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Abstract SCIENTIFIC DIVING UNDER ICE: A 40-YEAR BIPOLAR RESEARCH TOOL Michael A. Lang Approximately four decades ago scientists were first able to enter the undersea polar environment to make biological observations for a nominal period of time. The conduct of underwater research in extreme environments requires special consideration of diving physiology, equipment design, diver training and operational procedures, all of which enable this under-ice approach. Since those first ice dives in wetsuits and double-hose regulators without buoyancy compensators or submersible pressure gauges, today’s scientific ice divers have the potential of extending their observational and experimental depths and times to limits never before available. Novel ice diving techniques have expanded the working envelope based on scientific need to include use of dive computers, oxygen-enriched air, rebreather units, blue-water diving, and dry suit systems. With the advent of new technology, greater scientific productivity is achieved while maintaining the scientific diving community’s exemplary safety record. The 2007 International Polar Diving Workshop in Svalbard promulgated consensus polar diving recommendations through the combined international, interdisciplinary expertise of participating polar diving scientists, equipment manufacturers, physiologists and decompression experts, and diving safety officers. The NSF U.S. Antarctic Program scientific diving exposures in support of underwater research enjoy a remarkable safety record and high scientific productivity due to a significant allocation of logistical support and resources to ensure personnel safety. Approximately 36 scientists dive each year through USAP and have logged over 10,500 scientific ice dives since 1989.
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