chrisch
Contributor
....
I see the value in tenders for PSD diving (under ice or otherwise). I'm not sure how you create an "advanced ice" class that is both tended and not basically a rudimentary PSD class.
All my limited ice diving has been as if it were a lighted cave. The difference I see is that in a cave if you lose the line there are lost line protocols. Those protocols don't work as well in giant wide open spaces with no walls or nearby ceiling. They don't work at all in cross currents (ie a frozen river)
I agree with you 100% That is why I think more line work could be a foundation point for an advanced ice diver course. Such a course would teach people about the use of line, the pros and cons of fixed tethers and the suitability of teams and solo options for the diver. Some real learning to build on the experience dives that are the current offering from most agencies.
Entanglement drills could be carried out in a quarry or other "safe" environment that has a free surface. Neutral buoyancy skills and dealing with a free flow and going to the redundant backup gas all possible without ice.
Whether you can get everyone to agree on it and whether anyone would buy the training is another matter.