This past Sunday, our Diving-Rescue Unit conducted an ice diving drill at Upper Schuylkill Valley Park in Upper Providence Township.
Ice diving presents a much higher risk than open water, with cold exposure, limited visibility, entrapment hazards, and restricted access points. Every step of this training was deliberate, controlled, and supervised.

Our team cut a primary entry hole and established a fully prepared secondary safety hole. Several divers experienced their first under-ice exposure, operating on conservative profiles focused on communication and procedure.

All divers were tethered. Dedicated tenders managed lines. A safety diver and 90% diver stood ready at all times. Surface personnel were also tethered to shore for maximum accountability and safety.

Ice operations are methodical by design. We train deliberately, controlled, and disciplined so we’re ready when it matters most.