Author: The Record
Published December 27, 2023

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In a heartwarming tale of survival fitting for the holiday spirit, Akli Ait-Eldjoudi, a local dog-owner, received the “best Christmas present ever!” after his dog, Gaïa, was dramatically rescued from the icy grip of Massawippi Lake. A cheerful Christmas Day was the reward for both the dog and her family following Gaïa’s ill-fated chase after ducks that led her 50 meters from shore, where the ice betrayed her. The quick response and bravery of local firefighters, dubbed “guardian angels” by Ait-Eldjoudi, turned a chilling incident into a timely reminder of the perils of thin ice and the importance of ice safety.

Gaïa on thin ice

“I was in the middle of touring Estrie with my parents,” Ait-Eldjoudi said, “and we stopped for two seconds in Ayer’s Cliff.” He opened the car door to let Gaïa stretch her legs. The second she was free, she bolted.

Ait-Eldjoudi had not seen the ducks out on Massawippi Lake, but Gaïa had. She chased them out on the frozen waters, getting as far as 50 meters from shore. Then, she went through the ice. “I was very upset!” he admitted.

Gaïa tried to climb back out of the water onto the ice, but it kept breaking under her weight. There was no way Ait-Eldjoudi could save her safely himself, so he called 9-1-1. “They understood the gravity of the situation,” he recounted.

It took around 30 minutes for the firefighters to arrive. During that time, he kept speaking to Gaïa to reassure her. Towards the end of their wait, she started wailing in a way he had never heard before. “I’m hurting! I’m going to die!” he took it to mean. They had tried to get help from neighbouring houses, but all the boats were stowed away for the winter.

The firefighters, after reassuring him everything would be okay, placed their own rescue boat on the water and progressively broke the ice in front of them as they made their way out to where Gaïa was stranded. They pulled her out of the water and brought her back to shore, after which she spent 15 minutes in their truck, wrapped in blankets, to warm up.

It was Christmas Day and Ait-Eldjoudi and his family took Gaïa home and had fun with her and opened presents. “We never would have celebrated Christmas,” he said, if things had worked out for the worse.

Ait-Eldjoudi emphasized that people must be cautious concerning thin ice. “Don’t take any risks,” he urged. During the ordeal it was the worst he had ever felt, he was totally powerless. “There was nothing I could do. It was horrible.”

Ice rescues


Régie Incendie Memphrémagog Est Division Chief Dany Brus, based in Ayer’s Cliff, offered further information on the incident and ice safety and rescues in general.

“We get a call almost once a year for a dog on the lake,” Brus said, “it happens more often than you think.” They respond to those calls, unlike those concerning cats in trees, because if they do not rescue the animal, someone else will likely try and put themselves at risk. He would rather help the animal first than have to deal with rescuing a human being.

Upon receiving a call, the firefighters make their way to their station and suit up, so they are ready to go when they arrive at the scene. Firefighters will prioritize ice rescues, even if they are currently on a fire call; ideally, they split into teams. One truck always contains everything they will need for an ice rescue.

During the rescue, the firefighters wear “ice commander” dry suits, helmets, and lifejackets, and are equipped with ice picks and ropes. They operate in two teams – a “red team” and a “yellow team”. For this incident, they used a “Polar 75”, a special boat made for ice rescues that has openings on each end to pull people (or animals) in. The boat is connected by a rope to a team on shore, who pulls it rapidly to shore once the “patient” is safely onboard.

The dog was dried off as fast as possible once it was back on land. The truck is also equipped with a heated “rescue cube” to warm the patient up until they can recover.

If the ice is thick, the firefighters will not use a boat but go out on frozen waters, first walking, then crawling, then sliding on their bellies to make the rescue.

It was Station #3 (Ayer’s Cliff) and Station #4 (North Hatley) that responded.

“Don’t go on the ice,” Brus said, when asked if he had a message to impart. Do not go near the edge of the ice near open water. Ice is thinner near entrances and exits of the lake, like the mouths of streams or rivers. “We don’t have the winters we used to,” he said, “it’s more unpredictable now.”

Ice safety

Brus emailed The Record a list of ice safety measures, detailed below:

– Stay on safe surfaces and away from hazardous areas such as streams and rivers.

– Ice should be checked regularly to ensure that it is thick and strong enough for recreational use.

– Measure ice thickness at several points.

– Local conditions such as currents and water depths can affect ice thickness. Consult knowledgeable locals.

– Never go out on the ice alone.

– Someone with you could rescue you or go for help if you run into difficulties. Before leaving shore, tell someone where you’re going and what time you’ll be back.

– Dress warmly.

– Wearing several layers of clothing allows you to remove or add pieces for optimum comfort in all circumstances. Don’t forget the extremities: waterproof boots, warm gloves and a well-lined tuque help keep the heat in.

– Carry your safety equipment with you at all times.

– Ice picks, worn around the neck with a string, are indispensable on frozen water. Make sure you have a rope and a small personal safety kit in your pocket.

– If you’re driving on ice, be ready to react.

– Turn on your headlights, open your windows, unlock your doors, and make sure your seatbelts are not buckled, so you can escape quickly from your vehicle if the ice gives way under its weight.

– Always keep an eye on children and accompanying persons.

– Children must always be under the active supervision of an adult. If they are not within arm’s reach, they have ventured too far.

– Be aware of the dangers of ice rescue.

– Rescuing another person from the ice can be dangerous. The safest way to perform a rescue is from the shore. If you see someone in trouble, call 9-1-1.

The recommended minimum ice thickness for new and clear ice according to societedesauvetage.org is:

7 cm (3″) or less – danger

10 cm (4″) – single walker

12 cm (5″) – snowmobile or ATV

20-30 cm (8-12″) – automobile

30-38 cm (12-15″) – medium weight truck

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