Hey Standingbear56,
I'm part of a rather large canadian fire based dive team. We are extremely fortunate to have a department that recognizes the important implications that come with diving in an overhead environment such as ice. Every year we are given time to train our ice surface rescue skills when the ice is thin and the potential for events is high. We use heavy neoprene drysuits, full body harnesses, zodiac inflatable boats with a webbing system tied around every anchor point around the boat. Our surface rescuers are then cross-tied to the boat with muti-point webbing ( the lowest setting still allowing for the rescuers head to be above the water line should he fall in). We send the boat out (stern first) with 2 rescuers, this allows an easier victim lift into the boat. A line is also tied to the bow so it can be pulled in after victim retrieval, a mechanical advantage may also be tied-in should the situation warrant it. In conjuction with this system we also dress at least 2 divers on aga + comm lines and full body harnesses. The primary diver will use a spidering technique with ice awls to advance to the approximate location of the victim, should the situation turn into a dive he will be in place. The back-up diver has the identical set-up as the primary diver, except for a longer comm line so he can assist the primary diver should he become lost and off his line.
Once the ice is thicker, we concentrate our training to ice diving. We practice both rapid rescue mode evolutions and slower more methodical recovery modes as well. A rescue mode scenario will invlove minimum manpower, no shelter and rapid dressing. The recovery mode will include heated tents, nice large holes, extra manpower and extra gear. Practicing both modes allows our members to experience real time situations and diffuse to tendancy to look for shortcuts. As with any department we stuggle with gear freeze-up eventhough we have strict equipment handeling procedures. We use arctic regs with enviro-cold water 1st stages, we promote only using 1 air-draw at a time ( breath-in, inflate bc or inflate suit) and keeping equipment away from moisture and the cold environment at the same time. We always have a campstove with hot water available as well as passive warming equipment.
I will stop here as I am not sure if this is the type of information you are requesting, hopefully this will open some dialogue and we can expand on this important subject.
Duckman