WATCH: Woman Rescued From Icy Waters In Harrison Township
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Macomb County Sheriff's body cam video shows the dramatic rescue of a woman who fell into an icy lake in Harrison Township.
It happened Monday when deputies say the woman slipped into the water while she was fishing off the dock in 36 degree weather.
The woman's friend heard her fall, but was unable to pull her up to the dock.
Two nearby fisherman heard the women's cries and came over to help.
The two fisherman attempted to pull the woman up onto the dock but struggled as her body had become completely numb.
By the time first responders arrived, she had been in the water for 15 minutes.
With the help of the first responders and the two fisherman, the woman was pulled back onto the dock.
Authorities say the woman is doing better but wants to remind people to always fish with a partner and make sure you have proper, non-slip, footwear when you walking on any slippery surface.
What to know if you fall into cold water:
- Don't panic. Try to get control of your breathing. Hold onto something or stay as still as possible until your breathing settles down. It may be a boat, a fixed object, or something floating. Focus on floating with your head above water until the cold shock response abates.
- If multiple people fall into cold water, huddling in a group lessens the loss of body heat and is good for morale. Also, rescuers can spot a group more easily than individuals.
- If you were not wearing a PFD when you entered the water, look to see if one is floating around you and put it on immediately. Don't take your clothes off unless absolutely necessary. A layer of water trapped inside your clothing will help insulate you.
- Get as much of your body out of the water as possible. Even though you may feel colder out of the water, the rate of heat loss will be slower than if immersed in water.
- If you cannot get out of the water quickly, act to protect against rapid heat loss. In as little as 10 minutes, you may be unable to self-rescue. Your focus now should be to slow heat loss.
- Safety typically looks closer than it actually is, so staying with the boat is usually a better choice than swimming.
- Adopt a position to reduce heat loss. If alone, use the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position; or if there are others in the water with you, huddle together. The HELP position looks similar to the fetal position.
- If you must swim, conserve energy and minimize movement. Swim on your back with your upper arms against the sides of your chest, your thighs together, and your knees bent. Flutter-kick with your lower legs.
- Be prepared at all times to signal rescuers.
- Seek medical help immediately.
For more information on cold water safety visit here.
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