Ice Diving

[matt t.]

We ALWAYS dive with competent buddies, but if you are ice diving you should also have a redundant rig. Either doubles or a pony bottle will work. If it's a pony bottle, rig it in a manner that will allow you access to the valve (back mounting is not a good idea). On the regs the IP should be 135 "ish", and the 2nd stage can be reset a little tighter. Another tip is to NOT breath the regs at all until you are in the hole ready to dive. This will keep moisture out of the 2nd stage. If you have a free flow, sometimes you can shut the valve down and the water will thaw the reg out. Layer your underwear with a good quality moisture wicking 1st layer (NOT cotton). We usually get out of our suits during surface intervals if possible (unless the zippers are to iced up to work). By standing in the wind in a "wet" suit you are cooling off (I forget the correct name for this process).