Marta Lukasik signaled her safety by tapping her fist on her head, the diver’s gesture for “I’m ok.” She and 11 fellow divers had just returned from a dive on the icy surface of Lake Kilpisjärvi. This lake, located near the intersection of Finland, Sweden, and Norway, is a training ground for scientific research in polar regions.
Over the course of 10 days, a diverse group of participants learned critical diving skills under the 80 centimeters (30 inches) of ice. The program is organized by the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy, which operates under the University of Helsinki. Erik Wurz, the program coordinator, emphasized the growing need for skilled divers capable of conducting research in extreme polar environments.
Importance of Polar Scientific Diving
The Arctic and Antarctic regions are experiencing rapid changes due to climate change. Wurz pointed out that the scientific community has many unanswered questions about these areas, with access remaining limited. He estimated that the total number of scientific divers trained for icy conditions worldwide is only between 100 to 200.
Diving in Extreme Conditions
Divers wear dry suits to combat the chilling 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) water temperature. Accessible only via snowmobiles, the training site is near the University of Helsinki’s biological station, situated at the foot of the Saana mountains. Ruari Buijs, a 21-year-old marine biology student, highlighted the importance of teamwork during dives.
In their training, divers are taught to handle challenging overhead environments. Wurz mentioned that visibility can diminish rapidly, making a safety line essential for navigation. A yellow 50-meter (165-foot) safety line, which is tethered to the divers, acts as a lifeline in murky waters.
Practical Training for Future Research
The day’s focus was ice coring, a vital technique for environmental research. Caroline Chen, a 23-year-old Canadian scientific diver and research assistant, shared her experience of adjusting to the unique underwater landscape. The training prepares divers for real-world conditions, including expeditions to Antarctica, where facilities are often limited.
Wurz recently joined an expedition to Scott Base, located 1,350 kilometers (840 miles) from the South Pole, to gather crucial data. He noted that the polar regions are undergoing unprecedented transformations, with significant ice shelf breakages observed.
Need for Research and Data Collection
Emerging data indicates that Arctic sea ice is nearing a record low, primarily due to human activities. Wurz stressed the necessity of obtaining samples and reliable data from these rapidly changing environments, as they are critical to understanding climate patterns.
After a successful dive, Lukasik expressed her fascination with the underwater world, illuminated by sunlight filtering through layers of snow and ice. Buijs remarked on the extreme nature of the environment, dubbing it the “second most hostile environment known to man,” after space.
This program not only fosters passion for marine biology but also equips divers with essential skills to explore and understand the vital ecosystems of our planet’s polar regions.
