DIR Information Network >> Cold Water FAQ

Is Halcyon gear appropriate for cold water diving?

Global Underwater Explorers instructor Richard Lundgren dives in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. Known for his skills in locating and exploring wrecks in the vicinity of the arctic circle, first as the president of Baltic Sea Tech Divers and now working with Ocean Discovery, Richard takes subzero surface temperatures in stride when planning a dive. We asked Richard to provide our customers with a few tips on using Halcyon gear in cold water diving. While his comments are not a substitute for proper training (and ice diving is a very dangerous activity that should not be undertaken without proper dive training), he does offer insightful commentary on his own experiences with Halcyon gear:

I have been involved with some cold water testing of Halcyon gear up north in Sweden, above the arctic circle. The test was conducted in -15 to -30 degree Celsius on the surface and 0 degree in the water. When diving in extreme cold, you have to recognize that any component delivering air or gas is prone to freeze if pushed over the edge. Still, I have used the Halcyon wing and its inflator for a long time now and have yet to encounter any malfunction during cold water diving. I have seen bladders manufactured by other US companies explode during uncontrolled ascents due to inflator freeze up situations in combination with user error.

Low pressure Inflators are prone to damage by many unknown hazards. Damage can be caused by a cold environment in combination with a high flow of gas through the inflator device. A frozen inflator could lead to tragedy if it results in a ballistic uncontrolled ascent. Remember that the surface water, during winter in cold countries like Sweden, often is the coldest area encountered during a dive. A frozen inflator could also prevent you from being able to orally inflate your BCD. Avoid over using equipment that delivers air or gas when you are in the surface waters, including, regulators, inflators etc.

The following hints might be of some use if you are not used to cold water diving.

Attitude:
Always be aware of the fact that regulators, drysuit valves and Inflator valves can freeze and will do so if pushed to far. Be prepared and learn what to do if and when it happens. This is why being able to operate the manifold with ease is vital in cold water.

Operation:
Never use long purges when you inflate the wing. Do not freefall to the bottom and then hit the brake with the help of the inflator. Use short and more frequent purges during the ascent and thus controlling it. A common practice is that you should not inhale and purge the inflator at the same time. This can cause your first stage to freeze, giving you more problems than asked for.

Kent Lind, a GUE member from Juneau, Alaska, has also been using Halcyon's MC System for arctic diving. Kent recently wrote to GUE's Quest discussion list to offer his experiences with the Halcyon wing in subzero conditions:

My gear freezes all the time on winter dives in Alaska. Damaging a wing is one of the things I never worry about. What freezes is the water that is absorbed into the Cordura outer shell of the wing-- so it's only the outer shell that gets stiff. The inner bladder does not absorb water and should remain pliable. The only conceivable way that the wing could get damaged is if you get big shards of ice between the shell and the inner bladder and this somehow punctures the wing.

We're proud to be able to publish Richard's and Kent's letters to us. Halcyon is committed to producing the highest quality gear for all conditions, from the balmy waters of the Caribbean to the rigors of arctic ice diving.

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