What's a good option for quickly testing ice strength while walking out? (Page 3): Sending out your mother in law seems the most reliable way to test the ice. Make sure she weighs more...

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

Sending out your mother in law seems the most reliable way to test the ice. Make sure she weighs more than you.
I used to make sure I wasn't the first one out there if there are a lot of pre-testers I consider it safe to try. Once you go under the ice a bad day turns into your last day.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

hemihappy wrote:

Sending out your mother in law seems the most reliable way to test the ice. Make sure she weighs more than you.
I used to make sure I wasn't the first one out there if there are a lot of pre-testers I consider it safe to try. Once you go under the ice a bad day turns into your last day.

PopoHead Loc: New Smyrna Beach

There are several great ideal here but if there is thick snow then it is a whole new situation.

D Ryb Loc: sharon CT

If possible watch as the ice freezes in spring fed ponds lakes the spring will freeze last and ice will be thinest learned that the hard way luckily i was close to shore

Iafierman

Crown Royal

Egghead

PopoHead wrote:

There are several great ideal here but if there is thick snow then it is a whole new situation.

Popo sounds like you've dealt with alit of snow on the ice before. Me too. Do not trust it. It weighs the ice down. Creates slush and a false floor. I fell through. I don't go out on that kind anymore. Gives a new meaning to blue 🔵🔵's 🥶

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

Hey Egg. I've been looking at those floating bibs you mentioned a while ago. Sportsmans has them for around $175. Do you think the bibs will float you, or do you need the Jacket to go with it? Another $175. I've never been close to going through, but I am an early ice chaser.

Egghead

fast_randy wrote:

Hey Egg. I've been looking at those floating bibs you mentioned a while ago. Sportsmans has them for around $175. Do you think the bibs will float you, or do you need the Jacket to go with it? Another $175. I've never been close to going through, but I am an early ice chaser.

I just ordered another pair of bibs. This time I got the Striker ice Bibs. That have zippers that go all the way up to the hip. Easier to put on with boots on. My others are Mustang Survival bibs. But the zipper stops below the boot top. And yes they will float you without a coat. But are expensive.

Look at the label on them, see if there coast guard approved PFD. I'm sure if sportsman is selling them as float gear, that they are. The ones I ordered day they will float you for up to two hrs.. I can't say for sure tho. I haven't had to try em out yet.lol.

The mustang stuff I have I know works. But there bulky and not real easy to move in. That's why I'm changing the bibs.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Best way to check the ice is to send the fat kid out first !

wainemaine Loc: western mountains, Maine

When a brook feeding the pond, or a waterfall freezes solid, the pond is safe.