Ice Diving in Minnesota

This is a fun video by Margo Cavis - made for the 2009 Ice Divers from Scuba Center, in Minnesota. The diving takes place at Square Lake and has become quite a popular weekend, making it necessary to cut 2 dive holes!

Filmed by Margo Cavis, Steel K-C and Russell Cattelan. Edited by Margo Cavis.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• ice diving
• scuba
• diver
• dive
• ice
• frozen
• underwater
• square lake
• minnesota
• underwater photo
• swimming
• Scuba diving
• Swimming (sport)

[mattn747]

Great Vid! What is it like to go ice diving?!

[margocavis]

It's really cool - as long as your drysuit doesn't leak!!! The air bubbles on the bottom of the ice are the coolest thing.

[digitalelves]

The dives are only 20-30min. The ice is usually around 20 inches thick. It does not re-freeze while we are down. Everyone is attached to a line with a line tender (who will pull everyone up if there is an emergency signal). We also shovel the snow off the ice in long lines - all pointing to the hole - so, there is light pointing to the hole. After we are done diving - we put the big blocks of ice back in the hole (w/ branches poking out so no one drives their car on it) Then the hole freezes.

[tuttoz]

@DrTranofEvil

true ... its something im looking forward to... and yeah , ill make sure theres someoone to be punching the ice every minute haha

[DrTranofEvil]

@tuttoz That is why I'm taking the certification class and I hear its a really good idea to have someone around on the surface just in case (someone to make sure the hole doesn't seal). I like to make sure my risks are well-calculated!

[DrTranofEvil]

I've been down in 44 degree water (was pretty cold), so its good to know that 38 isn't THAT far off; so I guess I might have to give it a shot! I'm waiting for the lake to get solid (its been below zero, so should happen in the near future (want to do the PADI Ice Diver cert).

[WatchRyder]

Minnesota machoing it up :D

[tuttoz]

@Dante31

right , can u imagine the frustration someone would go tru if the hole did close, i mean you would be just floating there , knowing salvations is a few inches above, yet you cant get it .... that would suck ... but i bet its fun as hell , im doing it some day ... life is to short to not take a risk or two .

[Dante31]

@tuttoz This is one of those cases where it is better safe than sorry. :)

[tuttoz]

@Dante31 i know , i was actually going to type an actual answear but i had to leave .... yeah i have no clue , i just know the hole might close up if they arnt carefull ..