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> The original question was how to ice dive DIR.  Although what you describe
>  is safe, and often used, I'm doubtful that it's DIR.  I wish that someone
>  who is DIR would step in and clear this up.


Just why do some think that there is already a DIR process for every type of 
diving or situation?

DIR is evolving and finding its own way through a process of trial and error. 
DIR was developed for deep/long cave diving and has been brought, evolved, 
into the wreck diving environment. Now the question is "How do you DIR dive 
under ice?" My answer is No one knows- Yet, but by application of DIR 
principals a DIR approach may be developed.

This goes along with the "what is the DIR color for gear?" that discussion 
was painful, and this one is getting there. Now if you want to discuss the 
fine points of ice diving and how some/all of the DIR process can be applied, 
lets go.

Here are some differences:

- Ice diving is almost always not in the dark so you do not need a light.
- Ice diving almost never involves DECO
- Because there is little to no possibility of DECO are doubles necessary?
- If the line is lost you rise to the underside of the ice so that a buddy or 
rescue diver can do a circular search around the hole and find you. How does 
this differ from cave drills?
- Ice diving requires a knowledge of ice. Do you know the thickness of the 
ice? At the site? On the way to the site? Can you drive a car with the gear 
to the site? If not, how are you going to get to the site? 
- Are you prepared for the hypothermia of the after dive portion? Do you have 
a heated tent for changing? Ever try to get out of a neoprene dry suit after 
the water on its surface has frozen?

And Why are you ice diving anyway?

I Recover 2 or more snowmobiles every winter/spring (The Massachusetts State 
Environmental Department has a policy of fining owners for every DAY one is 
under the water), I only ice dive for money. Now do you want to know how to 
raise a snowmobile onto the ice a 1/2 mile from shore? I know there is no DIR 
process for that.

Pete Johnson
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