Ice Diving Skills crossover?

[dive_forever]

I am debating about taking an icediving course this winter.

The queston that I have is do any of the skills for the specialty course of ice diving help in warm water diving?

I know that this is a pretty specific specialty course, I was hoping that the skills gained would help in "normal" diving.

For those that have taken the course, any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[samaka]

Hi there mate.

Ice diving is fantastic and I can really recommend the course. I used to do a lot of ice diving when I lived in Sweden.

Regarding skills that can be used also in warm waters I would say that it's good training for any future diving in over-head environment, such as wrecks or caves.

This is what my PADI Instructor Manual says about the skills:

Dive data
1. Number of dives: Three dives. No more than two
dives per day allowed.
2. No out-of-air drills are to be practiced in the overhead
environment.
3. Dives are limited to within the light zone and within a
maximum of 39 metres/130 feet (23 metres/75 feet recommended)
of the surface entrance point, vertical and
horizontal distances combined.
4. Dives will be conducted during daylight hours only.

DIVE ONE:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
• Demonstrate proper techniques for selecting and preparing an ice
diving site.
• Perform the tasks of a surface tender.
• Perform the tasks of a safety diver.
• Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
• Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no less than
one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE TWO:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
• Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
• Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no
less than one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE THREE:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
• Prepare, organize and lead an ice dive.
• Execute appropriate postdive procedure (entry hole closure).
• Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
• Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no less than
one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE FOUR: (Optional)
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
• Perform an under-ice search for a dive team that has become separated
from their safety line.
• Respond correctly to a dive team that signals: pull me in immediately.
• Execute the proper surface rescue procedure for an individual who has
fallen through the ice or into open water.

Nowadays I live in Egypt so I don't get to do that much ice diving...

.....a.....
Reed Sea Expert ;o)
WELCOME TO AZIAB

 

[Diver0001]

I took the IANTD ice specialty and in that course you use reels to lay out guidelines under the ice. In that case, the skills you learn translate somewhat to other environments like wreck diving.

If I remember correctly, the PADI course requires you to be attached to a safety line and to remain within 40 metres (horizontal + vertical distance) from the entry point. I'm not sure if you learn how to use reels in the PADI course. I'm not qualified to teach it so someone else will have to answer that.

In any event, the only thing I think you could possibly take away from an ice course in terms of skills that can be applied in other environments would be reel skills. The rest of it is a lot of fun but it's all very specific to that environment.

R..

 

[Barracuda2]

Man, diving seems to be getting more complicated all the time. I learned to ice dive by ice diving. Most of the do's and don't's are common sense. The only real skill you need to know. other than all the other basics of diving and common sense, (redundant gas, attached line, etc.) is how to tie a good bowline knot either on a harness or around your carcass, and make sure you and your tender know yours communication signals.
My advise to the poster is to find experienced ice divers (not necessarily certified) and join them for a few ice dives; you'll learn everything you need to know and probably then some and save yourself $150 bucks and room in your wallet where that plastic card would sit. Sorry---it's my age and upbringing.

Hi there mate.

Ice diving is fantastic and I can really recommend the course. I used to do a lot of ice diving when I lived in Sweden.

Regarding skills that can be used also in warm waters I would say that it's good training for any future diving in over-head environment, such as wrecks or caves.

This is what my PADI Instructor Manual says about the skills:

Dive data
1. Number of dives: Three dives. No more than two
dives per day allowed.
2. No out-of-air drills are to be practiced in the overhead
environment.
3. Dives are limited to within the light zone and within a
maximum of 39 metres/130 feet (23 metres/75 feet recommended)
of the surface entrance point, vertical and
horizontal distances combined.
4. Dives will be conducted during daylight hours only.

DIVE ONE:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
Demonstrate proper techniques for selecting and preparing an ice
diving site.
Perform the tasks of a surface tender.
Perform the tasks of a safety diver.
Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no less than
one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE TWO:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no
less than one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE THREE:
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
Prepare, organize and lead an ice dive.
Execute appropriate postdive procedure (entry hole closure).
Maintain neutral buoyancy while ice diving.
Monitor your air supply and surface with a tank pressure no less than
one-third of the starting tank pressure.

DIVE FOUR: (Optional)
Performance Requirements
By the end of this section you will be able to:
Perform an under-ice search for a dive team that has become separated
from their safety line.
Respond correctly to a dive team that signals: pull me in immediately.
Execute the proper surface rescue procedure for an individual who has
fallen through the ice or into open water.

Nowadays I live in Egypt so I don't get to do that much ice diving...

.....a.....
Reed Sea Expert ;o)
WELCOME TO AZIAB

 

[sibermike7]

My advise to the poster is to find experienced ice divers (not necessarily certified) and join them for a few ice dives; you'll learn everything you need to know and probably then some and save yourself $150 bucks and room in your wallet where that plastic card would sit. Sorry---it's my age and upbringing.

I also am going for the ice-diving course this year. I don't mind flopping out the money because I have to rent equipment anyway and the course here gives you a few extra dives. The cost difference between just renting the equipment and taking the cost is nil!

Of course, if you were just renting, you could do what you wanted instead of spending time demonstrating skills but on the other hand, if something prevents the dive that day, you get to try again. If renting, you pay either way!

As far as skills go. As mentioned, a lot of "overhead" awareness is transferable to other locations.

 

[JeffG]

If you are doing the PADI or SSI "Dope on a rope" style ice diving, there is no crossover skills what so ever.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't still do it though.

 

[dive_forever]

If you are doing the PADI or SSI "Dope on a rope" style ice diving, there is no crossover skills what so ever.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't still do it though.

The course that I am looking at is a PADI course. In your opinion which traning organization would give me the most out of this course?

BTW the cost of the course is $225. For that amount of money I want to get something really good out of it!

I am just wondering if it is worth the money, or if I should just spend the $ on air fills, and boat fairs.

 

[sibermike7]

PADI or SSI "Dope on a rope" style ice diving,

Which one is the "dope"? The guy in the water or the guy on the surface?

 

[JeffG]

The course that I am looking at is a PADI course. In your opinion which traning organization would give me the most out of this course?

See Diver0001 post.

BTW the cost of the course is $225. For that amount of money I want to get something really good out of it!

I am just wondering if it is worth the money, or if I should just spend the $ on air fills, and boat fairs.

only you can say. Ice diving is a neat experience. Most divers that I see do the course and then never ice dive ever again.