Antarctic Diving 4 - Time to go Down

OK, so you've psyched yourself up to it, you've checked your equipment and your buddy's too, you checked and double checked the line you're tied to and it's time to go beneath the surface.

In reality of course, what is in your mind is far worse than the reality as when diving you hardly ever go back to the surface other than at the start and end of the dive, but when this entry/leave point is focussed on a small square cut in the ice, it focuses the mind somewhat.

Notice the floating ice in the hole, dive holes would usually start to re-freeze between dives, but as long as they are visited regularly, they can be easily kept open with an axe and something to fish the broken up ice out of the hole with.

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Paul Ward - This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without prior written permission.