For many of these fishermen, winter time is the best time to fish. That's because Winter fish are easy to catch.

[Fisherman]:

"First of all, it is for pleasure. Secondly, the fish are biting…the most important thing is that they are biting. When you sit and the fish start biting on a hook, you feel happy, like the happiest man."

Winter fishing can be dangerous. Thin ice can crack, and fishermen instantly find themselves under water. Despite warnings about the danger, rescuers have to pull out a few drowning people from the icy water every year.

[Andrew Shibanov, Rescue Diver]:

“A common situation is when a man goes and he falls under the thin ice — he falls through.”

This rescue diver tells what to do if you are in freezing water.

[Andrew Shibanov, Rescue Diver]:

"The first tip is not to panic. Hold on to the edge of the ice, and test its thickness. If the ice is weak, it will break. You must break it until you feel it is firm."

At the same time try not to get the ice wet--to avoid slipping. One needs to find a foothold and, if there is none, the hands can be used. A sharp movement of the legs is required to push one’s self up onto the ice, as far as possible.

So far this winter, rescuers have pulled six people from icy waters. Several devices helped them achieve this, including an inflatable boat and completely waterproof diving suits that keep the body warm.

[Andrew Shibanov, Rescue Diver]:

"There's a heater. It’s quite a revolutionary system of synthetic wool. The colder you are, the more it warms and the longer it retains heat."

This suit is not only used by rescuers, but the fishermen as well. It is equipped with everything necessary to ensure the owner’s complete safety in the water.

In such an outfit one really does not feel the cold. It is also impossible to drown. There is a special inflatable cushion under the head that keeps the face dry. There is also a whistle and light to help rescuers locate the person in the water. 

One drawback to wearing the suit is that it's not that comfortable. 

[Vitali Karwowskiy, Rescuer]:

"The first important safety rule for fishermen is to wear a life jacket. The second thing is not to panic."

Fishermen have come up with their own ways to rescue people.

[Fisherman]:

"If a person is hairless, you should grab him by the leg. Do not let him grab you. When people are afraid they try to grab people. If it is a beautiful girl, with long hair, you can pull her by the hair."

There are a few more tips.

[Valery Girchenko, Fisherman]:

"You need to have a rope, and don’t keep your hands in your pockets when you go on the ice, however thick it is. When you find yourself in an ice-hole, try to topple over on your back and to swim back to the place you came from. Don’t swim forward." 

Lifeguards recommend walking only on well-trodden paths, and not to tread on shaky ice.

NTD News, Kiev, Ukraine.