesn’t mean the ice is safe to walk on.
In fact, local first responders have already received calls.
A man from Colleyville was trying to help his wife who fell, and was found unresponsive by police in their backyard pond. And another woman from Lewisville needed rescue from a retention pond as she was trying to save her dog who fell in.
Low temperatures will remain freezing for the remainder of the week. So while residents know to avoid icy roads and highways, be sure to also watch out for frozen bodies of water.
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How to know if a frozen body of water is safe to walk on
The only time when black ice is ever considered good, is when it’s frozen atop a body of water.
According to Missouri-based Big River Ambulance, there are two different colors of ice– white or black. White ice over a body of water is always dangerous as it is fragile and not strong enough to hold the weight of a human or animal (or sometimes, something as small as a pine cone).
But black ice, which is often clear and not black, is safe to walk on because it is a thick layer of uniformly frozen ice with little weak points that cannot be easily broken.
In Texas, it is common to get black ice on roads and highways, but usually not cold enough for black ice to form on top of bodies of water. While ponds, lakes or pools in Texas will still be frozen, it’s with a thin, fragile layer of white ice.
Ice has to be at least four inches thick to hold a human’s weight. As this is unlikely to happen in Texas, it’s generally smart to avoid frozen bodies of water all together.
What to do if you fall through a frozen pond or pool
Those who chose to test the strength of a frozen pond may find themselves engulfed by freezing water.
The best thing to do is to call 911 as soon as possible. But if you’re by yourself, you must try to pull yourself up and get to warmth immediately.
- Don’t panic.
- Attempt to pull yourself up out of the water with a stronger patch of ice.
- Roll, don’t walk, across the ice back to land. Rolling helps distribute weight more evenly, creating fewer chances for the ice to crack again.
- Warm your body as soon as possible to avoid hypothermia.
Risks of falling into a freezing body of water
Those who fall into a frozen body of water can risk hypothermia or drowning.
According to the National Weather Service, there are three stages to cold water immersion:
- Hyperventilation or gasp reflex. The water is so cold, the body releases a reflex of hyperventilation. Hyperventilation can be dangerous as one can drown from water inhalation.
- Incapacitation. The body is incapable of moving or swimming because it’s trying to save energy.
- Hypothermia. The body temperature falls below normal of 95 degrees.
- Cold water collapses. Lose consciousness and then risk of drowning.
Symptoms and treatments for hypothermia
Hypothermia can happen when the body is losing heat faster than it can retain it. While it can be treated, it can result in death if left untreated.
Symptoms include:
- Shivering, though this may stop as body temperature drops
- Slurred speech or mumbling
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Weak pulse
- Clumsiness or lack of coordination
- Drowsiness or very low energy
- Confusion or memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
- In infants, bright red, cold skin
If one has hypothermia, remove them from the cold, out of wet clothes and wrap with blankets while you wait for medical professionals.