DIR -Ice Diving???

[eelpout]

I have diving under the ice since 1978 and I was wondering if there is a DIR way of diving under the ice. My training background for this was based on commercial diving: one diver/tender single line.

I have heard of divers using their Cave experience under the Ice. Now that I have received cave training I can see where it would apply. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciatted.

Will be under the ice soon,
Jim

[lizardland]

This was discussed on Techdiver many years ago. If the archive is still online then have a search at www.aquanaut.com

[Bob Cooper]

I've never done it but I would guess it would be executed just like a cave dive but with surface cover.

Here's what I would do..............

If conditions allow (depth, current etc.) drop a weighted shotline through the hole in the ice and have surface cover look after it. Drop in the team of divers and descend the shot line. Once at target depth, run a penetration reel from the shotline, just like a cave dive. The usual rules for gas, lights, guideline etc. would apply.

Anybody got anything else to add?

Bob

[ppo2_diver]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

I've never done it but I would guess it would be executed just like a cave dive but with surface cover.

Here's what I would do..............

If conditions allow (depth, current etc.) drop a weighted shotline through the hole in the ice and have surface cover look after it. Drop in the team of divers and descend the shot line. Once at target depth, run a penetration reel from the shotline, just like a cave dive. The usual rules for gas, lights, guideline etc. would apply.

Anybody got anything else to add?

Bob

I would add that you need to have the shot line securely anchored in more than one place on the surface. Using ice screws, do a primary tie off one, then a secondary tie off on the other. I would also use high viz line for the shot line so you can see it (if possible).

You would also need to have a support diver on the surface to keep the hole from freezing closed.

Yeah, the usual rules for gas, lights, guidelines, etc would apply.

DJ

[Rick]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

Anybody got anything else to add?

Bob

Oh and wear some wooly socks!!

[rjack]

Help a non-ice, non-cave diver out here.

Why the shot line at all? Why not just do your primary and secondary ties to a couple of ice screws?

Is it because the primary line would then form an angle?

Richard

[ppo2_diver]

Quote: (Originally Posted by rjack)

Help a non-ice, non-cave diver out here.

Why the shot line at all? Why not just do your primary and secondary ties to a couple of ice screws?

Is it because the primary line would then form an angle?

Richard

The line from the reel would be rubbing against the ice sheet. Could cause it to break.

[rjack]

Good point.

Just seems like the shot line could/would get pulled sideways?

Richard

[eelpout]

Thanks for all the input folks.

We are planning on diving this coming week. We have a group of traditionally ice certified divers with us, so we will let them dive that way. We (3 of us) are cave certified and we will try our techniques under the ice. As mentioned, it shouldn't be too difficult to do. We will run an 3/8 inch orange saftey line from the hole to the bottom, we wioll anchor it to a dive platfor (which we use for training). From there we will run a reel and dive as a team of three.
It should be fun.

Merry Christmas too all! and a Happy New Year!!

Jim

[Clare Gledhill]

Dive Safe

We want photos :D