Ice Diving

[Mark Harding]

I have no interest in doing it, but having just sat the AI Theory exam there was a question on suitable holes for Ice Diving. I have read several books with conflicting views on size, shape and divers entering together. Anyone offer some idea.
Thanks confused of Basingstoke !!

[Steve Dunkerley]

8' x 4' is the preferred size used by the British Antarctic Survey. Accomodates 2 divers and can be covered with plywood sheet to prevent re freezing when the site is to be re visited.

Regards

Steve

[Iain Aitchison]

I have no interest in doing it, but having just sat the AI Theory exam there was a question on suitable holes for Ice Diving. I have read several books with conflicting views on size, shape and divers entering together. Anyone offer some idea.
Thanks confused of Basingstoke !!

Hi,

I wrote the notes which have just led to the BSAC Ice Diving SDC, the pilot of which was held in Germany/Austria in Feb 2004. I would recommend a triangular hole large enough for 2 minimum better 3 divers to get in and out of at the same time.
Methods for cutting and closing the hole are covered and practised in the SDC, as are the safety measures for doing these types of dives safely. We had ca. 20-25 cm of ice. Join us next year and you can try it all out on some real ice.

Iain Aitchison
BSAC Advanced Instructor