Photo by Mikhail Vedyokhin · CC BY-SA 2.5
Ice Diver
This specialty certification qualifies Advanced Open Water Divers to safely conduct ice dives in ice-covered fresh-water bodies using specialized safety lines and protocols. You'll master ice-entry techniques, underwater line protocols, bottom-line deployment, team management under ice, and comprehensive emergency procedures adapted for ice-covered water where direct surface exit is impossible. Ice Diver certification enables safe exploration of winter diving sites in arctic and northern temperate regions and bridges progression toward winter cave and technical diving.
Prerequisites
IANTD Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and IANTD Dry Suit Diver; minimum 25 logged dives with minimum 10 dives in water 50°F/10°C or colder; age 16+ with parent/guardian authorization or 18+. Note: Dry Suit proficiency is recommended but not mandatory if diver demonstrates equivalent skills.
Standards
What a diver must demonstrate to pass this course — not always published by the certifying agency.
Divers must demonstrate competency in proper ice-entry techniques, emergency ascent procedures under ice, bottom-line deployment, ice-specific emergency management, and all dry-suit specific skills.
No instructors or dive centres found offering this course.
We're still building out the directory country by country, so this list isn't every instructor or dive centre teaching it in the world — more locations are coming soon.
Common questions about IANTD Ice Diver
What are the prerequisites for IANTD Ice Diver?
IANTD's standards require: IANTD Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and IANTD Dry Suit Diver; minimum 25 logged dives with minimum 10 dives in water 50°F/10°C or colder; age 16+ with parent/guardian authorization or 18+. Note: Dry Suit proficiency is recommended but not mandatory if diver demonstrates equivalent skills.
What is the minimum age for IANTD Ice Diver?
IANTD's standards state: Age 16+ with parent/guardian authorization or 18+.
How many dives do I need before starting IANTD Ice Diver?
IANTD's standards state: Minimum 25 logged dives with minimum 10 dives in water 50°F/10°C or colder.
What does IANTD Ice Diver training involve?
According to IANTD's published standards: Divers must demonstrate competency in proper ice-entry techniques, emergency ascent procedures under ice, bottom-line deployment, ice-specific emergency management, and all dry-suit specific skills.