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Sources - The Journal of Underwater Education International publication of the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) |
Ice Diving and the Divemaster
by David J. Hanson, NAUI #5907L
Probably the most commonly asked question concerning ice diving is, "why". In the Midwest, Canada and other regions of the world where diving is considered seasonal, there are three basic reasons why a diver will go ice diving. Perhaps the first is water clarity. The water under the ice is the clearest on any time during the year. A second reason that divers will go under the ice is, simply, that the only place to dive in the winter in these northern regions. Finally, ice diving does have a distinct thrill and romance about it.
However, ice diving makes exceptional demands on a diver, physically and psychologically. It is an advanced discipline that requires intensive training in specialized techniques. The safety of all involved depends on thorough organization, personnel with mature judgment, and careful execution of the dive plan.
It is necessary to plan for the known conditions and to be prepared for emergencies. Each member of the group, whether diver or support person, must execute all assigned procedures calmly and effectively, as lives may depend on it.
Competition has no place in ice diving. A group of ice divers must act as a team to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for all participating. This teamwork involves some sacrifice. For example, on a given day not all those participating will have the opportunity to dive, as their responsibilities will be such that they will either be too busy, cold, or tired to do so.
Let us now discuss the organization and responsibilities of each member of the dive team, which herein, I break into five categories:
Preparation is the key to a successful ice diving operation. During preparation , the divemaster must carefully evaluate, organize and manage six aspects:
Environmental conditions - such as surface temperature, wind speed, ice thickness, underwater visibility - all must be evaluated prior to and on the day of the dive. Diver safety and the well-being of surface personnel is influenced greatly by environmental conditions. Weather conditions may be such that it is not feasible to dive. If the wind chill factor is -10 F or below, dives for sport should be aborted.
Advance knowledge of ice thickness will help in determining the method for cutting the hole and the amount of time and personnel to allocate for this purpose. Visibility and bottom conditions will determine if the objectives of the dive can realistically be accomplished.
Equipment is also the responsibility of the divemaster, who must either provide it or inspect and approve it for use. All necessary equipment must be available and in good working order. The divemaster must also thoroughly inspect all individual diving gear to be used and must have the authority to reject any deemed unsafe.
During personnel selection and assignment of duties, the divemaster must determine the physical and psychological condition of each member of the team. He will determine who will dive, approve buddy teams, assign safety divers, tenders, and various support duties.
Safety precautions and procedures are the responsibility of everyone involved but are organized and directed by the divemaster, who must evaluate each aspect of the operation and be prepared to abort the operation if all pre-established criteria are not met. He must be prepared for any emergency and have pre-determined procedures established, including a list of potential problems with their respective solutions.
The divemaster formally assigns responsibilities to all personnel by means of thorough briefing, or in some instances, training, prior to the operation. All team members should be given a list of equipment to provide or have available during the operation. Upon completion of the operation, they should be thoroughly debriefed - this can be as much a learning experience as the operation itself. During the debriefing, the divemaster should critique positive and negative accomplishments, affording each member of the team the opportunity to add input; the critique should be a two way discussion.
DIVER AIDS
Diver aids or support personnel are responsible for such tasks as time-keeping, helping divers dress in and out, handling equipment, erecting and maintaining the shore and ice shelters, and cutting the hole. Not every task need to be done by a certified diver. Those that do not, afford an excellent way to involve novices with too little experience or training to participate as divers.
The shore shelter is the first thing to be established. It will serve as the primary staging area for the entire operation and will be used for warming by everyone participating. The second step is to locate and cut the hole(s). By having support personnel do this, divers can be kept warm and rested until the actual dive. Location of the hole will be determined by the divemaster, while shape of the hole is usually left to the discretion of the divers who will use it. [Note: a triangular hole is strongly recommended by other authorities. Ed.].
Personnel selected to cut the hole should have prior experience and instruction in the proper use of the tools they will be using. They also should be dressed in waterproof outer clothing to protect them from splashing water as they cut the hole. Next comes the establishment of the ice shelter near the hole that will be used for the final staging area for divers and warming station for tenders and safety divers between dives.
The area around the hole should suit the needs of the tender and safety diver, which may include spreading sand for better traction and the use of pallets or styrofoam sheets to allow personnel to be off the ice, etc.
The rest of the team equipment can be brought to the hole: lines, metal stake, sledgehammer, first aid kit, oxygen, blankets, hot drink, warm water, and snow shovel. If there is snow cover, paths may be dug forming "spokes" radiating out from the hole connected by circular paths at about 20Õ intervals. These will serve as markers and allow more light transfer through the ice.
TENDERS
Tenders are assigned one per line and are qualified to independently tend divers via the safety line. They must wear warm clothing and waterproof boots and gloves, as they will be working close to the hole and handling the wet lines. Most tenders prefer to wear crampons on their boots to provide additional traction on the ice. It is essential that the tenders and divers know how to communicate via the safety line using line signals arranged by the dive master before the dive.
The tenders must see that the divers receive proper care topside and underwater. The tender makes the equipment check before allowing the divers in the water, and maintains communication via the safety line while the divers are down. The line must not be kept too taut or allow to go completely slack. If at any point during the dive the tender loses the ability to communicate with the divers, he or she notifies the dive master and prepares the safety diver to enter the water. The tender may also serve as the time-keeper who will maintain accurate records of diving times.
SAFETY DIVERS
Safety divers are highly qualified ice divers with personality characteristics that allow them to function calmly under the extreme pressures of an emergency. They are required to be completely suited up and prepared to enter the water on short notice. Some people recommend that the safety divers be completely geared up; while others feel the tank, mask, and fins may be kept nearby and donned only if necessary. In either case, it is important that safety divers be pampered and kept warm and comfortable at all times - this investment will reap benefits if it is necessary that they go in. Even if not, a safety diver who is treated well will not hesitate to volunteer for another operation.
Safety divers must understand that they will receive final instruction as to the direction to swim prior to entering the water. Once in, a safety diver will continue to swim in the ordered direction close to the surface until the tender discontinues the line. At that point, the safety diver will swim clockwise around the hole, continually observing down and around, until the diver is located. The tender will continue to direct the search by signals on the line and by taking up line. As lost divers are located, they may be attached to the line and returned to the hole. Self-control and discipline are the keys to being an effective safety diver.
DIVERS
The divers for whom all the preparation has been done should be familiar with the specialized equipment that will be used , and aware of the malfunctions which may result from exposure to extreme cold. They must understand the physiological implications of cold stress and the first aid for those injuries characteristic to operating in sub-freezing environments. Above all, each individual must know their personal limits.
Probably the best way to prepare and train for ice diving is to work in each one of the support personnel capacities prior to making your first ice dive. In this way, you will have a complete understanding and appreciation for the total operation and also the organization of responsibility.
The author is a NAUI Lifetime Member, a NAUI Instructor Trainer, and ITC Director. He served as assistant chapter leader in Chicago and is a 1992 recipient of a NAUI Outstanding Service Award. He began ice diving in 1976 and is certified as a NAUI Ice Diving Instructor.
Sources - January/February 1995 copyright 1996 NAUI. All rights reserved.
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