Jackpot! Watch a Heat-Seeking Drone Find New York Hiker

A New York man is safe after falling through the ice on a frozen marsh in upstate New York, and it's all thanks to 21st-century technology.

Winter weather poses many dangers to outdoor enthusiasts, with frostbite and hypothermia proving to be two of the most fatal. The hiker, who had fallen through ice roughly 1 1/2 inches thick, was practically invisible to the human eye. Luckily, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) was able to call in reinforcements.

Ice Rescue in Onondaga County, NY

"The subject was walking along the marshy area in hip waders when he fell through ice", the NYSDEC reported in a recent press release. "Although the subject’s hip waders flooded, he was able to get to an island to remove the hip waders, move around to keep warm, and call 911". While it was nearly impossible to spot the man through falling snow (below), the Oswego County Sheriff's Office was on hand to lend their drone services.

Heat Vision Drones Used in Ice Rescue in Lysander, NY

The photo above shows what the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area in Lysander, NY looks like to the naked eye. While the NYSDEC has circled the location of the subject, he remains invisible to any rescue worker who may be searching for him. Look at the difference heat vision makes below.

It took an impressively-short 55 minutes between emergency response and location of the subject, who was experiencing mild hypothermia when he was reached by rescue crews. It was a phenomenal outcome to a situation that could have been much worse, as evidenced by another recent (and fatal) ice fishing accident in nearby Otsego county, NY.

Read More: What Happened at Fatal Ice Fishing Accident in Upstate New York

One man died and another required an emergency water rescue in Edmeston, NY after they fell through the ice on Basswood Pond. The incident highlighted not only the bravery of first responders, but the necessity to check conditions, including ice thickness, before exploring in the winter months.

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While there are safety precautions to observe before winter excursions, like wearing proper cold weather gear (including shoe spikes) and sharing your location with family or friends, there are also actions you can take at home. Review New York's winter preparedness checklist below.