This amazing photo of the ice rescue of David Hanson, who fell through the ice on Sweeney Lake in Golden Valley Minnesota, was taken on December 1, 2002 by his wife Mim through their living room window.
The following article is quoted from the Golden Valley City News / January-February 2003
Frisbuoys: Inexpensive Device Aids Rescue
Minnesota was spared at least one ice-related fatality last year, thanks in part to an orange, frisbee-like device with about a $30 price tag. The device, called a Frisbuoy, was instrumental in the Golden Valley Public Safety Department’s rescue of a Golden Valley resident who fell through the ice on Sweeney Lake December 1. Public Safety Director Bob Hernz came across the Frisbuoy in October at the
International Association of Chiefs of Police Convention in Minneapolis. He immediately recognized that the device with a rope wound around the middle would be useful in the hands of a first responder when time was of the essence. By mid-November, there were Frisbuoys in each of the City’s 10 squad cars. Lucky for David Hanson. Despite the many stay-off-the-ice warnings engendered by the unseasonably warm weather in November and December,
Hanson thought he was safe ice-skating on Sweeney Lake. He fell through the ice about 100 yards from shore and, standing chest-high in water, found he couldn’t get out. His wife, who was watching from their living room window, called 911. Golden Valley Police Officer Joe Dutton responded to the call. On his second toss he got the Frisbuoy to Hanson, pulling him out of the water and towing
him to shore on his stomach. Frisbuoys are designed to be easier to throw than ropes and lifesaving rings. "I think the simplicity and easy use of the Frisbuoy was well demonstrated by Officer Dutton’s rescue of Mr. Hanson," said Hernz. "We are always looking for equipment to better serve Golden Valley residents.” Reprinted, with permission, from Golden Valley CityNews,
January/February 2003, City of Golden Valley, Minnesota.  At right is a closeup of the very same photo of David Hansen as he was pulled across the ice to safety.
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