Below are links to two ice water rescues that occurred over the last couple of weeks. Sadly, despite the courageous efforts of passers-by, not everyone made it out alive. Condolences to the families.

Many valuable lessons here. First and foremost, I think, are the rapid and devastating consequences of immersion in very cold water. Second is the fact that any of us could be the first responder to a situation where others' lives hang in the balance.

Vehicle hits black ice, plunges into ice-covered reservoir:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Snow...6928/story.html

Man plunges through ice in canyon:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgary+brother+rescue+hiker+from+water+trap/3983406/story.html