I'm the idiot that went through the ice at Mantua. I was pulling my sled out to go fishing and the ice was fine and then it wasn't. Nobody is sure how long it took to rescue me, but at least 20 minutes or a little over 30 minutes. Sorry, I forgot to check my watch. Mantua PD and a highway patrolman pulled me out, but the Chief ended up in the water, just wearing his duty uniform. After a night in the hospital and way too many tests, I'm home and fine. Lessons learned. Never go by yourself. I was lucky because another fisherman showed up 5 or 10 minutes after I fell in. He called 911. Don't wear a harness to pull your sled. At some point, my pullover sled sunk. I couldn't get out of the harness and the added weight dang near killed me. Don't panic. The one thing I did right was not panic. When I went in, I thought "shucks, this isn't good". If you panic and struggle you'll only use up your limited energy reserves. Finally, practice risk analysis. I've got $3000 in ice fishing gear lost in the lake. Guessing the hospital and rescue bill will be $10K or more. Just how much is a perch dinner worth? What's the price you put on your own life? Personally, my ice fishing days are done. When you go, please be prepared and careful.
https://www.abc4.com/news/utah-man-falls...ng-rescue/
Finally, the Mantua PD had a well earned bad reputation. Today, they've got a new Chief and new officers. The town can't afford rescue gear so I've started a GoFundMe to buy them equipment.
https://gf.me/u/zc26qw
https://www.abc4.com/news/utah-man-falls...ng-rescue/
Finally, the Mantua PD had a well earned bad reputation. Today, they've got a new Chief and new officers. The town can't afford rescue gear so I've started a GoFundMe to buy them equipment.
https://gf.me/u/zc26qw