Warnings About Lake Skating

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30512, 6 August 1964, Page 9

Warnings About Lake Skating

Warnings against skating on “wild” lakes where rescue equipment and firstaid facilities were not provided were given by the president of the Lake Ida Winter Sports Association (Mr D. Cook) and the president of the Canterbury Ice Skating Association (Mr A. M. Grafton). They were commenting on an accident on Lake Lyndon on Saturday when seven persons fell into the lake when the ice gave way. Mr Cook said that at Lake Ida an experienced member of his association, Mr W. A. Weakley, went out each Friday evening during the skating season. He examined the ice very carefully for bubbles, “snow ice” (which might be unsafe though relatively thick), and thin ice generally, and marked unsafe areas with flags. Senior club members watched skaters all day to check that none were in trouble; rescue ladders and other equipment were readily available, and a mem-

ber of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was present to give first-aid. A special firstaid room was provided for anyone who fell in the water or had any other accident. Lake Lyndon Mr Cook thought people were most unwise to skate on lakes where no patrol was maintained. This applied in particular to Lake Lyndon, where there was no organised surveillance apart from that provided by the Canterbury Ice Skating Club near its lodge. Inexperienced skaters, Mr Cook added, often got into trouble after others had gone through the ice, because they

congregated round the hole and could fall in themselves. The Lake Ida club was not a profit-making organisation, Mr Cook added. Its charges

covered only the cost of a public liability insurance policy—which was ' considerable —and necessary maintenance, including provision for rescue and first-aid. Mr Grafton, who is secre-

tary of the Canterbury Ice Skating Club as well as president of the Canterbury association, confirmed that his club could patrol only the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Some parts,of the lake were distant from the lodge, and some actually out of sight round headlands. In places there was danger through the ice being thin where it was affected by warm springs. Skaters, especially if inexperienced, could easily run into danger unless they stayed where help could reach them. The overflow area was safe, but was almost dry. Mr Grafton said it was important for skaters to stay fairly well separated, especially if the ice was not very thick. The medical officer of health (Dr. L. F. Jepson) said it was a good rule when going ice-skating to take a change of clothing, particularly socks, shoes, and gloves. Anyone who fell into the water should put on dry clothes immediate and then exercise vigorously, keeping out of the wind.