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- Diver Trapped When Ice Hole Slams Shut!
Diver Trapped When Ice Hole Slams Shut!
- By © UnderwaterINDUSTRY .com
- Published 01/23/2002
- Diving Safety and Training
-
Rating:
SAFETY ADVISORY
A diver was trapped by shifting and frazzeled ice while he was working a few kilometres downstream of a dam, on the Trent River.
The mild weather this winter has created unsafe ice conditions to work on and above average water levels are forcing water control authorities to take action to prevent flooding. In this case the Trent/Severn Waterway Authority opened up gates in the dams up-stream of the dive site without knowledge of a diving operation in progress below. The result of this action caused the surface ice to shift at the dive site which closed the diver's access hole. To make matters worse a large mass of frazzeled ice migrated into the area and immobilised the diver.
Fortunately, the ice mass did not shift beyond the limits of the diver's surface supply equipment in the time that it took his support crew to effect his rescue. He was eventually extricated out of his predicament and evacuated to a nearby hospital for observation. He was later released after it was determined that he had not sustained any injuries.
The diving regulation requires that notice be given to water control authorities of facilities that are within one kilometre of the dive site. Nevertheless, for winter diving operations it is imperative that water control authorities be notified of diving operations occurring downstream of their facilities (at any distance) where the diver may be put at risk as a result of increased water flows.
In addition, an operational and contingency plan must outline the hazards that could be encountered and how they are to be handled. Working on ice safely requires some basic knowledge of ice characteristics which can be acquired by studying THE CANADA HANDBOOK OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR OPERATIONS OVER ICE TB GUIDE 5-3.
In conclusion, ensure that you are in a position to make an informed decision before working on/or below the ice in any river in Ontario during the winter season and that you notify and maintain communication with the appropriate water control authority during the dive operation.
A diver was trapped by shifting and frazzeled ice while he was working a few kilometres downstream of a dam, on the Trent River.
The mild weather this winter has created unsafe ice conditions to work on and above average water levels are forcing water control authorities to take action to prevent flooding. In this case the Trent/Severn Waterway Authority opened up gates in the dams up-stream of the dive site without knowledge of a diving operation in progress below. The result of this action caused the surface ice to shift at the dive site which closed the diver's access hole. To make matters worse a large mass of frazzeled ice migrated into the area and immobilised the diver.
Fortunately, the ice mass did not shift beyond the limits of the diver's surface supply equipment in the time that it took his support crew to effect his rescue. He was eventually extricated out of his predicament and evacuated to a nearby hospital for observation. He was later released after it was determined that he had not sustained any injuries.
The diving regulation requires that notice be given to water control authorities of facilities that are within one kilometre of the dive site. Nevertheless, for winter diving operations it is imperative that water control authorities be notified of diving operations occurring downstream of their facilities (at any distance) where the diver may be put at risk as a result of increased water flows.
In addition, an operational and contingency plan must outline the hazards that could be encountered and how they are to be handled. Working on ice safely requires some basic knowledge of ice characteristics which can be acquired by studying THE CANADA HANDBOOK OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR OPERATIONS OVER ICE TB GUIDE 5-3.
In conclusion, ensure that you are in a position to make an informed decision before working on/or below the ice in any river in Ontario during the winter season and that you notify and maintain communication with the appropriate water control authority during the dive operation.