'Ice can be very deceiving,' warns expert after recent tragedies

There are renewed warnings about thedangers of venturing onto thin ice or near bodies of waterafter several recent incidents where people have drowned in lakes and rivers across Canada.

Four teenagers fell intothe Rideau River in south Ottawa on Wednesdaynight. They'd reportedly been skating and fell through the ice.

Two teens got out of the water and were taken to hospital to be treated for mild hypothermia, while divers recovered thebodies of Ahmed Ahmedand Riley Cotter.

The tragedy follows the deaths of afamily in Alberta reported missing Christmas Day after going off-roading in Lac Ste. Anne County and the death of a man who fell through the ice on the Bow River west of Calgary the same day.

The search continuesforthe body of a four-year-old girl who fell into the Mistassibi River in Quebec while sledding with her mother last Friday.

"Ice can be very deceivingPeople are looking at the ice thinking that it's solid when it's not," said Stephanie Bakalar, corporate communications manager with the Lifesaving Society.

She said about a thirdof all drownings in Canada happen between October and May because of thin ice andfrigid water.

WATCH | Some of her safety advice:

Expert shares tips for staying safe on the ice

10 months ago

Duration 2:26

Stephanie Bakalar of the Lifesaving Society discusses the dangers of navigating ice and tips on staying safe.

Bakalarsaid temperature fluctuations, such aswhat Ottawa has experienced over the past month, can be especially dangerous.

"Maybe to your eye it looks like it's frozen, but underneathit's likely not. As temperatures go up and down, it'll sort of freeze a little, melt a little, refreeze a little; this results in what we call 'dirty ice' and this is very unsafe,"Bakalar said.

She said people should measure the ice's thickness using an auger, a device that allows you to drill down and take a sample core of the ice.

The ice needs to be at least 10 centimetres thick to carry the weight of a single person, she said, and thickerif there are more people.

If you take a car onto the ice,the ice should beat least 20 to 30 centimetres thick.

Unofficial skating rink

The area where the Ottawa teens fell inis near locks on the Rideau River and is a popular skating spot, according to the local councillor.

"Typically, it's used by many residents. We can't always say it's safe, because we don't know," said Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown.

Brown said, unlike the Rideau Canal, ice on the river isn't monitored or maintained.

On Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)also released an advisory with ice safety reminders, encouraging people to pay attention to the look, colour and thickness of the ice before venturing onto it.

They also warned that snow, while often inviting, can make the situation even more precarious.

"Unfortunately, it also covers up the ice, so it makes it harder to look and see what is under it," said Const. Michael Mahonwith the Upper Ottawa Valley detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

All in a Day10:08How to steer clear of thin ice this winter

The chief of Ottawa Fire Services and a constable with the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP tell us how to avoid dangerous ice on natural waterways.

Never go in after a person

Bakalarrecommends that ifsomeone does fall in, they can either try toshimmy their way back onto the ice on their stomach or get into huddle position:lying on their back with their arms wrapped around their knees, keeping their head above the water while calling for help.

Most importantly, if someone falls through the waterdon't go after them because you could become another victim, she added.

Instead, try throwing them something that floatsor something they can grab onto to help pull them out.