What personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for an ice rescue technician?

• A. Drysuit with boots, PFD or flotation device, helmet, gloves, eye protection, and thermal insulation as needed.
• B. Bicycling helmet, shorts, sunglasses.
• C. Just a life jacket.
• D. No PPE required.

Answer: (C)

In ice rescue, your PPE must cover cold-water immersion, buoyancy, and protection from ice, debris, and tools. The essential ensemble includes a drysuit with integrated boots to stay dry and insulated, a personal flotation device to ensure buoyancy and keep your airway above water even if you fatigue, a helmet to shield the head from ice chunks and equipment impacts, gloves to protect hands from cold and to maintain grip, eye protection to guard against ice chips and spray, and thermal insulation layers as conditions require. This combination addresses staying warm and dry, remaining buoyant, and reducing injury risk in a harsh, dynamic environment. Relying on just a life jacket leaves major gaps in protection and survivability, while items like a bicycle helmet, shorts, or sunglasses don’t provide the necessary cold-water safety or impact protection for ice rescue work.