Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Training Makes Ice Bucket Challenge Look Easy [Video]

Ice bucket challenges continue to raise money and fill social media, but bathing in ice cold water is nothing new to the Michigan DNR's conservation officers.

It's part of their training.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers. They provide natural resources protection, recreational safety, and general law enforcement.

Conservation officers are first responders to natural disasters and emergencies. They also enforce regulations for outdoor recreational activities including: off-road vehicle use, snowmobiling, boating, hunting and fishing.

Conservation officers work outdoors and must be prepared for the elements.

There is no doubt they are prepared.

DNR Recruit School Commander Sgt. Jay Person explains the extreme training:

This training teaches the recruit how his or her body will respond if they fall through the ice into the water. We work on a lot of frozen surfaces, and there is always a risk of falling through. This training was important because it helps recruits understand what happens to their motor skills in ice-cold water."

Learn more about Michigan conservation officers.