Please be aware that an Ice Alert has now been activated for the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The Reservoirs are starting to freeze over and are very unstable with areas of thick and thin ice.
NEVER VENTURE ONTO FROZEN RESERVOIRS, NO MATTER HOW SAFE IT LOOKS
If you do see someone in difficulty: –
1. Call for assistance and do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself!
2. Instruct the casualty to keep still to conserve heat and energy.
3. Try to find something that will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole, branch or item of clothing. Throw this or reach out to the casualty with it. Then, making sure you are stable on the bank, by lying down or getting someone to hold onto you, attempt to pull the person to the shore. It is advisable for staff who are working at such sites to carry with them (or in their vehicle) a throw line for this purpose.
4. If you cannot find something with which to perform a reach or throw rescue, try to find something that will float to throw or push out to them. This will help to keep the casualty afloat until assistance arrives.
5. Throughout your rescue KEEP OFF THE ICE, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives.
6. If the rescue is successful the casualty will need to be kept warm and treated for shock. All casualties should be taken to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected by their ordeal.