Understanding ice colour and the “1-10-1” rule to prevent drownings

By Canadian Press on December 26, 2025.

MONTREAL — Following the drowning of a man in his forties and a child in Saint-Zénon, the Quebec Lifesaving Society is reminding people of certain safety rules to follow when engaging in on-ice activities.

It was a bleak Christmas Day for the loved ones of the two victims, whose deaths were confirmed by the Quebec provincial police on Thursday. The previous day, the man, accompanied by the young child, was clearing snow with a tractor on a section of Lake Ernest when the ice gave way.

A coroner’s investigation was immediately launched to shed light on the circumstances that led to this tragedy and possibly make recommendations to prevent this scenario from happening again.

The Quebec Lifesaving Society, mandated to raise public awareness in order to prevent drownings, records an average of six to eight winter drownings per year. So far in 2025, six people have lost their lives in Quebec’s icy waters. In addition to the two deaths in Saint-Zénon, there were three drownings earlier this year and the death of a snowmobiler on December 15.

“Far be it from us to tell people they can’t engage in activities on the ice—quite the contrary. But you have to make sure you have the right information before venturing out there,” explains Raynald Hawkins, Executive Director of the Lifesaving Society.

He emphasizes that the colour and thickness of the ice are the most important safety indicators. As a general rule, if the ice is black and you can see the bottom of the lake, it is safe to walk on. Solid ice is the result of at least seven to ten consecutive days below -10 degrees Celsius, combined with cold nights.

“Just to walk on that ice, you need a minimum thickness of 10 centimetres,” says Hawkins, adding that this measurement varies depending on the type of activity, the number of people, and the weight on the ice.

For example, to support a snowmobile, the ice must be 12 to 15 centimetres thick, while to set up a fishing hut, it must be between 30 and 38 centimetres thick.

However, Hawkins advises against venturing onto grey ice. This type of ice is a mixture of frozen and liquid water, which makes it brittle.

The general manager warns when the ice surface is “whitish,” it is safe to walk on provided it is twice as thick as the recommended thickness for translucent ice.

Surviving a fall into freezing water

According to Hawkins, the first step is always to contact emergency services by dialing 911, when possible. “More and more, our firefighters are trained in ice rescue. They are equipped to rescue people as quickly as possible when they are in cold water,” he said.

It is possible to help someone who has just fallen in, but it is advisable to keep a safe distance to avoid breaking the ice under your feet. In such situations, people should spread their weight by lying down on the ice, then extend a long object, such as a hockey stick, for the person in distress to grab onto.

Hawkins emphasizes that for the person who falls into the water, they should keep the “1-10-1” rule in mind.

When you suddenly find yourself in freezing water, your body experiences thermal shock, which triggers hyperventilation. “You feel your respiratory system trying to work faster to activate circulation,” he says.

The first “1” stands for the amount of time a person has to calm their breathing before losing consciousness, which is one minute.

“The 10 represents 10 minutes of muscle strength ahead of you,” says Hawkins. This window of time is sufficient to get out of the water before losing all your energy.

“Ideally, I would tell you to turn toward where you came from, because there are a few inches or a few steps where the ice can support you,” advises Hawkins.

He suggests swimming while punching the ice with your fist until it no longer breaks. Once you reach this more solid surface, you can pull your arms up to your armpits, then kick your legs to lift your upper body out of the water while crawling.

“Once you’re completely out, don’t stand up,” warns Hawkins. To avoid breaking the ice again, he recommends crawling back the way you came, on all fours.

The last “1” in the rule indicates that a person can remain in cold water for one hour before dying of hypothermia.

Hawkins reminds residents who want to enjoy their frozen lake this winter to stay close to the shore, where the water freezes more easily.

Samira Ait Kaci Ali, The Canadian Press