Planning for and executing ice dives is much different from prepping for the average scuba trip. Not only do you need some specialized equipment such as a drysuit and two environmentally sealed regulators, you also need specialized training, which will give you experience in the techniques you’ll be using when you finally head under the ice without an instructor close by. Because ice diving involves dangerous thermal conditions and a unique overhead environment, it should never be undertaken without special training. Here, we take a brief look at some basic ice diving techniques and training requirements.
The Importance of Correct Gear
Penetrating a thick blanket of ice to plunge into the frigid depths beneath might seem like absolute lunacy to some, but being properly equipped and trained makes the adventure a fairly comfortable one. The sights you’ll see are privy only to ice divers though, and the opportunity to dive in an extreme environment is exciting.
Special equipment considerations include drysuits, dry gloves, thermal underlayers, environmentally sealed regulators, and a secondary air supply. All the items you take with you under ice need to be rated to withstand freezing temperatures, as malfunctioning equipment can lead to a serious accident.
Training for Ice Diving
During ice diving training, you will work on buoyancy control techniques, and you’ll become familiar with special equipment such as a harness, ropes used to communicate with tenders, and weighting. You’ll also learn special communication techniques and get practice in dealing with equipment problems such as a free flowing regulator.
Besides practical diving skills, you’ll become acquainted with various ice forms and learn how to tell whether ice conditions are suitable for safe diving. You will also learn how to properly access the water via a triangular hole in the ice, plus you’ll learn to hoist yourself up out of the water, with the tender’s help, via the close angles of the triangular access hole that is cut into the ice. Every aspect of ice diving is designed with a specific reason or purpose behind it, and this means that training is intense. Everything you do will be closely scrutinized, as there is no room for error.
Ice diving is a truly intensive process from start to finish. From planning for the dive to preparing equipment, and from cutting the right type of access hole to retrieving divers after they’ve completed their journeys under the ice, each stage of the dive must be carefully choreographed to ensure safety and success. Ice diving is a team effort as much as it is a test of your ability to withstand the elements.
Diving beneath the ice gives you access to a magical underwater kingdom where fantastic shapes, beautiful colors, and softly filtered light reign supreme. The marvels you will see once you’ve dropped beneath the surface more than make up for the effort involved, and if you’re like most who enjoy ice diving, you’ll soon find that it’s tough to get enough. Whether you plan to dive locally or head to the Arctic or Antarctica for ice diving, your training and the techniques you learn will keep you safe and ensure that you enjoy the experience.