Diving in cold, icy environments is unique; if you head to the Arctic Circle or Antarctica, you’ll experience the chilly -2-1 °C water firsthand. In rare cold-water ecosystems, you’ll find stately ice formations and impressive marine mammals such as polar bears, walrus, narwhals, and beluga whales, not to mention loads of smaller creatures like penguins and brightly colored invertebrates. The cold temperatures you will encounter in the world’s iciest waters are a very small price to pay for the opportunity to witness such exceptional sights, and having the right gear is essential for survival.
Physical, Psychological, and Equipment Factors: Human Cold Tolerance Explained
There are three main factors that affect a person’s ability to tolerate the frigid temperatures encountered while ice diving, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic.
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Physiological factors: Your body size, shape, and circulation greatly affect your ability to tolerate cold. In general, females and very slender people suffer from cold more than most males and larger people do.
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Psychological factors: Your expectations and perceptions shape your experience to a large extent. Being prepared and fostering confidence are two keys to enjoying ice diving; being thoroughly trained and having appropriate topside support are vital to encouraging the right mindset.
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Equipment factors: No matter what your size or ability, you’ll feel more comfortable when you are properly equipped and appropriately insulated.
Equipment for Ice Diving
With the right kind of equipment, ice diving is a thrilling yet comfortable experience. Staying dry is paramount to your success, and a great ice dive starts with the right drysuit, as well as in appropriate layers of thermal insulation worn underneath. A wicking base layer and one or two thicker thermal layers are necessities in the coldest environments, and warm socks are a must-have.
Dry gloves are just as important as drysuits; without them, you would rapidly lose your ability to control your hands to adjust gear, grasp a line, or help a dive buddy. Dry gloves prevent the loss of dexterity that can occur in cold water, and they keep you comfortable. Some divers prefer thick wetsuit gloves to dry gloves. If you are one of them, choose a pair at least 7mm thick.
Cold water regulators are environmentally sealed to reduce the risk of freezing and subsequent free flow. Not only do you need to use a primary regulator, you need to carry a backup. In addition, you will need to understand what happens when a free flow occurs, and you need to know how to handle the situation with cool confidence in the event it happens while you’re underneath the ice.
Finally, a secondary air supply is vital. If your regulator happens to go into free flow, you’ll lose the air in your primary tank rapidly. A secondary air supply will allow you to make a safe ascent and return to the surface. Practice switching to your secondary air supply before your ice diving excursion