With temperatures dipping to -47C, officers equipped with dry suits, spent close to five hours in and out of the frigid waters at Paint Lake. The officers were required to enter the cold water through a hole cut in the ice of Paint Lake to practice classroom techniques. Some of the officers, wearing everyday winter gear, entered the water without a dry suit in order to gain the experience and understanding of what is required in order to protect those that we serve and ourselves.
Officers equipped with dry suits, take part in ice rescue training in the frigid waters at Paint Lake.
Providing policing services to the citizens of northern Manitoba require RCMP officers to often patrol remote areas that are surrounded by lakes and rivers, as well as travelling many kilometres on winter roads. Unfortunately some of the calls which the police receive are to respond to incidents where someone has fallen through the ice.
With support from Manitoba Hydro, 12 RCMP officers serving in various detachments throughout Northern Manitoba were provided with the opportunity to take part in ice rescue training. Over a two-day period, ice rescue experts attended Thompson, to provide training and practical experience to the officers for personal safety, self rescue and details to initiate rescue systems as it pertains to ice emergencies.
