Hamburg, January 15 – The Hamburg Fire Department carried out an ice rescue exercise on the frozen Öjendorfer See yesterday. The drill aimed to prepare firefighters for real-life scenarios involving individuals falling through ice, despite warnings against venturing onto frozen surfaces.
Firefighter Plays Role of Victim in Realistic Drill
Firefighter Jannis Greve volunteered to play the role of a person who had broken through the ice. Initially, the ice layer proved thicker than anticipated, resisting Greve’s attempts to break it by jumping. Firefighters then had to manually create a hole in the approximately eight-centimeter-thick ice for the simulation to proceed. Greve, wearing a dry suit, then entered the cold water.
Varied Rescue Techniques Tested
His colleagues practiced various rescue methods. In one scenario, two ladders were placed on the ice, along with a rescue board, to pull Greve to safety. In another, a firefighter crawled on all fours to reach him and pulled him out of the water without additional equipment. The exercise took place after a period of prolonged frost, with temperatures in Hamburg having risen above freezing since the beginning of the week.
Fire Department Issues Stern Warnings Against Entering Ice
Patrick Schrenk, spokesperson for the Hamburg Fire Department, strongly advised residents against entering frozen surfaces given the current temperatures. He emphasized that the Alster, a major body of water in Hamburg, is only safe to walk on when the ice layer reaches a thickness of 15 centimeters, at which point authorities officially clear it for public use.
Identifying and Avoiding Dangerous Ice Areas
Schrenk further cautioned that anyone venturing onto the ice before it is officially cleared should avoid dark spots, as these indicate thinner ice. Sounds, cracks, or water splashing onto the ice are critical warning signs. He also noted that ice near the shore is often more dangerous. In critical situations, individuals who find themselves on thin ice should distribute their body weight by lying down.
Limited Time for Self-Rescue After Falling Through Ice
For those who do break through the ice, there is only a very short window of time to pull themselves out after the initial shock. Muscle strength rapidly diminishes due to the cold, typically within about one minute. If the ice edges break during attempts to pull oneself out, individuals should try to break the ice with their elbows or fists and work their way towards the shore.
Greve, reflecting on the exercise, admitted,
