Pepa: When did you start diving, when did you complete your first ice dive, and what motivated you to try it?

Petr: I started diving in September 2009, and my first logged ice dive, as part of the Ice Diver specialty, was in January 2011. Generally, I was motivated to dive because of caves, which I visited regularly. On many expeditions, a previously dry cave passage would flood, and the only way to continue exploring was to learn to dive. Ice diving felt like a logical progression since it also involves an overhead environment with specific rules. However, I became so captivated by it that ice diving turned into one of my favorite specialties.

Pepa: Why does this specialty captivate you so much?

Petr: The main reason is psychological. Beneath the ice, you experience a complete disconnect from everyday stress—it's like escaping, even just for a moment, from this fast-paced world. I perceive the environment under the ice very differently than open-water diving. Winter conditions also provide excellent visibility, which is rare in the summer, so even familiar dive sites take on a new dimension. Another fascinating element is the ice itself. When the sun shines, its rays filter through the ice, creating stunning, photogenic effects.

Pepa: That sounds amazing, especially for those considering whether to try ice diving. What does it take for someone to explore under the ice?

Petr: Basically, it’s simple. All you need is a good axe or a chainsaw, ideally with environmentally friendly oil. 🙂

Pepa: That’s definitely a good start, but as a graduate of the Ice Diver course, I know that’s not enough. Could you explain to the readers what is required to fully earn this specialization?

Petr: To join the course, you need at least an AOWD certification and to be 18 years old. The course begins with a theoretical lecture, covering dive planning, organization, movement techniques, risks, problem-solving, site selection, securing ice entry points, specialized equipment, tethering methods, signals, the effects of cold on human physiology, and other aspects. The approach here is significantly different from open-water diving.

The course is very intensive, and students learn a lot. The practical part includes at least three dives under the ice. This course is also great for those considering cave diving in the future, as it teaches many skills that are invaluable in cave environments.

Pepa: Can you outline what an ideal model ice dive looks like?

Petr: Of course. First, a hole is made in the ice, typically in a triangular shape. As I’ve mentioned, this is usually done using an axe or a chainsaw. If there’s snow on top of sufficiently thick ice that allows walking, it’s recommended to mark the surface for easier navigation underwater.

Divers typically wear drysuits with quality undersuits, sometimes with heating systems, and use gear equipped with at least a dual outlet valve. Regulators should be sealed to prevent freezing in low temperatures. In extreme cold, it’s common to travel to the site already wearing the undersuit, and gear functionality is checked only in the water to avoid freezing and triggering a freeflow.

Ice diving isn’t about great depths. It’s beneficial to know the site from open-water diving conditions. Planning follows the rule of thirds for gas management: one-third for the dive in, one-third for the return, and one-third as a reserve. Divers are secured underwater with a tether controlled by a surface safety diver, who uses prearranged signals. Alternatively, a guideline known from cave diving can be used, and I also familiarize students with this method.

In Central Europe, the best months for ice diving are January and early February. That’s just a brief overview because this subject is very extensive.

Pepa: I think that’s enough for readers to get a good idea. How can interested divers sign up for the course?

Petr: I’m happy to guide anyone through all these steps as long as they meet the entry requirements. I’ve even trained a reliable Ice Diver from Greece. 🙂 Those interested can visit the >>course page<< where all registration details are available. The course is structured individually, with a maximum of two participants per group. We usually run the course in Czech quarries, wherever the best conditions are at the time.

I conduct the training in collaboration with the Brno-based PADI 5-star center ALBE, which is excellently equipped for these dives – from classrooms to rentals of drysuits and freeze-resistant regulators. ALBE holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first dive center where I started as an instructor.

Pepa: Petr, thanks for the conversation, and see you again soon.

Petr: Thanks, Pepa, for bringing up this fantastic and relevant topic for the first "Scuba Chatter," and see you soon under the ice!