If you have the desire to jump into sub freezing waters than you will need to have the right equipment on hand to make it happen. One of the most important things that you must bring with you are ice diving regulators. Training will teach you that it is best to bring two sets with you for emergency purposes.
These can cost anywhere between $350 to $1,000 depending on the brand, quality, and what features it is designed with. For example the more expensive models might be built with an environmental seal kit and others are sealed from the manufacturer. Browse through the various types and find one that you can carry easily and that fits comfortably.
When you are under water and something goes wrong it is easy to panic and lose focus. This is dangerous and one of the last things you need to be doing. It helps to anticipate various problems that might occur with the regulator – but in the end the best thing you can do is try to avoid them altogether.
- Clean the regulator before and after you dive.
- When it is not being used keep it in a warm and dry storage cabin.
- Do not breathe through the regulator before you are under water except when you are checking to see if it works.
- When checking the regulator exhale only when you have taken it away from your mouth to prevent freezing the second stage.
- Switch to a back up regulator if the first one freezes up or creates a free flow. Turn the valve to the primary regulator to stop a free flow and abort the dive.
- If during the dive your primary regulator freezes up and causes a free flow, you should switch to you back-up regulator, and turn off the valve to the primary regulator to stop the free flow. The dive must be aborted in any case.
- Dry off the dust cap before you attach the regulator.
- Open the cylinder valve a little bit before you mount the regulator. Remember to blow moisture out of the orifice.
- When blowing moisture out of the unit hold the second stage below the first.
- Remove the regulator carefully so ice and water do not enter the filter.
- When rinsing it do not press the purge button.
- Remove excess water from the second stage before you hang it up to dry.