"Reach, Throw & Go" ice rescue

DE PERE - Winter is here and many people may want to get out onto the ice but officials want you to think, safety first. 

FOX 11's Emily Deem spent Monday morning with a local ice rescue team to see how they prepare in case of an emergency.

The De Pere Fire Department's Ice Rescue team has a certain procedure they take in case someone falls through the ice.

"Reach, Throw & Go" is a safety procedure used by the rescue team.

Officials say resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole. This would most likely result in two victims in the water. Also, do not risk your life to attempt to save a pet or other animal.

PREACH: Shout to the victim to encourage them to fight to survive and reassure them that help is on the way.  Call 911 Give the location of the accident.

REACH: If you can safely reach the victim from shore, extend an object such as a rope, ladder, or jumper cables to the victim. If the person starts to pull you in, release your grip on the object and start over.

THROW: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim. Have them tie the rope around themselves before they are too weakened by the cold to grasp it.

GO: This is a professional trained responder action with proper equipment and back up. There is a reaction time to get this team into action, and that is why it is so important to call 911.

Officials say if the situation is too dangerous for you to perform the rescue, call 911 for help and keep reassuring the victim that help is on the way and urge them to fight to survive.

Heroics by well-meaning but untrained rescuers sometimes result in two deaths.

Click on the video to the left for more.