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Well, we took the  chainsaw out to Falling Rock as Joe said the ice was thick.  Present were Dennis Price, Bill Young, Kelly Cordell, John French, David Keener and Dale Bletso.  The ice was thick, but at the north entrance it was only about 2 1/2 inches thick.  We broke through and worked our way out far enough to enable a duck under.  John and Kelly were the first team in, and they laid a line to mark the way out.  Dennis and Dale followed them about twenty minutes later, using the line they had lain to meet up with them.  After milling about for a few minutes, we all headed back to the entry area.  Kelly and John exited after a 45 min dive.  Dennis and Dale then went on around the west side of the quarry and back.  Dale did some tests on the rebreather at thirty feet.  Then at fifty mins, Dennis and Dale took up the line and exited also.

Due to some equipment problems, both David and Bill had to scrub their dives at the water's edge. This is some serious diving as one cannot break through to the surface in ice even 1/2 inch thick. You are in an overhead environment and must have adequate backups.  Visibilty was thirty to forty feet.   The fish were for the most part lying on the bottom not very interested in moving about in the frigid 39 degree bottom temperature.  An interesting thing about diving under the ice is that the bottom temperature is warmer than the surface.  The surface temperature is, of course, 32 degrees.

Obviously, a drysuit is mandatory equipment for this kind of diving.  Yeah, we've all heard the jokes about the bravado of wetsuit divers diving in 40 degree water. However, diving in the winter, the biggest problem (hypothermia) is exacerbated after you exit the water because you are wet and your core temperature is reduced. 

Whether the ice holds out or not,  we will be back at the quarry on the 14th. If you have the necessary equipment and training, you are always welcome.  We are always looking for new divers to join in on the fun. Remember: Airheads is the only dive center in Kentuckiana that can provide the training to do any type of diving  you wish in a safe and enjoyable manner..

Falling Rock Jan 6,2001	Falling Rock Jan 6,2001	John, Kelly, and Dale	Dennis
Kelly, John , and Bill	Kelly and John getting in	Dale at end of the dive	Dale getting the pic