First responders for the NYPD give demonstration of how they pull off ice rescues
CENTRAL PARK (WABC) -- Ice rescues have been happening nearly every week since winter set in and officials warn those situations can turn deadly within seconds.
On Thursday, the NYPD was out to sharpen their ice rescue skills in Central Park.
Footprints on the pond say it all -- despite warnings, people are drawn to the ice.
That's why NYPD Det. Robert Rodriguez, a member of the SCUBA team, led the training session. He showed patrol officers, who may be the first to arrive when someone falls through the ice, what to do.
He's said once in frigid water, a person will experience a medical emergency in five to 10 minutes as their body will shut down, which is something he's seen during rescues.
He said one in particular on the west side stands out.
"I remember telling her to grab on to me, grab my shoulder, she couldn't lift her arms," Rodriguez said.
A specialized piece of equipment gets a flotation device to someone in the water.
Ninety percent of the time, when a person falls through the ice, it's close to land which is the reason Parks has placed extension ladders everywhere. And their length is strategic.
The timing of all of this is critical because we haven't even gotten to the most treacherous part of the season.
"Once the temperatures start to rise, you will still see the same ice out here but underneath it will be a lot of thinner," Rodriguez said.
The setting can be very deceptive because you can't tell if ice is three inches thick or 12.
"If I just get through to one out of 50 people, it's a win for me," Rodriguez said.
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