Thats why I don't play on ice. Scares the heck out of me. Don't get me wrong I have been skating on ponds etc most of my life. I am just very picky about the times I go out on the ice. Town Parks and Recs always regulated when we could skate.

I posted something relevant in another thread- but its certainly useful here. theres a new jacket/pants combo called ARTIC ARMOr that is fully flotational, and hydrophobic(!) meaning that it floats like a cork, and actually repels water. I've had mine on a coupla times now and its unbelievably warm with full freedom of movement too (WAY better than the old arhartt suit I was using). It wasn't exactly cheap (about $340 for parka and bib pants) but it'll serve double duty on the boat this spring and fall as well. lets hope none of us has to give it a 'true test'.......see my other thread for more info and links/video description

Norm

Keep your arms up on the ice and hope your jacket freezes to the ice (if it's cold enough out), in hopes that when help finally arrives, you are not on the bottom.

I have a dumb question, but feel it's worth asking if it could save someone. I know our VHF radio's are illegal to use on land, but on larger bodies of inland water are they still illegal? CT River coves? That leads me to the second part of my question. Would it be worth carrying our waterproof hand held VHF's to ONLY be used in an emergency rather than letting them sit on our boats all winter? I know a cell phone would get better reception, but most don't do well once they're wet. I guess the second part of the question would be is there anyone even monitoring them far enough inland during the winter months to make it useful? Probably a stupid question, but I thought I would ask it anyway...