Sorin's Scuba Diving AdventuresScuba Diving experiences

22/01/2025 Ice diver certification

I finally was able to do the Ice Diver certification with Jörg from ScubaDo. I had an attempt to do this a few years ago http://diving.sorinmustaca.com/2017/01/30/icediving-in-pfullendorf/- We’ve had a theoretical course, a short exam and then the next day we went diving. Interesting fact: We made an exercise for simulating an emergency pull from under the ice. Well, that didn’t go exactly like planned for me. I was connected with my buddy and with the guide from the surface using a rope strapped on the BCD. When doing the exercise, you get brutally pulled from the ice to get out as fast as possible. Two or three divers pull the rope with the divers attached to it. In my case, the strap where the rope was attached simply broke – it got removed from the BCD. So, I remained under ice without rope, without buddy. Most important part here is: do not panic!   How did I get out?  I used my navigation skills and went after by buddy and reached the hole in the ice, which was at the shore.   What was the problem ? I am heavy and I had 14Kg weight additionally. So, to perform such a pull requires a bit of preparation. I was not prepared, because my buddy decided to signal the surface team earlier than planned to pull us out. So, the force of the pull damaged my BCD and removed the strap. 🙁   What is to learn? Plan the dive and Continue Reading →