Today was an extremely busy one but it also was an absolutely wonderful one. It started first thing when Stacy announced during the 7:30am team meeting that Scott and I would get our first opportunity to dive tend on the ice. I was excited and a little apprehensive. I know that this is serious business. There are goals for each dive, not to mention the safety of the scuba divers. Scott and I scrambled to get dressed in our ECW gear and try not to act too excited. We went down to the dive locker and helped the scuba divers get their gear. We then piled into the Pisten Bully and headed out onto the ice. It really amazes me that we are driving on water. I know that it is frozen, but it is still just water. Not to mention that the view is utterly mesmerizing.
The view at the dive hole was absolutely gorgeous. You almost feel like you are in the middle of a blanket of snow.
Once we got to the dive hole at Cinder Cove it was time to get down to business. The divers finished suiting up and the dive tenders were responsible for helping the divers with their gloves, hoods, masks, and anything else that they require to be safe and successful during the dive. The dive tender also installs a down line that has all of the supplies that the divers will need during the dive. We put a core rack for taking samples, three flashers, a pony bottle of oxygen, a video camera, and a still camera. Unfortunately, things don't always go smoothly. The still camera was not working. Bob and DJ worked on it for about fifteen minutes.
It is necessary to check all equipment before it goes in the water. Sometimes things don't go the way you planned but you have to adjust.
The entire time the other divers, Marco and Francois, had to sit and wait. It is cold on the ice but they make the best of it.
Marco waits patiently until everything is ready to start the dive. The ice is very cold but he doesn't complain.
It was finally decided that the dive would have to progress without the still camera. This means that the team will have to plan another dive at Cinder Cove with a working still camera. The divers all love what they do but the reality is that there is a lot to do and only so much time.
When it is time to start the dive, it is Francois that enters the dive hole first. He is usually the first in the water and the last the exit. He is having the time of his life diving in Antarctica and he wants to savor every moment.
Francois checks everything and then he enters the water. He does a safety a check after entering the water and then it's off to enjoy himself.
The other divers enter the hole and get to work. The dive tenders stand by and watch for any signs that the divers are in need. They also use a net on a long pole to fish out ice from the dive hole. After about 30 minutes the divers emerge from the water. The divers have to do a lot of work but they also make sure to have fun. Bob demonstrates just how much.
It is necessary to make sure that you get the goals accomplished when you dive. However, you also have to remember to take a moment and enjoy this amazing experience.
It was a successful dive and everyone returned safe. We pile back into the Pisten Bully and head back to McMurdo Station. We are running a little late because Scott and I have a training scheduled for 1:00pm. The team arrives back at 12:55pm and Scott and I rush to our class. Unfortunately, this means that we will miss lunch but it was well worth it.
Our next training class is a big one. We are going to learn to use a variety of machines that will help us do our job. The first is the snowmobile.
These vehicles are used for work and recreation. They are a blast to drive but you need to remember to do so safely.
Now, you may wonder what a snowmobile has to do with work. After all, we all think of a snowmobile as a recreational vehicle. It is sometimes necessary for a couple of people to go and chip out a dive hole so that it doesn't completely freeze over. Using snowmobiles is a much more fuel efficient choice. It is also a whole lot of fun!
We learned all about the snowmobile, including how to operate it and the steps to take if something goes wrong. I learned how to change a spark plug and replace a belt. I feel just like a mechanic. The next part was to go out and ride the snowmobiles. It was a blast!
After this portion of the class, Scott and I were instructed in the use of several small machines that are used by the team. The first was a generator known as a "Hotsy". A large drill is attached and this helps the team to drill a large ice hole.
This is a generator that you can attach to a large drill flight and cut large holes in the ice. It is mounted on skis to make it easier to use on the ice.
We then learned all about the operation and maintenance of a small generator. It looks so small but it is quite powerful.
A small generator that has a lot of power.
We then learned about the larger generator or "Genny" as it is referred to down here in Antarctica.
![A large generator.](/files/members/cameo-slaybaugh/images/164biggenerator.jpg "A large generator or "Genny"")
A large generator or "Genny"
The next piece of equipment that we learned to use was another drill known as a "Jiffy". All of these generators are used to help cut out ice holes for the scuba divers and for the deployment of SCINI.
This drill is used to cut holes in the ice to make dive holes for scuba divers and SCINI.
The last piece of equipment that we learned to use was a chain saw. You heard me - a chain saw. This is used to cut out large pieces of ice. I was pretty excited about this lesson. Of course, it was not nearly as easy as it looked.
I am trying to safely start a chain saw but it's not as easy as it looks.
The lessons were over for the day, or were they?
Scott and I headed for the galley to eat a very large dinner. Then we returned to the lab to do some work. I got to help Bob recoil some tether. It was not as easy as it sounds because we had to do it just right. You don't want to get out in the field and waste time straightening out the tether. Then Stacy called me over to see the gems that she had found in the cores that the divers took this morning at Cinder Cove. The pan contained several small creatures.
These are some of the creatures that were found in the cores taken today.
You see a brittle star, a snail, a sea urchin, and an infaunal anemone. It seems that every time I turn around I am seeing something new or learning about something I didn't know. This is truly an amazing experience. I just wish everyone had the chance to be a part of this incredible environment. It certainly puts things into perspective. I better go, I don't want to miss the next new thing.