The Frozen Beaufort Sea: Part 3

Training for diving in the arctic focuses on emergency preparedness. Here failures can come in many forms.

This entry will focus on frozen regulators or running out of air.

Frozen Regulators issues usually come in two forms.

1. A regulator frozen open and free flowing. With no direct route to the surface (and air) this can spell disaster if you don’t know how to handle this emergency.

2. A frozen closed regulator which gives you no air. Again with no direct route to the surface (and air) this can spell disaster if you don’t know how to handle this emergency.  There are other reasons a diver may not have sufficient air and the emergency procedures for dealing with these are the same as with a frozen regulator.

Arctic divers utilizing full face masks usually have two backup methods of solving this issue unassisted. The first is a redundant air source that is controlled through a Manifold or gas switching Block. Both the primary and secondary air supplies are connected to this block and from this block run one hose to the mask itself. In the event of a first stage failure this device is simply switched over and air will flow from the redundant air tank to the mask.

If the issue resides in the regulator or mask itself then the procedure to deal with it becomes more difficult. This is when we implement a procedure commonly referred to as a “Bail Out. ” A Bail out is where a diver must remove their full face mask underwater and replace it with what is customarily called an “octopus” regulator and a more conventional scuba mask. An “octopus regulator” is simply a conventional regulator that is held in reserve in case of emergency.

The difficulties in performing this maneuver can be many. First, by the time a diver recognizes that they need to perform this maneuver they have already been without air for the period of time in which it took to try the manifold switching maneuver. Air is now becoming very necessary. Second, the water is below freezing in temperature and a diver’s face is several degrees above. When the mask is removed Ice cold water floods the mask. Water often bubbles up inside the nostrils making it hard to breathe after you get the octopus regulator in your mouth.

3. With your face beginning to freeze, your eyes (most likely) closed and in crucial need of air you have to find and deploy the octopus.

4. Seal your now freezing lips to the regulator and breathe. You will most likely take several breaths before taking the time to find your mask. Putting it on your face and clearing it so you can once again see.

If this all comes together successfully it is now time to end the dive and exit the water. If not then you may have to rely on your buddy to supply you with the necessary air and support to get you out of the water in time.

Keep in mind the other issues that may be facing you.

1. The distance between you and the ice hole.
2. Your buoyancy while performing this entire procedure.
3. Decompression or necessary safety stops.
4. Amount of air in the redundant tank.
5. Personal stress related both air consumption as well as every other issue.

Cold Water Diving Equipment

Not all diving takes place in perfect tropical warm waters. In fact, the majority of the world’s waters are cold, hostile environments, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t dive there. Cold water diving is an adventure. It makes you more alert, attentive, and aware of your equipment and environment. When you jump into a cold water environment for the first time you will get a rush of adrenaline and you may become hooked on diving in uncrowded, cold waters.

Cold water diving adds many new elements to the art of diving. First you’ll need more gear. Besides the usual BCD, mask, fins, snorkel, regulator, gauges, octopus, compass, computer, and cylinder you will usually need a dry suit, gloves, and a full hood to keep the water from sucking away your body heat. Staying warm underwater is harder than it sounds. Some people rely on thick wetsuits for warmth. A dry suit is another viable option that serves to keep you dry, not warm. It allows you to wear insulating layers against your skin to stay warm. Thermal insulation is key to enjoying yourself in coldwater conditions before, during and after your dive.

You also need to realize that when your body is cold, you make up for being cold by breathing faster. This means your tank of air that usually lasts you 45 minutes in warm water, may only last 20 minutes in cold water. You’ll need to account for this when you plan your dives.

Depending on the temperature of the water you’re diving in you also need to be aware that cold can affect your equipment. Cold sucks the life out of batteries for strobes, lights, and communication equipment. It can freeze your regulator hoses and a free-flow makes them more susceptible to freezing.

Emergencies are much more likely in cold water conditions. If you’re not warm, you’ll breath faster, the cold may affect your equipment and it could be a recipe for disaster. When you dive in cold water you need to take extra precautions and have extra training. Coldwater diving training is easy to find in any coldwater locale. From the Arctic Ocean, the coast of Alaska, or the English Channel - cold water diving is well worth the risks if you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Scientific Diving Equipment

Diving is very equipment intensive and scientific diving can take it to a whole new level. Whenever you are diving you are visiting another world. You have to completely rely on your equipment to survive. It is critical that you understand how your equipment functions. It doesn’t take much to cause an untimely accident.

Scientific divers pack their diving gear bag with all the same things a recreational diver uses. They need a wetsuit or a dry suit depending on the temperature of the water. They have a mask and a snorkel to see underwater. A buoyancy control device (BCD) helps divers maneuver through the water and float on the surface. An air delivery system with both primary and backup regulators allow the diver to breathe underwater. A knife is important in case you get tangled in kelp or snagged on a rope or fishing line. They may have a flashlight to see the true colors of the underwater world. Fins help them move through the water. A computer can calculate their air usage, bottom time, depth, and decompression stops. These are the basics that every diver should have.

Now scientific divers often need more equipment than the average recreational diver. It all depends on what scientific purpose they are pursuing. A diver traveling hundreds of feet deep to study a newly discovered form of algae will need different air mixes of nitrox or trimix. They also may need additional tanks of air to allow them to stay down longer or to account for decompression stops. A scientific diver in polluted water may want a full-face mask to keep pollution off of his skin. If a diver is venturing into caves or wrecks he will want a wreck reel and multiple flashlights. A team exploring coral reefs may want a camera to capture the movements and marine life’s activities.

Some divers may want a recall unit that sends out tonal messages to other team members. Divers that are studying a large area may use a DPV, or diver propulsion vehicle to help them travel faster than their fins can kick. Mapping equipment can help with underwater surveying. Rebreathers can be used to eliminate bubbles if bubbles disturb the environment. Scientists may need bottles, nets, jars or bags to take samples. Pencils and writing boards may be necessary to take notes. Rulers may be crucial to measure things.

Every scientific diving team will need different equipment. The things mentioned here do not cover everything that they may need. It all depends on what the team is studying. Whatever equipment a scientific diving team uses, they need to have training to ensure they know how to use and maintain the equipment in a safe manner.

Welcome Divers

We’re excited to launch ScientificDiving.net. This will be the place you’ll want to shop for the latest and best

equipment for scientific diving professionals. Our website will feature editorial contributions from experts in the fields as well as industry news, videos, photos, and a lot more.

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