Any Ice Divers Out There ?

[jmsdiver]

Yes, I know that is a sick question, but I think it fits more toward the technical side of things even though rec divers can get a cert in it.

Having done some ice diving in the past, I wanted to ask my esteemed colleagues here:

1. What kind of equipment and config do you prefer to use for this type of diving?

2. What procedures do you prefer to use in way of surface support, diving procedures/protocols, supervision, etc. etc.

3. How did you obtain your knowledge base? Books (which ones?), other divers, experience, classes, etc. etc.

Thanks for you input in advance.

 

[lakesdiver]

I've only been ice diving for 2 years, so note the lack of experience. I use my standard great lakes rig. scubapro superhawk bc, d350/mk10 reg. Never had a problem (except the time I breathed the reg on the surface pre-dive and it started freeflowing). No special fins, mask, hood. Usual drysuit config.

We use ice screws, lines, "snow wheel" if there's snow on the ice. Taking turns tending and as safety diver. One person supervises. I could say these are the procedures I prefer, but, then, they're the only procedures I've ever seen.

Wife and I originally took a cert class, tho' knowledge has been informally added to on subsequent dives.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Originally posted by jmsdiver
Yes, I know that is a sick question, but I think it fits more toward the technical side of things even though rec divers can get a cert in it.

Having done some ice diving in the past, I wanted to ask my esteemed colleagues here:

1. What kind of equipment and config do you prefer to use for this type of diving?

2. What procedures do you prefer to use in way of surface support, diving procedures/protocols, supervision, etc. etc.

3. How did you obtain your knowledge base? Books (which ones?), other divers, experience, classes, etc. etc.

Thanks for you input in advance.

Greetings,

1. I use the exact same DIR gear configuration and equipment for all my diving with only slight changes depending on the dive (basically single tank or double tanks).

2. I treat an ice dive like shipwreck penetration.

3. Experience in shipwreck penetrations.

IMO, ice diving is one of the most advanced types of diving that can be done and shouldn't be taken lightly (in fact, take it extremely seriously). It's comparable to cave diving, but worse with the cold factor -- not as bad as cave diving in that you have decent ambient light. I would, however, recommend a good cave course over a "PADI" ice diving course.

I really don't do much ice diving -- not a lot interest really. I like ice shelfs though. It's pretty tough to find a nutt case to go with and expend the energy to cut a hole in the ice and get cold.

Take care.

Mike

 

[Green_Manelishi]

First when I was 15 (or 16?). Last couple of years done
at a nearby lake with members of dive club.

We are tethered to surface and tended. Tether is attached to
ice-screw several feet away from hole and attached to a harness
that we wear underneath BC.

Diver tethers are much shorter than safety diver. Safety diver
is geared and ready at moments notice.

I use same rig ice diving as I do OW ... backplate, DIR routing of
hoses, dry-suit, etc. (NO snorkel)

No cert ... "specialty" diving has been taken to the lunatic
extreme.

Unless a diver is COMPLETELY comfortable (and we know what
that means) diving in OW they have no business under ice.

 

[JoelW]

This will be my second year at it assuming we actually get any ice that is thick enough.

I use the same gear as for cold water: drysuit, bp/wing,etc. The only addition is a harness to hook to the tether.

Basically when I have gone the setup is similar to what has been stated above: diver in the water on a tether, safety diver on a longer tether sitting by the hole, tender and someone to keep track of what is going on.

I took a class with one of the stores here. The owner wrote a very good manual for ice diving and that is what is used for the class.

JoelW

 

[Jonathan]

Just got this from my old gang in the UK - not sure that it should be done this way, but then if you knew the charcters involved.......

Hello Everyone,
We did it!
The first club dive of the year was undertaken by approx 12 divers from the club and what a great adventure we had.
The day started with us all meeting here at the dive centre and then heading off for the somewhere in the wilderness called Leybourne Lakes. We drove to the usual entrance and received directions to the new improved facilities around the 'otherside'

After a drive along a road that led to the new car park and footbridge, we inspected the water or rather ice lake. Everyone started to look bewildered as to how they were to dive through this hard stuff.

Getting to know you through your courses is always an advantage and as I have mentioned before as your local dive centre we are aware of your strengths and weaknesses and special skills.
After telling everyone they should not be diving in these perilous conditions a boulder was thrown at the surface to prove the point. A few faces winced and looked in disbelief as it skidded across the surface, everyone looked and pondered the problem before them.
I would have preferred it if the group had elected for a pub dive but no, not this lot, they still want to dive.
"You're mad, its dangerous" I exclaimed, "Well we here now" was the reply. "yes and its bloody dangerous" I enthused. "We want to go diving" they further replied.

The divers grouped and murmered, huddled in the car park and then broke ranks armed with club hammers and a secret weapon they descended upon the waters edge and pointed 'Phil breaker Elliott ' towards the lake. "He can break anything" Someone shouted. I know that I thought, remembering my shop window and every item of dive equipment he has ever purchased. So off they went clad in drysuits,led by Phil swinging and breaking the ice. I was surprised to see the ice nearly two inches thick as they worked there way out towards the centre of the lake. Club hammers swinging and determined they waded back to the shore declaring the ice to be defeated looking very pleased with themselves.

