In near-frozen water, you have exactly 10 minutes to get out of the icy waters before your muscles become too cold to function. As well, your heart rate and blood pressure increases, so the chance of cardiac arrest and sudden death could occur. Know these preventative measures and how to survive if you find yourself in this type of emergency.

For any of you who have ever read Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the possibility of breaking through the ice and either drowning or dying from subsequent exposure to the elements does exist.  In most situations that can turn deadly, the way to avoid them is through diligence and proper preparation.  Water crossings in the winter are no different.  Let's jump into it…figuratively speaking!