Ice diving always looked like fun, and when the opertunity to try it came along I couldn't resist. The course I took is being created specially for BSAC and is in the "development" stage. On the first morning we covered theory and practised the knots and roped diver techniques we would be using on dry land. This was followed by a few quick dips in Taucherhof's lake, which we shared with two sturgen and a rather sleepy pike!

Taucherhof is an excellent venue for such a course, with a large, warm drying room and a hot tub for post dive relaxation (ensuring, of course, lots of defizzing time between the two to avoid DCI!). We were treated to a "hot stones" dinner: perfect to refuel after a cold day's diving.

Day 2 took place at a lake in Austria famed for it's excellent visibility and ice. After clearing a parking space for the busses and trailers, we kitted up and began cutting our holes through 20cm of ice. The "plugs" created during this process are stored under the surface for later replacement. Unsuprisingly, diving in -20C is not easy. We had to ensure regs were not breathed until in the water, and that everyone had a redundant first stage. A second key concept was that of the lifeline - a rope connecting all divers to the surface, along which signals could be passed.

Although I had expected the temperature, I hadn't expected the vis. It was quite possible to see from the hole to the edge of the lake, 50 or 60 metres away. I have never seen visibility like this before -- not in a swimming pool, not in the red sea, not ever. It was incredible.

After three dives taking on all the various roles, we were pretty frozen. It's amazing how tired being out and about in those temperatures can make you -- all the more important to follow the techniques to the letter and avoid problems.

All in all, a great weekend: Many thanks to Iain, David, Richard and Caroline and all at Taucherhof for all their efforts.

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