To extract a victim from a hole in ice, which sequence best reflects proper technique?

• A. Jump in and grab victim by clothing
• B. Attach rope or harness, maintain line tension, and pull the victim toward the safe area away from the hole
• C. Wait for rescue boat to come
• D. Push ice away with a paddle from a distance

Answer: (B)

In ice rescue, the safest and most controllable way to get a victim out is to establish a secure haul line and use it to pull them to safety away from the hole. Attaching rope or a harness to the victim creates a reliable, non-subjective connection you can work with without stepping onto unstable ice. Keeping the line taut (maintaining line tension) gives you steady control over speed and direction, helps prevent the line from going slack or snagging, and reduces the chance the victim drifts back toward the opening as the ice and water beneath can still be unstable. Guiding the victim toward a safe area away from the hole minimizes exposure to lingering danger at the edge and keeps both rescuer and victim on firmer ground as the rescue progresses. Jumping in to grab the victim is extremely risky because it puts you both in cold, unstable water and can cause entanglement or loss of grip. Waiting for a rescue boat is not practical here since ice conditions can deteriorate quickly, and pushing from a distance doesn’t establish a controlled path or secure connection to bring the person to safety. This approach emphasizes a controlled, line-based retrieval that prioritizes safety and effective transfer to solid ground.