A dive expedition to South Georgia with EYOS introduced to me the captivating polar regions, an environment I have kept getting drawn back to. From subsequent polar explorations with Lindblad and Endeavour, I now know how crucial this icy landscape is in regulating our global climate.
Fuelled by this insight and keen to develop my understanding of polar research, scientific diving and environmental protection, I joined the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy for their first-ever Polar Research Diving Program.
The Allure of Ice Diving
The course was taught by Antarctic and Arctic scientists and explorers who conduct research in some of the most remote and unforgiving places on earth. They shared their stories and expertise to illuminate the challenges and rewards of exploring these regions. Their knowledge helped me better understand the complexities of polar research, including medical considerations and logistical operations.
Embracing the Arctic Chill
Our dive site for the week was a frozen lake, nestled in an ice and snow-sculpted landscape. Early in the course, the snowy mountain peaks glowed with the sunset. As I walked down to the lake for a closer look, reality hit. In a few days, I would be diving beneath the ice right under my feet! This realisation was both daunting and exhilarating.
Crafting a dive site
This occupational scientific course focused on safe working above and below the ice. Some of the topside skills we learnt included:
Safety
Ice diving is equipment intensive and definitely a team effort. With a ceiling of ice above you, emergency response options are limited. This makes safety and planning measures crucial. For example, we were tethered to the surface by a line which is tended by a support person positioned near the ice hole. The line allows for communication during the dive and provides a way to signal in case of an emergency. The safety diver, who is ready on the surface, then descends to assist.
Ice Diving
Slipping beneath the ice, I was greeted by a world like no other. It was SO dark! Yet, the visibility was excellent, with a small pool of light pouring through the ice hole- the window between the world above and below the ice.
Honing my diving techniques in subzero temperatures was a rewarding challenge. Crawling upside down under the ceiling of ice to collect scientific samples was both thrilling and demanding.
After surfacing from a dive, our drysuits would sometimes freeze. We’d then jump onto a snowmobile sledge and be whisked back to the research station to defrost.
Building Bonds
One of my favourite scholarship moments happened during this course. Driving a snowmobile under the northern lights to an ice hole I had dived in earlier that day. It was a trio of firsts!
It was special to share one of my favourite scholarship experiences with Sophie, the 2023 OWUSS Australasian Scholar. Genece and Sophie have been amazing friends this year, navigating the highs and hiccups of our scholarship journeys together. This camaraderie was mirrored in the course, where a wonderful group of people with different skills and experience levels helped each other while having a laugh along the way.
Final Thoughts and Feels
Thank you so much to Edd Stockdale and the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy for having me. I highly recommend their polar research diving program to anyone passionate about environmental science and adventure. The combination of valuable learning experiences and the camaraderie with fellow participants makes it an unparalleled opportunity. This course not only fuelled both my love for exploration and deepened my appreciation for the crucial role of scientific diving and research in protecting our natural world.
A huge thank you to Rolex, the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society, Divers Alert Network and my equipment sponsors Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon Dive Systems, Reef Photo and Video and Nauticam. Their continued support, along with the dedication of countless volunteers and hosts, has transformed this incredible opportunity into a reality. Thank you for the most extraordinary year.
