Parks Employees Trained to Perform Rescues on Thin Ice

Today, at Lasker Rink in Central Park, Parks & Recreation's Directors of the Parks Academy trained Urban Park Service and Maintenance and Operations staff how to conduct an ice rescue in case of an emergency. The first part of the class was strictly verbal instructions including how to check the ice thickness, assess dangers, and identify hypothermia, as well as how to make a set of ice rescue claws. Following the lecture, the class will go out onto the ice and practice ice rescue techniques such as self rescue, one and two person rescue, forming a human chain, and using the rescue ladders.

During the winter months, while ponds and lakes may appear frozen, venturing onto them is extremely dangerous and can cause potentially fatal accidents.

"New York City's parks are beautiful year-round, and we encourage everyone to enjoy winter activities, but our urgent message is: Stay off of the ice on our lakes and ponds," said Commissioner Benepe. "It has very suddenly become colder earlier than usual and park visitors must not venture onto a frozen water body unless they are explicitly notified by Parks & Recreation staff at a specifically designated area that it is safe for skating."

Determining the strength of ice is extremely difficult, especially for an untrained individual. Ice must be at least six inches thick before it can maintain the weight of a person, and to freeze to the right thickness, the temperature must be well below freezing for weeks. Moreover, ice strength is affected by the depth of the water, the size of the water body, the water's chemistry, the distribution of weight on the ice, and local climatic factors.

To remind people of the dangers of thin ice, Parks & Recreation posts warning signs along the perimeter of the City's lakes and ponds.

Special ladders are also installed around the edges for trained personnel to use in the event of an emergency.

Parks & Recreation offers the following Ice Safety Tips to ensure park patrons remain safe:
§ Never go on frozen waters (unless clearly marked otherwise with official signs).
§ Parents and caregivers should make sure children are never unattended near ice.
§ If you hear cracking, lie down immediately to try to distribute your weight.
§ If you witness someone falling through ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself.
§ Call 911 and notify the proper authorities.
§ Be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.

Ice skating rinks throughout the City offer a safe way to celebrate the cold weather. They include:

MANHATTAN: Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink in Central Park, Citi Pond in Bryant Park

BROOKLYN: Abe Stark Rink at Coney Island

QUEENS: The World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
STATEN ISLAND: The War Memorial Rink on Staten Island.

Should the ice become strong enough, Parks & Recreation will designate safe-skating areas in large spray shower basins and other shallow water spots throughout the five boroughs. Signs will be clearly posted to show that these areas are safe for winter sports. For locations and times of winter activities in New York City parks, visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.