I Almost Lost My Husband Last Night
By fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
Momence, Illinois
January 31, 2016 7:19am CST
Yesterday my husband went ice fishing. The ice is 6 inches thick, plenty of ice to ice fish. He went out at about 1 and thankfully returned at about 6. He was soaking wet, and when I saw this my stomach flipped. I knew what happened.
Just after dark he started in and there was a guy a ways ahead of him going in as well. Apparently the guy ahead of him as he was getting close to shore noticed the ice cracking so he went around the area. He had seen my husband coming in as well. So once this gentleman got to shore he stood and watched my husband to make sure he didn't fall in. But that's just what happened. My husband fell in. And the water was over his head at this point.
My husband told me that he had to drop all the stuff he was carrying and tried to move towards the shore and it was very difficult as he had on a big coat and boots. Finally he was able to stand. The next problem was getting out of the water onto the ice. My husband has spikes on a rope for just this problem you stick the spikes into the ice to pull yourself out of the water. But his were not where they were supposed to be, around your neck but in the bucket he had thrown up onto the ice. The man who was ahead of him already on shore threw my husband his spikes and after a few tries my husband got out of the water and safely to shore.
In my opinion that man was a hero, he saved my husbands life. My husband thanked him over and over. When my husband got home last night he being the macho man actually admitted he was scared he was going to die.
That's it no more ice fishing this winter. He lost most of his equipment but I don't even care my husband is safe and alive. The ice was safe, but yesterday the temps got to 50 degrees, and while the main body of water was safe ice, the shore lines were melting. My God I could have been a widow.
This is a shot of my husband on the ice a few years ago.
34 people like this
34 responses
@gudheart (12659)
•
31 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 I can imagine it how much of a scary moment that must have been :(
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
@gudheart He actually said it scared him pretty bad. This morning of course he is blowing it off. Men I mean what's up with that geez.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
My husband said he waited on shore and watched him, like he knew my husband was going to go in. i will be forever grateful he watched and saved my husband.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (457298)
• Switzerland
31 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 So true, the ground gets warm and the shoreline starts to melt.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
Well my husband thought the ice was safe. There were at least 20 guys out there fishing. But the shoreline was not safe. It's always the first to melt.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
@LadyDuck We have seen it before. I think he didn't think a few house of melting would have had an effect on the ice so quickly. I don't think any of the guys on the ice thought that either.
2 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
31 Jan 16
Oh wow, thankfully he's ok, I'm sorry to hear all of this, I guess he won't going ice fishing again.
3 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
2 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 You would think so, I know if it was me I would be grateful I was still here and wouldn't want to risk it again.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
At least not this winter. I hope he is done with ice fishing forever.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Feb 16
@kevin1877uk He will go again if I know my husband
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
31 Jan 16
Dear me! I am so glad to know that you did not lose him fish.
This is quite frightening.
Yes that other man is a hero.
Will he still go ice fishing now?
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
He told me he was done with ice fishing for this winter. Then he told me he is going to use our boat this spring to get his ice auger off the bottom of the lake. I think that means next winter he wants to do it again. I will try to talk him out of that.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
@TiarasOceanView All men are it seems lol.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
31 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 Time to hide his rods.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
@boiboing I think that is a fine idea.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
I was very unhappy about the whole thing. He did say he was done with ice fishing for the year. I am going to try to prevent him from ever going again.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325333)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 I find it hard to comprehend that you can have a heater on the ice! How cool is that - pardon the pun!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Feb 16
@JudyEv I have been on ice so thick, like 13 inches, that you can build a fire on it and it won't melt. It's pretty amazing to see.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Feb 16
@JudyEv I have a tent and heater for ice fishing. In my state it has to be removed every day, but in some states you can keep your hut out on the ice all winter.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
31 Jan 16
Oh my, I bet that was scary. Glad it had a happy ending.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
Me too, and after my initial shock I hit him in the arm, told him I didn't want to be a widow, then he got a big hug and kiss.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@fishtiger58 I think two hits to the head if that had been my husband!
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
@AbbyGreenhill Believe me I considered it
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
No they are just for the day and must be removed at the end of the day. Some more northern states allow the tents and huts to remain for the whole season. We have a tent and a heater as well. Some ice gets so thick in the northern states they drive their trucks onto the ice. The man who saved my husband is a hero in my book.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Feb 16
I don't like fishing to begin but to do it in/on ice??? NO WAY!
Glad he is okay but "The ice was safe" ?????????????
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
Safe ice is 4 inches, it was 6. We have ice fished for 30 years. But that day I guess it wasn't safe. I'm just glad my husband is alive.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79571)
• United States
1 Feb 16
Thank goodness that man was there to help your husband. I"d say that man was a hero too or else your husband might not be here today. I'd say that man was your husbands guardian angel and saved his life. How scary!
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
Very scary and if I knew who that man was I would find him and give him much thanks
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
I am forever grateful to that gentleman who helped my husband get out of that water safely. If it hadn't been for him I might not have my husband today.
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12927)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Feb 16
Oooh my thats scary. Thanks God he is well
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12927)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 And that man was a hero and he was there for a purpose
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
@Missmwngi I will be forever grateful he was.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
1 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 Is there any way you can find out who this man is? He is a hero in my book.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
Me too wish I knew who he was I would find him and give him a big sloppy kiss.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
@DianneN We can keep going to that lake, maybe my husband will recognize him. It was dark when this happened, so I'm not sure if hubby got a good look at him.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
He did admit to being scared, I am forever grateful he got out alive.
2 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
31 Jan 16
So very glad he's okay. How terrifying.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
Thanks I am too. Hope he will give this activity up.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
Yes we are, it was so scary, so glad for that man who helped him.
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Jan 16
Thank God you guys dodged a huge bullet! God was truly watching over your husband during the ordeal. And it was also very nice that the other guy stuck around to make sure your husband got back safely. He could have just been selfish and just left. Also, even though this was a scary ordeal, it was a good reminder of the importance of safety, and I'm sure every time your husband ice fishes from this point forward, he will be extra careful!
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
We have always been careful as we have been ice fishing almost 30 years. I think the quick melt is what surprised him, when ice is 6 inches thick it takes more that a few hours of 50 degree temps to weaken that ice. He called the lake park office today to warn them of that thin ice. I bet other ice fishermen wouldn't expect this quick melt either. I will be forever grateful to that man who helped and saved my husband.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
Me too, it was so scary, as soon as he walked in the house soaking wet, I knew what had happened,.
2 people like this
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
31 Jan 16
Thankfully the other gentleman noticed your husband there. I can imagine how scary it was for all involved, as well as for you at home, knowing that it could happen.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Feb 16
I am always nervous when he is out there, and grateful when he gets home. Hopefully I can now talk him out of this dangerous activity. I have been ice fishing for almost 30 years myself but yea it's a scary deal.
1 person likes this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
31 Jan 16
Glad there was a hero who saved your husband. Must have been terrifying.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Jan 16
It was, we have ice fished for over 30 years and never had this happen. It just shows how quickly something bad can happen.
2 people like this
