Really Scary

[fleshy]

My mother told me today after school that while she was at the YMCA, she saw something on the news about a guy that was spearfishing under the ice. Apparently he lost the hole he had dove in on. Some people that were working near the ice or something heard him screaming from under the ice, and they called the police who were able to cut a hole in the ice and free the man. I asked her if it was someone from wisconsin and she said that she didnt know. Be safe guys, I know most of you are diving in the cooling ponds, but still, often times we forget how freediving is somewhat flirting with death. Its bad enough with crazed boatmen, entanglements (damn those line fishermen), and the possibility for SWB. If it was someone that was on here, Im really sorry, and I just hope that your able to enjoy the sport again. I know that some times an experience like that can ruin a good pastime. Stay safe!

 

[Whopperhead]

Yeah- that would suck. We are very safe, always cautious of where the Ice Line is. this Saturday when we dive through a hole we cut through the ice, There will be NO spearfishing and we are attached to lines with supervision of "Safty Divers".

I would hate to be that guy- that would freak me out- probably to the point of not diving in the cold again.

 

[fleshy]

Yeah, exactly. And I totally can see and understand how someone is underwater tracking a fish, and they lose all other thoughts. Its all your concentrating on, heck thats just vital as a free diver, being able to put other things in the back of your mind. Im just glad the guy survived. Have a nice time, love to join you guys, but like Ive said with the way Im bulking/growing, plus how much money I make, an open cell just really isnt an option right now.

 

[ILDiver]

I'll have to search out that story. I'm trying to figure out how he was yelling, if there was a pocket there?? Diving near the ice is always a concern, it's too easy to lose track of the hole.

This also proves why diving with a buddy is always the best plan.

 

[ILDiver]

Quick search and all I came up with was a story about a cop in Portage...pffft Portage...
"A Christmas party for employees of the Portage County Sheriff's Department has resulted in a hit-and-run citation for a sheriff's deputy."

 

[Whopperhead]

That's Portage county - not Portage in Columbia County - just a FYI

 

[ILDiver]

Same thing....crooked Law Enforcement! rofl

 

[ILDiver]

Only thing I found close was: Wausau Daily Herald - Man dies after falling through ice

The mention of this got me curious, I wonder how many people have fallen through ice this year so I did kind of a general search.

 

[fleshy]

Well we know that there had to be pockets because he survived until the law enforcement got there to drill a hole in the ice... I personally have fallen through ice on several occasions, but all involving ice fishing.

 

[Jon]

The story sounds like BS to me.

I've been ice diving, and teaching ice diving, for well over 20 years- almost 30. I have never seen a pocket under the ice in my whole life. There's is no way anyone heard him scream from under the ice. I know from my ski patrol days people can't hear you scream when buried in snow for avalanche practice- so forget about being under the ice.

IF you are on scuba you will get bubble that float across the bottom of the ice looking for the highest point- which is the hole that you came in through. Eventually, the bubbles will make it to the whole and come out in one big burp. That's the closest thing I've ever seen as far as air being trapped under the ice.

If your freediving under the ice there are no air bubbles- unless your down there blowing bubble rings.

One other thing about ice diving. Buddies may be nice, but unless your attached to a rope your as good as dead. We had a couple of divers die out in Lake Nagawicka about 20 years ago because they ice dove without ropes- all the buddy system did that day was ensure the death of two divers instead of one. The former owners of Racine Quarry lost their son under the ice when it shifted on him during his scuba dive- no rope was used.

In rock climbing they say "double back or die" I would say that in ice diving "use a rope or die". It doesn't matter how clear the water is, all you need is to get your mask kicked off, which can easily happen when you have many divers sharing a hole, and you'd be hard pressed to find your way back without being attached to a rope.

Be safe,

Jon

 

[TheDude]

I agree with Jon, that the story sounds like BS. I don't know what the cops are like over there, but I guess the guy would have died twice till the police would arrive and save him...

Anyway, good points about using the rope - safety should always be first. You can get in trouble just by losing the rope in a dark lake, and finding the top direction there is definitely way easier than if you have to find also a small hole in ice...

 

[Pinggene]

I too think the story sounds like BS, unless the guy was revived...I know of no one that could hold their breath long enough for the police to arrive & cut a hole.

I'm not planning on taking any chances this Saturday.:naughty Anyone that is, can wait until after we are long gone.

Gene

 

[Jon]

I think I do remember reading a story in the last couple of days where a guy fell into a lake, but didn't go under, and yelled for help.

Someone grabbed their canoe and pushed it out onto the lake to get him. About the same time as the guy in the canoe got to him the fire department arrived.

In the story I read no one went under and the guy wasn't in that long. Sounds like he treaded water for a couple of minutes and then was snatched out and wrapped in blankets right away.

Stories get twisted by old people at the YMCA- I'm there everyday with my kids so I hear a few of them. You should here some of the things people try and tell me when they see me swimming laps with my monofin.rofl

Jon

 

[land shark]

You should here some of the things people try and tell me when they see me swimming laps with my monofin.rofl

?????.............