I was the 90% diver on an ice dive, using SSA as well as the safety diver. The primary diver (different dept) was using conventional SCUBA(80cf) with a pony bottle(19cf) bail out system on an Omni switch block. All divers are in dry suit and Divator FFM. The primary diver had some challenges with weight issues and equipment configuration. The tenders in this case are new and we are boat based in about 10ft of water with thin ice conditions. After a few attempts due to equipment issues the primary diver starts his dive. We allowed him to go only about 20 lateral ft due to the challenges he had. We had him on hard wire communication and after about 5 sweep patterns we advised him to start a slow ascent and we would due a lost diver drill with the safety diver. Suddenly and with out any communications or rope signals the primary diver started to pull himself in towards the boat. We noticed an emergency and told the safety diver to start towards the primary. The tender was told to pull the diver in also. The primary diver suddenly surfaced and removed his mask stating he had a mask failure. We had him exit the water and place his gear in the boat for examination. The primary diver suffered no injury. On inspection of the dive gear, he had 2500 psi in his 80cf cylinder. His octopus worked fine. His FFM did not have any air going to it. We checked the Omni switch block and noticed it was in the position for the pony bottle. I removed the regulator from the pony bottle and found it was empty. The diver was diving on his pony bottle system the entire time and sucked it dry. He did not attempt to switch the block position, he stated he would have removed his FFM and use his octopus, in ice water this is not as easy as it sounds. Later discussion found he had not been trained on the use, had no pool time, and was not aware of the operation of the switch block. We are fortunate the diver was limited to lateral distance of 20ft. If he was at a greater distance he may have had different results, not for the better.
Each diver must be trained and knowledgeable with their own gear. When the “domino” effect starts to take place, don’t push on just to complete the dive. Gut feeling in this case limited the diver to only go out 20 lateral ft. Follow your gut! Each member of a division/county wide team must communicate with each other regarding gear issues. We don’t all have the same stuff, but must be aware of each teams configurations. This diver learned the hard way to get into the pool first with new gear.
