Divers prepare for polar waters

CRITICAL NEED: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS TRAIN TO WORK IN FREEZING CONDITIONS >>> These regions are changing very fast, scientists say.

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RACE AGAINST TIME. Participants in the polar scientific diving programme prepare an ice hole prior to a diving session at the Kilpisjaervi Biological Station in Finland recently.

(AFP)

In a square hole carved out of the thick ice, two divers vanished into the depths of an Arctic lake, leaving nothing but bubbles at the surface.

Returning 45 minutes later, Marta Lukasik tapped her fist on the top of her head - a diver’s signal that means “I’m okay”.

On the frozen Lake Kilpisjarvi, just below the tree line at the intersection of the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian borders, 12 divers were taking a course to learn how to dive in polar regions so they could carry out scientific research.

“Just wow, every small thing you see in the water... just wow,” said Lukasik, a 41-year-old oceanology PhD student who works as a diving inspector on fish farms in Norway, mesmerised by the experience.

For 10 days, the international group from different professions and backgrounds learnt vital skills below the 80cm of ice covering the lake.

According to Erik Wurz, coordinator of the programme run by the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy, which is part of the University of Helsinki, there is a critical need for skilled people who can conduct research in demanding polar environments.