Residents of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, participated in ice safety training during week 12 of 2026, learning essential skills for surviving falls through ice. The training took place at Övikshamnen harbor in central Örnsköldsvik, according to SVT Västernorrland.
Mikael Vestman, a leisure development officer with Örnsköldsvik municipality, organized the annual event aimed at increasing public knowledge about ice safety. "Generally, many people are very afraid of the ice. And we don't want people to be afraid. We want them to understand it and have the right equipment," Vestman said.
Generally, many people are very afraid of the ice. And we don't want people to be afraid. We want them to understand it and have the right equipment,
SVT reporter Johanna Dyrén participated in the training, experiencing for the first time how to climb out of an ice hole using ice picks and guidance from instructors. "This was a different day at work," Dyrén noted after jumping into an ice hole and climbing back out. She added that the experience provided valuable safety knowledge: "When an accident does happen, I know what to do, so that's a security in itself."
The training attracted approximately 170 students from eleven schools in Örnsköldsvik, with some teachers also participating. Vestman emphasized the importance of proper equipment, noting that ice picks costing from 50 Swedish kronor could be life-saving. The municipality describes Örnsköldsvik as a "water municipality" where residents have good opportunities to travel safely on both water and ice.
This was a different day at work,
When an accident does happen, I know what to do, so that's a security in itself.