The divers returned to the car park and donned the rest of their equipment. Whilst they were putting together there plans I wondered around looking at the regulators people were using to spot who was more prone for a free flow.
Off they marched led by 'Mad Phil' and his side kick 'Iceman' Forsey, into the water they dipped upto their knees all the lemmings followed.
"They really are going to do it" I said to Ian "madness" he replied.

I decided I had better put the rest of my kit on and leave the warm BBQ for someone more qualified.
I arrived at the waters edge and looked out to see twelve or so divers bobbing on the surface all not wanting to be the first one down in case the were eaten by some mysterious creature that lurked beneath.
Ian and I donned our full face masks, submerged and finned off for the 4m platform where we knew the divers would be descending to.
The dive went very well, follow the ropes and you will be OK I signed. I spent the dive escorting divers to and from the BMW car, the boat and the platform my full face mask and heat packs keeping me really really warm. The visibility was good but dark due to the lack of light penetration through the ice.

After exiting the water I walked back to the carpark to find a group of very excited and chattering divers all huddled around the BBQ.
Excited they should be, they had just completed a dive in conditions that they knew were on the edge of sports diving. Ice diving is an activity that requires alot of specialist training to be done safely. This lot had just done a dive that left them feeling cold but elated.
Please dont do it on your own!
We had tea, coffee, steak, bacon and egg sanwiches, burgers and soon everyone started to refuse anymore food.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, a good dive in dangerous conditions is always fun, as long as you survive!
We packed up our kit and everyone started to head off home feeling happy and rewarded that they had met their objectives and had a dive tale to tell that will last for months.
Diving in ice is extremely dangerous without the special equipment and training. The overhead layer of ice cannot be broken without heavy tooling, look at Phils head at the club meeting even he couldnt break it when using the most dense substance known to man! (Only joking) he did try though!

A big thankyou to everyone who came along I know I enjoyed the event, I was amazed to see one diver endure the dive in a semi-dry suit, he deserves a medal or wack from his sons he brought along. It was great to meet the family members of those who did attend, a big thank you to Mrs Forsey who helped with the BBQ and acted as our dive marshall counting all the divers in and out of the water.

See you all at the club meeting and remember we have an evening on safe winter diving staged for Friday evening.

Take Care

 

[voidware]

I know of the MN weather: 10 months of winter, 2 months poor snowmobiling, so ice diving must be readily accessible. Still, what posseses one to go diving in such frigid waters? If its the thrill of the sport, or you're a polar bear, I can understand. But REALLY? I have trouble getting in water much below the 70's (but I also wear a 5mm in the caribbean).

The fact is I would like to try it if it weren't so cold.

brandon

 

[lakesdiver]

Brandon,
Wanna' stay warm? Repeat after me...DRYSUIT.

 

[scubaturek]

We don't have to worry about ice, everything above 8000ft is frozen solid. We'll head up sometime next month.

Here's my rig: shell-type drysuit, with heavyweight long underwear under the undergarment, and heat packs by my ankles. Backplate/harness (divers with rec bc's have to wear a web harness with crotch strap), single tank, argon suit inflation, reg is sealed.

We drive out on the lake (ice is average 20" thick), sometimes erect a shack, cut a triangular hole 7 or 8ft on a side. If there's snow, we shovel/blow a wagon wheel, but sometimes the lake is blown clean. 2 divers at a time, either each has their own line or both are on one line, these are 100ft long. Safety diver is ready to go, on 200ft line. Lines are anchored to ice with ice screws. Lines are attached to divers with double carabiners (non-locking; the locking types tend to freeze up). The ice block is shoved under the ice, popped back in place when we're done and very clearly marked. We have coolers with hot water to keep our hoods and gloves warm.

I was introduced to ice diving by a friend who is a PADI/TDI instructor, this led to a PADI cert. There are some divers with us that have no cert, but previous experience. I helped an SSI instructor write up an ice specialty, I did a lot of research as a result. This will be my 3rd year under the ice, I love it.

Yes, it's a lot of work for a couple of short, shallow dives. But with a good sized gang (hint: they don't all have to be divers) it's not too bad. I think ice diving is as much a social outing as anything. We always have a good time.

It's really strange to be under and look up and know that there's a dozen 4WD trucks on top of you.

I can't wait...

Joe

 

[Lance Gothic]

Brothers & Sisters of Ice Diving,
jmsdiver,

High grade training!
Excellent equipment!
Surface support crew!
And a warming/pre-, post dive hut.

ALL preparatory training and planning that can make any dive a safe one are definitely recommended!
Lost Yooper. High marks for your comments.
Green_Manelishi...TETHER!
JoelW. Which shop? I'd like to get a copy of the manual.

Search & Rescue divers make a great resource here.
Definitely like wreck diving.

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi