When you fall through, your body responds by taking a large gasp for air. One of the biggest threats when falling through is that your head goes underwater and you inhale water instead of air. Trying to swim in icy water and climb out while recovering from a coughing fit is the first step towards failure. If you don’t have a spud, carry your auger sideways when you travel to catch on the ice on the way down to prevent your head from going under. This tip was provided by an old-timer on the unpredictable Bay of Quinte in Ontario.