For you Florida people that think its "Cold"

[fppf]

WARNING, if you live in a warm climate you may want to put on a parka before viewing this photo's. Just looking at them may make you hypothermic. LOL

Ice diving can be a lot of fun with the correct gear and training. It takes a lot of surface support to do it correctly. It is not for everyone, you need the correct drive and state of mind. Check with your LDS and see if they offer the class and dives.

 

[dawnskaybug]

So what happens if your "above ice support crew" falls in???

 

[fppf]

If you mean the ice breaking, we send out 1 person first with the saw and a line on them to check the thickness. The ice must be at least 6" thick for our shop to dive, book says 4" but they have found that 4" tends to give a little. If a tender falls in there is another tender, 2 safety divers and 2 ops people to pull them out.

 

[dawnskaybug]

I think I saw on the history channel in 2012 I will start doing that
Until then if the water aint warmer than 84 I aint going in

 

[billsreef]

I like my water at least in the low 50's

 

[DizziDezi2]

so what do you see when you dive? ice?


brrrrr......... looks cold.

 

[fppf]

Everything you would see on a normal dive in the area, plus ice.
The fish are on the very bottom and are sluggish from the cold water. The ice has a lot of features, cracks and different types of ice. You can "Moon walk" which is walking on the under side of the ice upside down.

 

[davidhughes85]

take some pics of the fish

 

[fppf]

We did not go to the bottom, just hung out under the ice.
Maybe next year, or I can take some in the spring when it thaws. We do a lot of training dives there.

 

[beaker99]

You have my respect I couldn't do it now. When I was younger and still lived in N.J. I used to go surfing in water temps in the 30's. And back then there no such thing as a dry suit. When that water first fill that neopream wetsuit it was like liquid fire. I assume you are wearing dry suits.

 

[fppf]

Yes my wife and I have dry suits, thats me on the picnic table and my wife is in the underwater shots.

However there where 3 other people there, 2 girls and 1 guy that went in 2 piece 7mm suits.

Don't hang your hat up to soon. With dry suits it is not that bad. One of the instructors is in his 60's and he was in with 2 of the teams.

 

[motlot77]

that's pretty awesome. i would def. love to see pics when you get them.

one thing i've always wanted to do is dive in alaska with all the icebergs. seems like a totally different world.

 

[conchead]

I'd just HAVE to move south, geeeze, florida is really too far north for me,,,

 

[Samala]

Wow, that some serious thrill seeking right there. Taking the polar bear plunge we did up North to an all new level.

>Sarah

 

[fppf]

Na, polar bear plunge all you wear is a bathing suit.
I'm not that nuts!