It appeared I was going to be diving a lot so I began to purchase my own kit and in April 94 I did my Ice diving course at Twin Lakes. Now you ask how was I able to do my Ice diving course without my Advanced. Gerry had reviewed my experience and after putting up with Doug Salmon as my dive buddy in February he felt I was more than qualified. (Gerry did test me for my advanced course in March)

The course actually began in March at Clear Lake. As we were all very much novices to this, we listened intently to our instructor Gerry and armed with this new found knowledge, we headed out to the Lake the first Saturday in March. We had two chain saws, a tent, the dive kit and some other stuff. Not aware what the ice could hold, we lugged everything out by foot. Gerry began to cut the hole along with Paul and the rest of us set up the tent and other stuff. The ice was very thick about three feet. One of the chainsaw blades was about the same length and the other much shorter. After lots of cutting and chain saw repairs about four hours had passed. We ere fairly sure that we were all the way through when suddenly the blade broke and went scooting through the fresh cut crack in the ice. It did not occur to us that the Ice should be cut out in blocks first. Then cut the last layer, which should only be about four inches to six inches. By now it was too late one chainsaw was dead and the other had no blade. In frustration we hacked and jumped on the cut triangle wondering why it would not give which in retrospect was probably quite stupid if it had given way. In defeat we packed up the tent and other stuff and went home. The Course was rescheduled for April at Twin Lakes where we knew there was a hole.

There were four of us Paul Ellard, Fred Paddock, Bonnie Gallus and I taking the course (Dives 25-27). I was teamed up with Bonnie which was probably a good thing. Fred a former maintenance officer is very analytical in his thought. Fred also likes to try out the newest gadgets and remains very calm. Paul can be very excitable, loud and enthusiastic. Paul and Fred proved to be an interesting combination. It was my first time in twin Lakes and all the stuff down there was quite neat. It was the 9^th of April and the Ice was still 14inches thick but decaying rapidly. Bonnie was a good buddy as we toured about the chicken, parking meter and bathroom set. I also saw a fish in the lobster trap. On my second Ice dive I found Paul’s dive slate which he had dropped on a previous dive. The next day was the most interesting. Gerry and I had gone in first and had come out to take over tending duties for Paul and Fred. Fred who is a little older and sometimes has gas, was in the process of up chucking chunks of smoked trout I had given him for lunch. The weather had warmed up considerably and the hole was getting bigger. Paul and Fred entered the water, Gerry was tending the rope and I was emergency diver. About half way through the dive the Ice gives way to Gerry and he is in the hole. Being that it is so warm the Ice anchors are not holding and the oblivious divers are slowly pulling the end of the rope towards the hole. I quickly dive flat on the Ice and grab the end of the rope as it enters the water with one hand and assist Gerry who is scrambling to get out of the water with the other. All returns to normal after a few moments of excitement. Paul and Fred surface a few minutes later and get out at opposite ends of the hole and begin to take their kit off. About halfway through they realize they are still attached to each other by the dive rope and a tug o war ensues. Paul wins initially but Fred yanks him in the water as he is celebrating his victory. I consider Ice diving the second best dive course there is to take.

On January 14th 1995 Dive number 64 Clear Lake, I am now a qualified Dive Master and Club President. This time the Ice will succumb. I gather some extra expertise from within the Club. We take core samples of the Ice to determine its load capacity and capability of holding heavy equipment. We have chainsaws, Tents, Heavy Equipment to scrape the Ice, power Augers, four 100,000 BTU heaters and an explosive backup plan (The advantages of being a Section head on a Military training base). Gerry nevertheless is quite impressed. In about 15 minutes we have a hole and a complete camp set up. I take John Wiley down on his inaugural ice dive and there were no problems. One of the most interesting things I like about Ice diving is looking back up through the hole at the person tending the rope. It reminds me of a science fiction movie.

February 17^th 1996 Dive 116, now that we know how to get through the ice we bring out much less equipment and make better use existing infrastructure. Dave Faas Cabin is set up as the base or social center and the hole is cut out front of his Cabin. The course goes well and I dive with Red Elrich and we go down to take pictures.

March 22 1997 Dives 137 and 138. Ice diving is becoming routine as we move the hole back over to the platform at Clear Lake. I have since moved from Wainwright being posted to Edmonton. This is a milestone weekend for Cathy as she completes her Ice diving Course. My first dive is oddly enough with Cathy who has become an experienced and avid diver. This is Cathy’s second dive of the Ice Diving course. It’s a beautiful day at about 10c, sunny with no wind. Cathy did extremely well with her new dry suit and she is confident under the water. It turns out to be a great dive. The next day I dive with Dave Faas, Its not quite as nice out only about 2c. The dive is excellent with the water temp about 37f. Dave and I decide to do the rocket ride back. This is where you plant yourself upside-down under the ice and give the four pull emergency signal. Those on the surface pull the rope as fast as they can and you ski on the bottom of the ice. Be aware of the cold rush and ensuing slurpee headache. Dave and I got going so fast my hood filled with water giving me a slurpee headache. It is a lot of fun.

I should mention that, around this point was Gerry’s 100^th Ice dive. Tradition has it that on your 100^th dive of any series that it be done naked. In Gerry’s case this was much less a dive but more of a jump in the hole and out again. I am not sure if there is a requirement to actually take a breath underwater. Gerry had no breath he barely had enough time to get wet. He did however, go all the way in. Needless to say this was quite humorous.