Ice Diving Operations

OBJECTIVE

Dive Rescue International’s Ice Diving Operations training readies agency personnel for cold water diving with overhead obstructions. Participants will be able to plan and execute an emergency ice diving operation; select, evaluate, and perform field maintenance on ice diving equipment; and dive safely under ice in order to complete a rescue/recovery mission. These training objectives are transferable to incidents as independent skills.

MAIN TOPICS

• Dry Suit Selection
• Full Face Mask Selection and Use
• Specialized Equipment
• Communication Needs
• Surface-Supplied Air Systems
• Ice Diving Protocols
• Rescue vs. Recovery Mode
• Risk/Benefit Factors
• Boat vs. Ice-Based Operations
• Emergency Procedures
• Equipment Field Maintenance
• Tethered Diving Techniques

PREREQUISITES

• At least 18 years of age
• Member of a Public Safety Agency
• RSTC Medical Statement
• Open Water Certification
• Dive Rescue 1 Certification
• Proof of Dry Suit Diving certificate, if applicable
• Physically fit (13 MET or greater recommended)

BRING TO CLASS

All students will need:

• U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
• A knife
• A whistle
• Adequate clothing for working outside
• Pen and paper for taking notes and sketching

Diving students must provide their own equipment:

• Wetsuit or Drysuit
• Scuba regulator- recently serviced and environmentally protected with alternate air source (i.e.: Octopus, Air II, ect.)
• Timing device
• Depth and submersible pressure gauge
• BC with oral/power inflator
• Two tanks with current Hydro & VIP
• Full Face Mask & Fins
• Weight belt
• Two cutting tools (knife, wire cutters, or trauma shears)