Ice Diving Course Syllabus

Student Comments

"Crawling and sliding on your tummy is a good way to cross the weakened ice near the edge and we played at it. I'm not sure whose idea it was but Richard and Thomas started to gather people around and jump up and down. "

" I was a bit apprehensive at times but the course material is well thought through and I didn't need to know anything I didn't know. "

Nigel Hewitt

read Nigel's full report.

AIM

To teach suitably qualified BSAC sports divers and above, the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to safely dive under ice in static, non-tidal water conditions.
To teach the role of diver tender.
To teach the role of rescue diver.
To teach the safe planning and marshalling of such ice dives.

DURATION

Two Days. See Note 1.

ENTRY GRADE

BSAC Sports Diver + 20 dives, or equivalent qualification from another agency, with experience of cold water diving. See Note 2.
Current member of the BSAC.
Self Declaration of Fitness to dive.

APPROVAL

Standard BSAC Skill Development Course registration procedures apply.

INSTRUCTORS

Chief Instructor to be a BSAC Open Water Instructor who is also a BSAC Approved Ice Diving Instructor. All other Instructors are to be minimum Open Water Instructors with course approval. The number of assistant Ice Diving Instructors is not to exceed the number of approved Ice Diving Instructors
Ratio

One instructor for every twelve students in the classroom
One instructor for every four students for dry practical.
For wet practical, two instructors are required for each ice diving group. One instructor is to be present above water throughout. In water, one instructor for maximum of two students.

FACILITIES
Adequate classroom with teaching aids for theory lessons. Area of suitable size is required for the dry practical session, preferably in a sheltered environment.

For open water, an area of non tidal non flowing water is essential. Dive 1 requires an area of clear surface open water. Subsequent dives require a location with ice cover i.e. no clear surface.

An Ice Diving student notes pack must be supplied to each student.

QUALIFICATION
Each part of the course concludes with an assessment, those who pass both these assessments will receive the BSAC Ice Diving Certificate, and qualification record book certificate.

SYLLABUS
Day 1
Instructor briefing
Assemble, Introductions, Administration

1 Theory Lesson –Introduction to Ice Diving- 10 minutes

Aims
Objective

Course Outline

2 Theory Lesson - Features of ice Diving - 20 minutes

What is ice Diving
Why Ice Dive?
When and where to Ice Dive?
Ice thickness
Ice safety

3 Theory Lesson – Effects of Cold - 20 minutes

Frost bite
Hypothermia
Increased risk of DCI
Psychological Effects
Reducing the risks

Break
4 Theory Lesson –Ice Diving Equipment -40 minutes

Thermal protection required to go ice diving
Equipment configuration
Essential equipment required to go ice diving
Additional equipment used in ice diving
Usage of the equipment required for ice diving

5 Theory Lesson – Ice Diving Planning and Team Roles -30 minutes

Additional planning and preparation required to go ice diving.
Procedures in the setting up of an ice diving site.
The role of dive tender.
The role of standby diver.
Types of safety procedures.

6 Theory Lesson – Roped Diving Procedures and Rescue Techniques –30 minutes

Techniques and procedures of diving under the ice.
Safety factors common to all rescues in ice diving.
Different types of rescue in ice diving.
Basic first aid requirements.

Break

Dry practical – 60 minutes

Open Water Practical- 180 minutes

Theory Assessment- 30 minutes

Day 2

Instructor briefing

Dive 2

Dive 3

8 Dive Debrief

9 Classroom - Course Debrief and Open Forum

NOTES

The course may be run over a series of sessions to suit local circumstances, however all theory must be covered before practical experience is gained.
Divers should have experience of at least temperate water diving, requiring the use of not only a suit but also gloves and hood for thermal insulation.

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Page last modified: 20th Mar 2007 - 21:27:04