Ice Diving

[SmithDiving]

This is a timely post, and not just because of the temperature outside. As of January 1st, 2005, NAUI standards have changed to re-classify Ice Diver Certification as a technical certification. All NAUI Technical certifications have very specific standards regarding equipment, planning and performance of skills. The Ice cert. now requires NTEC configuration and 3 dives minimum for certification. The standards also specify a maximum of 2 open-water dives per day, so the certification can be completed in 2 days. Smith Diving standards require 4 ice dives and 4 dives tending for certification and limit ice students to a maximum of 1 ice dive per day, so 2 weekends are required to complete all the dives.

Our Ice class is unfortunately full for this season, but we are out diving pretty much every weekend and are happy to have any certified ice diver join us. We do not charge anything for these opportunities, but you need to be willing to help out with set-up and tear-down. The only special requirement we have for diving with us is the use of a pony (or other redundant) scuba system. We have been out to Square and White Bear so far and plan to dive Minnetonka next weekend. We have had between 15-18 divers out each day so far this season. Give us a call on any Wednesday and we'll have info on dive locations for that weekend. 763-574-1280.

[scubafreak]

Dirk writes:

"Going out to the lakes when its so cold in the air for the second day shouldn't be necessary."

I found it quite amusing that Dirk would like to complete his Ice Diving in 1 days because it is "so cold". Wake up Dirk, you are talking about Ice Diving, it is suppose to be cold.

The PADI Instructor can only bring 2 divers with him "under the ice" at a time. So lets say you have 6 students. PADI requires 3 dives for the Speciality. This is a total of 9 Ice Dives for the instructor, 6 the first day and 3 the next.

I don't know if you have spent any time under the ice, but after doing 6 dives under the ice, don't you think that a person might be just a "little cold"? Not to mention that the instructor is probably waiting in the water while the next pair of students are getting harnessed.

Are you wanting to Ice Dive just for the C-Card or do you really wanting to ice dive?