NORTHVILLE - Jump in.
The 33-degree water is fine if someone is geared up in a Mustang Ice Commander Ice Rescue Suit like the volunteer firefighters from more than 10 departments that practiced rescue operations on the little lake spillway in the village Saturday morning.
For six years the village fire department has hosted the ice rescue class. This year, fire departments from Fulton, Saratoga and Montgomery counties attended and firefighters practiced both as victims and rescuers.
"People panic when they're in the water," Northville Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Scott Downing said. "That's why we practice with real people instead of dummies. We tell them to fight a little bit."
Sleds, including an inflatable "banana boat," snowmobiles, and even a hovercraft were on hand for training.
Though it doesn't have a speedometer, Northville Volunteer Fire Department Captain Matt Ginter said he thinks the hovercraft, fueled by gasoline and propelled by air, travels at about 45 miles per hour.
A giant propeller in the back creates air that pushes into channels beneath the vehicle, causing its air bags to inflate and propelling it forward, making it glide over ice and snow.
Ginter said the fire department receives the majority of ice rescue-related calls for snowmobile accidents or after the bars close, not during the day during the various winter lake events.
"Most of the time when we take this out it's for people who [just left] the bars and go out on the lake," Ginter said.
In the case that someone does fall through the ice, which usually happens in late fall or early spring, the firefighters have about three or four Mustang suits, Downing said.
The suits insulate wearers with layers of polychloroprene, which makes the ice-cold waters feel like a warm bath. An inner buoyancy liner in the suit keeps rescuers afloat.
"The first thing we do if we see someone in the water is size up the scene," Downing said. "We figure out which equipment to use. That's why we have this drill that involves all of the equipment."
If a rescuer does have to get wet, he or she hooks a rope to a ring on the Mustang suit. While in the water, the rescuer situates himself or herself behind the person in need of rescue and ties the rope under the victim's arms and around the chest, allowing them to pull the victim up onto the floating sled.
"They essentially become a part of you so now you're one unit and you can get them to safety," Downing said.
The village fire department was able to purchase most of its equipment through a grant from the Sacandaga Lake Association, fundraisers and donations from the community.
The number of lake-related incidents the department receives varies year to year but averages out to about three or four a year.
Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Mraz instructed the class and earned a certification through the Lifesaving Resources Inc. in New Hampshire.
Mraz has instructed an ice rescue class for seven years.
"The biggest thing is safety and passing on knowledge to others."
The Middle Grove Volunteer Fire Department brought four first-time ice rescue class attendees this year.
"It was kind of scary at first," said Michael "Harry" Potter, a volunteer firefighter with Middle Grove. "Once you get in, then you just want to stay in."
Potter went in the water twice and said he hopes to participate in more training so he feels more comfortable in emergency situations.
"I don't think you're every really ready," he said. "There are so many different types of encounters."
Edward Waite, also a first-timer from Middle Grove agreed.
"The truth is, you do what you do because nobody else will do it," Waite said. "You might be nervous but if you're the only one, you've got to do it. We need to do more drills like this."
Amanda Whistle can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com
