All you need to know about ice diving

When the temperatures drop and the first snowflakes fall, many people immediately escape to faraway paradises to soak up the sun and swim in the warm sea. Here, however, we're going to tell you about exactly the opposite: ice diving! Discover the crystal-clear waters of mountain lakes and let yourself be fascinated by the wonders of the ice and the play of light from the sun's rays shining through the ice. If you want to know all about ice diving, you've come to the right place! This activity is without doubt the most original form of diving there is. And contrary to what you might think, you don't need to be insensitive to the cold or an experienced diver to take part. Ice diving is accessible to everyone, whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver. In all cases, professional supervision and the right equipment are required. Get ready for an unforgettable experience, in complete safety and (almost) in the warmth.

What is ice diving?

Ice diving is a very unique form of diving where the diver, as the name of the sport suggests, dives under the ice in winter. The only point of entry and exit is a hole in the ice. This immersion in cold water requires not only special equipment but also careful preparation. Professional guidance from a qualified instructor is essential.

First of all, why go ice diving? Quite simply for the thrill of an unforgettable experience! And when we talk about thrills, we're not talking about the temperature, but above all because it's a unique and unusual winter activity.

Who can go ice diving?

Ice diving is practised for several reasons: for scientific research, for example to study underwater life in the Arctic; for public safety, such as rescue operations; or for leisure. In this article, we talk about the last of these.

Ice diving for experienced divers

For experienced divers, ice diving is a must-do activity at least once in your life. It is important to be well supervised by professionals, as this type of diving differs greatly from normal scuba diving.

Specific training is required to teach divers how ice forms, how to recognise dangerous situations, the specific equipment needed, special safety exercises and protocols, as well as dive entry and exit techniques. PADI organises specific "Ice Diver" courses. These courses are open to adult divers who already hold PADI Level 2 (Advanced) certification.

Ice diving for beginners

But you don't need to have hundreds of dives in your logbook to experience the joys of ice diving. Beginners can also try ice diving and enjoy an extraordinary winter experience, during a special baptism!

The only conditions are that you must be in good health and over the minimum age (the minimum age depends on the provider, but is often 16). Several providers in France offer introductory and discovery sessions, although there are not many of them. Ice diving centres are usually located in or near ski resorts, so diving is often done in mountain lakes rather than in open environments, for reasons of practicality, accessibility and safety. During an ice diving experience, professional instructors are at your side from start to finish, providing you with the necessary equipment and ensuring that your dive goes off safely. And it's not unusual for your first ice dive to be the start of a more general passion for diving! We'll have warned you!

The specific risks of scuba diving

Ice diving presents risks that are quite different from those associated with 'conventional' diving. Apart from hypothermia (if you are not wearing a dry suit), the main risks are disorientation/loss of bearings (not being able to find the hole to get out of the water) and failure of the regulator, which can freeze if it is not specifically designed for very cold water.

Fortunately, these risks have been clearly identified. And with the use of a dry suit, the compulsory installation of a lifeline (to find your way back to the hole in the ice), and the use of a suitable regulator, you can now dive in complete safety.

Nevertheless, this activity, especially for beginners, absolutely must be supervised by professionals. Not just anyone can become an ice diver!

How an ice diving experience works

As you can see, ice diving can't be improvised! But with professional supervision, you can enjoy this extraordinary experience in complete safety. Here's how a first ice diving session works.

Preparation

An ice diving experience often takes place in a mountain lake during the winter months. You may witness the cutting of the ice before receiving a briefing explaining how the session will work. You are then fitted with a 100% waterproof suit (with boots, bonnet and gloves). These suits are so waterproof that they allow you to wear conventional clothing underneath, such as fleece or other thermal layers.

Of course, you'll also be provided with a tank and regulator set, as well as a mask, fins and gloves. The regulators are specially adapted for diving in cold waters, to avoid the risk of icing (the air cools when it expands under pressure), with heat exchangers on the regulator. A surface assistant will be on hand to help you get properly equipped. Ice diving is a real team activity, because when you dive in the water, several assistants must be present out of the water.

Immersion under the ice

Once you've been kitted out and briefed, you're ready to dive under the ice. The instructor will be at your side throughout. Each diver is equipped with a lifeline that delimits the accessible zone to prevent you from getting lost or trapped. A surface assistant makes sure that it stays taut throughout the session to prevent the diver getting tangled up in the lifeline, or it getting stuck on the bottom of the lake. The only thing left for you to do is to let yourself be amazed by the spectacle of the ice, the light underwater and your air bubbles rising and getting stuck below the surface! With all this beauty, you'll soon forget that the water around you is only 3 or 4 degrees. The time underwater normally corresponds to around fifteen minutes for a first ice dive.

Debriefing

At the end of your diving experience, an assistant will help you get out and un-equip. Warm up with a hot drink and share your experience with your instructor. And if your first dive made you want to do it again, why not try a night ice dive next time?

The best spots

Where there's ice, there's ice diving! But there are places on earth that are particularly beautiful to discover from the water, under a thick layer of ice. Even if these destinations aren't always suitable for a first ice dive, here are some of our favourites!

Antarctica

Covered in ice, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is predestined for ice diving. In a magnificent and wild setting, divers have the opportunity to see animals that are rarely found elsewhere, such as leopard seals, penguins and whales. Although Antarctica is very beautiful, it is not the ideal spot for a first ice dive, as the sites are not very accessible and diving there often requires the organisation of real expeditions.

Crédit Photo : Laurent Ballesta

Lake Baikal, Russia

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Lake Baikal is located in southern Siberia. It's a lake of superlatives: the oldest, largest (freshwater), clearest and deepest in the world. An epic place for ice diving!

But diving here requires preparation and the right equipment. The ice here can be up to two metres thick. But once under the water beneath this thick layer of ice, the effort pays off. A superb and unique underwater world awaits divers. Perhaps they will come across one of only three species of freshwater seal on earth, the Siberian seal...

Crédit Photo : US Navy par Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jeff Atherton / Released

Tobermory, Lake Huron, Canada

The crystal-clear waters and large size of the lake are not the only reason behind the popularity of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. The presence in the lake of the small Fathom Five National Marine Park at the tip of the Tobermory peninsula, which hides many treasures, has also helped to make the lake famous. As well as ancient rock formations and green forests growing out of the cliffs, this site is home to some twenty historic shipwrecks that are a delight for divers. In winter, Lake Huron is covered in ice, which makes discovering the wrecks even more unusual and adventurous than in summer.

Crédit photo : Jerzy Kowalczuk

Val Cenis, Haute Maurienne

No shipwrecks, seals or 2-metre layers of ice, but an unusual experience guaranteed for beginners! We're talking about Val Cenis in the Vanoise National Park. Instead of an afternoon of skiing or snowshoeing, why not try your hand at ice diving? From December to April you can explore the watery world of a magnificent mountain lake. Accompanied by an instructor and several assistants, you'll spend around 15 minutes discovering the life hidden beneath the ice. And if you can't give up an afternoon of skiing, we've got the solution for you: Go ice diving at night!

Now you know everything you need to know before taking the plunge into the cold water. Discover our ice diving spots for beginners and get ready for your unusual adventure.