Antarctic Diving For Science
The Office of the Under Secretary of Science - Scientific Diving Program (SDP), through an Interagency Agreement enacted in 2001, manages the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs-sponsored scientific diving activities at McMurdo Station, Palmer Station and from the research vessels L.M. GOULD and N.B. PALMER.

Approximately 30 scientists dive each year through US Antarctic Program (USAP) and over 4,800 scientific ice dives were logged for the 2000-2005 period. Formalized ice diving training is provided by the SDP by means of a biannual ice diving course in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The 40-year history of scientific diving under ice validates its effectiveness as a research tool in increasing our knowledge of polar science and will likely increase during this International Polar Year. The USAP scientific diving exposures in support of underwater research enjoy a remarkable safety record and scientific productivity. A greater understanding and mitigation of the physiological impacts of cold-water diving and the technological development of ice diving equipment enables this support of scientific research in extreme polar environments.

See 2007 International Polar Diving Workshop Proceedings

Arctic Ice Diving Course
Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

GOALS
The Arctic is of increasing commercial, scientific, and recreational importance, as evidenced by the focus of the International Polar Year. This results in the need for formal diver training and specialized equipment for conducting ice diving operations.
This course is mainly aimed at:
• Individuals working in extreme environments, in particular personnel in leadership positions responsible for diving operations in the Arctic;
• Personnel responsible for development, testing, production, and maintenance of equipment to be used in ice diving environments;
• Medical personnel and physiologists interested in working on problems related to cold and extreme environments, including accident management and cold injuries;
• Scientists, commercial, and military personnel participating in diving expeditions in cold and extreme environments.

Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and practical work (ice diving!) participants will gain a working knowledge of ice diving operations and pre-/ post-dive equipment maintenance. There is a screening process for participants to ensure appropriate diving experience (information: langm@si.edu)

LOCATION
The course will be held in Ny-Ålesund, located on Spitsbergen (78°N), the largest island of the Svalbard group. This settlement is a permanent international research station, accessible only through special permits. Originally a mining town where many famous polar explorers (Amundsen, Nobile, Ellsworth) have started their expeditions to the North Pole, this station now performs important biological, astrophysical, and meteorological research. The station is accessible using boats in summer and by small plane from Longyearbyen in winter. There is regular air service from Tromsø, Norway. In March, the average temperature is - 15°C.

COURSE CONTENT
• The arctic environment • Cold injuries and hypothermia • Influence of cold on work performance • Nutritional requirement in the Arctic • Clothing for the cold • Hygiene and prevention of injuries • Diving emergencies and accident treatment • Hazards, how to prevent and survive them • How to face a polar bear • Medical and physiological aspects of cold water diving • Diving procedures • Specialized diving modes • Preparing scuba equipment for - 1.8°C • Diving operations

Participants are encouraged to bring their own specialized equipment to the course. Tanks and weights will be provided. A limited amount of other equipment will also be provided. Time for discussions and demonstrations has been scheduled. Course size is limited to 15 diving participants. The course language is English.

COURSE DIRECTORS AND ORGANIZATION

Alf O. Brubakk, MD, PhD. Professor of Environmental Physiology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Bård Holand, MSc (Engineering). Professor of Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Senior Engineer Thelma AS
Michael A. Lang, Scientific Diving Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Johan Skulman, MSc (Sports). Senior Engineer Thelma AS. Survival Instructor and former officer in the Swedish Armed Forces.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, these instructors have taught “Work and Survival in Extreme Environments” courses - organized through Thelma AS (earlier by SINTEF) - at Svalbard. They all have extensive experience in both theoretical and practical aspects of extreme environments and how to protect against them.

This course is jointly organized by the Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Medical Faculty, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Thelma AS, Trondheim, Norway. Thelma is a newly established company, specializing in the testing and development of equipment and systems for extreme environments.

COST
Course costs are NOK 27,000, which covers all travel and subsistence from Longyearbyen, rental of snow scooters, all necessary top-side equipment, as well as course material. Divers must bring their complete set of ice-diving equipment, except for weights and cylinders. There is a weight limit of 20 kg on the plane from Longyearbyen to Ny-Ålesund. Additional weight will be charged at NOK 28 / kg.