Polar diving is unlike anything else – it’s one of those pinnacle experiences you will never forget. The availability of well-equipped polar cruises has increased accessibility, giving divers from all walks of life the opportunity to explore completely unique underwater environments. Before you can head to Antarctica or the Arctic though, you’ve got to be prepared. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you begin to prepare for your journey to the planet’s coldest dive sites.
Polar Diving Equipment Considerations
Not only will you need top-quality regulators which are suitable for ice diving, you’ll also need a drysuit, complete with high-quality thermal underwear. Drygloves are another necessity, as is an emergency BCD, which will be used as a backup in the event of drysuit failure.
Physiological Considerations for Polar Diving
Every dive comes with limiting factors and extreme cold is the one that’s most evident in polar diving. Manual dexterity decreases as your body becomes chilled, and if your fingers become too stiff, you will have to abort your dive as you’ll no longer be able to grasp lines or operate gear effectively. This can happen within five to ten minutes if hands are not properly protected, so take extreme care when selecting drygloves. You probably know that your body loses most of its heat through your head, so choose a quality hood arrangement as well.
Dehydration is another limiting factor to consider. Did you know that the polar regions are extreme low-humidity environments just like deserts? This might seem bizzare considering the fact that ice and snow are all around you, however it is vital that you pay very close attention to your hydration level throughout your stay. Not only should you keep hydrated, you need to be aware that your body loses moisture through respiration, particularly when breathing the cold, dry air that comes from your scuba tanks.
Preparing to Encounter Hazards and Emergencies
Just being cognizant of the hazards associated with polar diving can help you stay safe, and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency provides you with an additional layer of safety.
One of the best aspects of polar diving is the excellent visibility. Unfortunately, great visibility contributes to the problem of visual distortion, making objects appear to be much closer than they actually are. Maintain visual contact with your access hole and your down line and keep a mental tally of how far you’ve gone.
Be mentally prepared to abort your dives. If anyone becomes too cold, overly fatigued, or experiences an equipment malfunction of any kind, the dive is going to have to be terminated. Fortunately, polar liveaboard trips are designed to allow for as much diving as is safe and practical, meaning you are likely to have another chance to dive even if operations have to be halted for some reason.
When planning for a polar diving expedition, pay very close attention to requirements set forth by the company handling your travel arrangements. Be sure that you meet all the minimum requirements, have access to the best gear available, and are comfortable in the drysuit you will be wearing during your dives. Being proficient with ice diving gear and techniques is of huge importance – so if you’re not a certified ice diver now and one of these excursions is on your bucket list, give yourself an advantage by gaining proficiency well in advance and maintaining your skills. Ice diving is serious business, but your preparation will pay off when you experience the beauty and wonder that awaits beneath our planet’s polar ice.