With todays sharp augers, if you are walking on the ice, always place the cover back on the auger. No reason to fall, have the auger go flying up in the air only to come back down on you, cutting you like a razor would.
Re: Bucket. Make sure the bucket is newer, and the handle is strong. I've had older buckets that were brittle and crack when pressure is put to them.
Tony, I'm guilty as charged for doing all the wrong things at least once, and actually more times than I care to admit. I've been thru the ice 3x, but each time was while trapping. Twice up to the waist, once swimming.
Same picks as I have, except my cord is the same color as the pics and mine aren't quite as rusty.
