Clear Lake, IA Body Recovery
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In January '00, our team assisted the Clear Lake Fire Dept. in recovering the body of a woman who drowned while snowmobiling on Clear Lake. This was one of THE BEST run incidents I have been involved with. Incident command had total control. Access to the ice was restricted to one access point and everyone logged in & out. No non-essential personnel were allowed on the ice. As seen in this picture, secondary rope-tenders without ice-rescue suits were kept well clear of open water.
Divers were assisted to the waters edge & tended by personnel wearing surface-ice-rescue suits. This precaution proved beneficial on the second day when a large portion of ice broke sending several (suit-clad) individuals into the frigid water. Many of the individuals carried "ice-picks" to facilitate self-rescue in the event of falling in.
Local utility companies provided shelters and heaters so searchers could re-hab and suit up in a warm environment. Area snowmobilers provided transportation of personnel and equipment. Temperatures were around 10 deg. F with 10 to 15 knot winds. The Red Cross and local restaraunts provided warm food and drink. Pictured here on the left are 4 of our members, Marv Anderson, Jim Cook, Tom Siglin and Steve Weliver. Divers from all over the state of Iowa, from Rochester, MN, Minneapolis, MN, Illinois and Nebraska responded to assist.
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