NUSAR Trains And Gets It Down Cold

For the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue (NUSAR) team, ice is not just for skating. It is also for diving. Under it, that is.

In February, three NUSAR divers completed their ice diving certifications, meaning they have learned the logistics and techniques particular to scuba diving in extremely cold water and an environment in which a diver can only surface through a small hole in the ice. Those skills would be important should NUSAR be called on to rescue someone who falls through ice.

NUSAR members also practiced their ice-rescue skills February 28 on Lake Kenosia in Danbury just before providing safety support for the annual Danbury Dip, a fundraising event run by Danbury Moose Lodge #1373. None of the 36 swimmers needed assistance.

Ice diving requires the use of dry suits — suits that completely seal the body from water and allow the use of thick insulating undergarments for extra warmth. Divers must complete a separate certification course before using this equipment. Ice diving also requires extra equipment and surface support personnel, including people to tend ropes to which divers are tethered.

The ice-diving training included a classroom session at Pan Aqua Diving in Brookfield led by instructor Peter Hearn, then a series of dives at Zoar Beach in Monroe on February 15 under the supervision of Robert Weintraub and other instructors from Scuba New York in Bronx, N.Y. The ice at the time was eight to ten inches thick and the water temperature was 37 degrees.

Receiving their ice-diving certifications were NUSAR Assistant Chief Paula Wickman and probationary members Brian Solt and Paul Nonnenmacher. NUSAR volunteers complete a training period of up to one year before becoming full members.

NUSAR is an all-volunteer emergency response and public safety dive team dedicated to saving lives through search and rescue operations by providing professionally trained members for water rescue and recovery incidents. NUSAR also promotes water safety awareness education. For more information, visit www.nusar-ct.org.