Class participants Vickie Hirschboeck and Joe Reid, Trempealeau NWR, practice an exit manuever from the ice at the training site. - FWS photo

Dave Wedan, LaCrosse FRO, steadies himself as he practices ice rescue techniques. - FWS photo

On February 23, refuge employees from Trempealeau, Upper Miss (La Crosse & Winona Districts), La Crosse Fisheries Resource Office, and USGS participated in a one-day ice rescue training event conducted by the La Crosse County Dive/Rescue Unit certified to teach the course developed by Dive Rescue International.  The training covered the elements of an ice rescue; ice safety and how ice forms; how cold affects a victim’s condition; manpower and equipment; and operational planning. 

Refuge employees and visitors alike participate in a variety of winter activities on and around ice every season on our refuges.  “Having knowledge of how to read ice conditions and being able to respond quickly should an incident occur makes good common sense,” says refuge manager, Vickie Hirschboeck. 

The final portion of the training day required participants to suit up in full body rescue suits plunge into the freezing cold water and use their newly acquired skills to properly exit the water.  One man and two man rescue techniques were practiced using the reach, throw and go methods.

Participants gained a lot of insight about ice rescue incidents and left with some skills that might save a life.