Too much weight on the ice, and not prepared are too of the main reasons for this failure.
REACH - THROW and then GO !
1 CALL 911 - we have the equipment for this
1A] attempt to reach the person in the water with a stick, tree limb, ladder or long pole.
2] Throw a flotation device to them - cushion, life preserver or a rope. If you throw a rope , remember to throw it at them and aim OVER their head. Hypothermia will soon set in and then may not be able to reach the rope it it to the side of them. If the rope is on them , they have a better chance of grasping it.
3] Go - the LAST effort, going to the person. If you are going to go to them you need to CRAWL, not stand. Your weight is much more displaced when you crawl and chances of falling in like many of on the video are lessened. Use a float able sled or a small boat to get to them. To note, if you stand and fall in, the shock of the cold water may paralyze some, it is a muscle reaction and this is one way rescuers drown. If you crawl and the ice breaks, you slowly go into the water and the shock is less.
3a] IF you GO into the water,make sure you are tied off to a rope with some one on shore ready to pull you in. The victim may start to panic. Approach the victim from the rear, do not go face to face, they are scared and will attempt to climb over you or use you as a float. 2nd biggest way rescuers drown. Approach from the rear, hug them real tight (unless this is a rescue rope) and have people on the shore pull you in to shore, not just the next ice shelf.
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