Avoiding Tragedy: Staying Warm and Safe While Ice Fishing

The tragedy highlights the dangers of a fun winter pastime.

It’s a feeling of heartbreak the ice fishing community has experienced one too many times.
 
Bobby Kramer grew up fishing on the lake, he tries to get out at least a few times a month. But before he drops his line, he checks a few things first.
 
“I always check my lines before I go out because leaking propane into the house. It’s just another bad thing that can make you light headed and pass out,” says Bobby Kramer of Fargo.
 
Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless gas and that’s what makes it just so dangerous.
 
“It can be anything from a mild headache to nausea, vomiting to someone that might end up having a seizure going into a coma and even dying so it can be very, very dangerous,” says Essentia Health Emergency Medicine Director, Dr. Bud Belk.
 
And it can happen in a matter of minutes.
 
“Small space will happen much faster,” says Belk.
 
“And the number one piece of advice to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to make sure you have a well ventilated hut.”
 
“Make sure the door is cracked. There is plenty of ventilation in my fish house because I have vents in the top but make sure that the door is open to get a little cross breeze going through makes it a little easier to make sure nothing is going on in there,” says Kramer.
 
But anglers aren’t the only ones that need to be cautious.

Dr. Belk says he sees about a dozen cases a year many during the fall.
 
“We see a lot of people in the fall time turn their heaters on they might not have them checked properly. They might have a carbon monoxide leak.” says Belk.
 
It’s a silent killer that strikes when you’re not even aware, so if you’re experiencing any symptoms get help right away.
 
“If anyone is in an area where they are using heated sources in the winter or the fall and they get a headache, nausea, vomiting it’s something they should get consider to get it checked out,” says Belk.
 
It’s also important to pay attention to which way the wind is blowing. If your fish house is only ventilated on one side, the wind can blow the carbon monoxide right back into the house.