ASTM F1766-97a(2020)

Standard Guide for Ice Awls Self-Rescue Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for utilizing ice awls as a self rescue technique on ice.  
3.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide.  
3.3 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams; and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to ice emergencies.  
3.4 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as a component guide acknowledging many skills and techniques needed to respond at a cold water and ice emergency.  
3.5 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold-water protection and buoyancy to perform these rescues.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the self-rescue technique on ice utilizing the ice awl.  
1.2 This guide is one of a series of self-rescue techniques for the ice rescuer.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 13.340.99 - Other protective equipment
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1766-97a(2014) - Standard Guide for Ice Awls Self-Rescue Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Overview

ASTM F1766-97a(2020): Standard Guide for Ice Awls Self-Rescue Technique provides a comprehensive approach for utilizing ice awls as a self-rescue tool during ice emergencies. Developed by ASTM, this guide sets forth minimum performance requirements and recommended procedures for personnel involved in ice rescue operations. It is designed to support government agencies, emergency response organizations, fire departments, and anyone responsible for ice or cold water rescue preparedness.

This standard acknowledges that ice rescue operations are inherently risky and should not be carried out without proper personal protective equipment, such as immersion suits or drysuits with a personal flotation device (PFD). The guide is part of a series of self-rescue techniques safeguarding the health and safety of rescuers and the public.

Key Topics

• Ice Awls Definition and Use:
  Ice awls are hand-held devices with sharp spikes, essential for self-rescue on ice by allowing rescuers to grip and pull themselves onto the ice surface.

• Self-Rescue Procedure:
  The standard recommends clear steps for using ice awls after immersion in cold water:

  • Protect the mouth and nose upon immersion
  • Move to the edge of the ice
  • Use ice awls to grasp and pull onto the ice while kicking legs horizontally
  • Continue until reaching sufficiently strong ice
  • Roll away from the hole rather than standing up immediately

• Minimum Equipment Requirements:
  All rescuers should be equipped with:

  • An immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or an equivalent providing cold-water protection and buoyancy

• Applicable Personnel:
  This guide applies to any personnel identified as ice rescuers, ensuring consistent minimum performance and training standards.

• Safety and Environmental Responsibility:
  Users must assess safety, health, and environmental considerations, including compliance with applicable regulations and best practices.

Applications

• Emergency Response Training
  Fire departments, rescue teams, and regional emergency services can incorporate this guide into their ice rescue training programs to develop standardized self-rescue protocols.

• Government and Agency Adoption
  Local, state, or regional agencies responsible for winter safety can use ASTM F1766-97a(2020) to establish or update their operating procedures for personnel responding to ice-related emergencies.

• Workplace Health and Safety
  Industries operating in icy conditions (e.g., public works, utilities, transportation) can enhance the safety of workers by integrating ice awl self-rescue training and equipment into their occupational safety programs.

• Public Safety Initiatives
  Community outreach and educational programs on ice safety, supported by this standard, help raise awareness and preparedness among the general public, particularly in regions prone to freezing water bodies.

Related Standards

To maximize safety and effectiveness in ice rescue operations, consider referencing these related standards:

• ASTM F2751 - Standard Guide for Training for Level I Rope Rescue Operations
• ASTM F2413 - Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective Footwear
• NFPA 1670 - Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents
• ISO 12402 - Standards for Personal Flotation Devices

By aligning with ASTM F1766-97a(2020) and related technical standards, organizations can foster consistent, effective, and safe practices for ice rescue and self-rescue using ice awls, ultimately reducing risk and enhancing emergency preparedness.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1766 − 97a (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Guide for
Ice Awls Self-Rescue Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1766; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for
1.1 This guide covers the self-rescue technique on ice
utilizing ice awls as a self rescue technique on ice.
utilizing the ice awl.
3.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet
1.2 Thisguideisoneofaseriesofself-rescuetechniquesfor
the requirements of this guide.
the ice rescuer.
3.3 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams; and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
others who are responsible for establishing a minimum perfor-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mance for personnel who respond to ice emergencies.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.4 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
a component guide acknowledging many skills and techniques
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
needed to respond at a cold water and ice emergency.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.5 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold-water protection and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
buoyancy to perform these rescues.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Procedure
2. Terminology
4.1 Upon initial immersion in cold water, the rescuer should
2.1 Definitions:
cover the mouth and nose to prevent the aspiration of water.
2.1.1 drysuit, n—a protective suit that encompasses the
4.2 The rescuer should move to the edge of the opening in
wearer, prohibiting water from entering.
the ice.
2.1.2 ice awls, n—a device used for rescue on ice consisting
4.3 Grasp the ice awls placing one in each hand.
of a sharp spike with a handle.
4.4 Reach forward onto the ice and strike downward driving
2.1.3 immersion suit, n—a device designed to provide cold
the point of the ice awl into the ice.
water protection and buoyancy by one person in cold water
emergencies.
4.5 Allow feet and legs to float up behind you to the surf
...