I am always very nervous when I venture out on frozen lakes to go skating or skiing that the ice will not be able to take my weight, and I will go plummeting into the icy depths. (This is partly because I live in the city and don't get to do it very much, I suppose.)

Also, I have read that hidden crevasses are a major danger to Artic and Alpine workers, whether on foot, ski or snowmobile.

So how about a handy little sonar (or radar), that will map out the ice depth or the under-snow conditions ahead of you, with a convenient heads-up display? (On a snowmobile, it could be mounted on the dash.)
-- DrCurry, Mar 09 2003

Ice Sonar http://www.cabelas....es&_requestid=36770
...but, wouldn't you guess it, it's for (ice) fishing, not safer navigation. [DrCurry, Mar 07 2006]

I don't know if SONAR will work but ground penetrating RADAR exists. Don't know if a handheld device is practical, though. Pretty high radiation danger and maybe a large power requirement?
-- bristolz, Mar 09 2003


Most snowmobile deaths in this country occur with an inebriated male speeding across a nearly frozen lake at night.
-- FarmerJohn, Mar 09 2003


Who is this inebriated male? Someone should stop him!
-- beauxeault, Mar 09 2003


Oh, now I understand. But why aren't females killed the same way? Is it because the females are...
...lighter weight?
...less likely to be inebriated?
...not allowed on snowmobiles?
...luring inebriated males to their deaths by scampering around in only seven layers of clothing (practically naked!) on the opposite side of the lake?
-- beauxeault, Mar 09 2003


Fewest snowmobile deaths in this country occur with a sober female slowly traversing snow in the daytime.
-- FarmerJohn, Mar 09 2003


You'd think she'd make an easier target.
-- beauxeault, Mar 09 2003


applause, beaux, for the whole series.
-- waugsqueke, Mar 09 2003



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