What best defines an entrapment rescue on ice?

• A. Rescue of a person who breaks through ice and is trapped under or within the ice; requires rapid line deployment and extraction with careful management of hazards.
• B. A rescue where the victim remains on top of the ice and is towed by rope.
• C. Only monitoring from shore with no direct access.
• D. Not performing any line deployment.

Answer: (C)

Entrapment rescues on ice mean the person is under or within the ice and cannot free themselves. The defining approach is to get to the victim quickly with a rescue line and perform a controlled extraction, all while keeping hazards like thin ice, shifting water, and hypothermia in check. Sitting back to monitor from shore or trying only to drag someone on the surface doesn’t remove the person from the danger and wastes precious time. Passive actions or avoiding line deployment fail to address the entrapment and can put rescuers at risk as well.

So the best method is to actively reach the victim with proper equipment, deploy a line for ongoing contact and retrieval, and execute a safe transfer to safety, maintaining control of hazards throughout the operation.