Polar Scientific Diving Program is aimed to train scientific divers to develop skills and knowledge for working on research projects carried out in polar conditions. Training includes exposure management, moving and transport on ice and snow, location preparation, planning and carrying out under ice diving operations.
The program will be based at Kilpisjärvi Biological Station in Arctic Northern Finland with diving carried out in the ice-covered lake directly in front.
The course covers the following areas:
- Polar environment exposure management
- Snow and ice logistics
- Snow mobile use (driving, towing sleds and basic care/maintenance)
- Establishment of dive site, ice holes, shelter, ladders and other equipment
- Risk management for under ice diving
- Under ice and cold water diving protocols
- Twin cylinder equipment, protocols and practical use
- Scientific techniques for under ice environment research
- Supervision and planning of under ice operations
- 18 years old
- Advanced Open Water / CMAS 2* or equivalent,
- 30 Logged Dives
- Drysuit/ Cold Water Experience
- One of the following: Scientific Dive qualification / Bachelor Degree (or enrolled) in a relevant field / Involvement in scientific organisation
Edd Stockdale, Finnish Scientific Diving Academy Coordinator, Finland
Edd is a highly experienced expedition diver involved in many research projects around the world. He is also the coordinator of the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy and develops training programs to modernise scientific diving protocols and develop advanced underwater skills which are essential for the next generation of marine scientists.
The cost for the program (1800€) covers all training, diving activities, twin cylinders and setups and specialist equipment used on program. Storage boxes and ice transport equipment will also be supplied.
As the Kilpisjärvi station is in a remote area, accommodation and food will be organised in a package on site. Full package includes: Twin shared accommodation 1st-9th March, 1st Dinner, March 2nd-8th Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, March 9 th Breakfast.
Price is 570€ for participants of the program. This will be paid directly to the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station at end of program Students from University of Helsinki and other universities have special pricing options for this package.
There are buses from Tromsø and Rovaniemi direct to the research station. Car pooling can also be arranged between participants.
Scientific diving is the occupational form of diving to carry out research and data recording underwater by trained teams, sitting separate to both sport and commercial/ construction diving. As an occupation it is generally carried out by scientists trained as divers but can included diving specialists with a scientific background.
Finland has historically always had a strong core of scientific diving research and technique development, both in marine biology and maritime archeology fields. Sadly in the last 15 year this has dropped off with the reduction funding for marine research and option for training being more limited. To overcome this a new project was established to revitalise the training of scientific divers in Finland and create a new base for this. This was realised by the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy (FSDA) , based at the University of Helsinki Tvärminne Zoological Station.
The initial goal of the FSDA is to train European recognised scientific divers generating a new generation of marine scientists with long-term plans to establish as a leading cold water based scientific diving training facility.
The Finnish Scientific Diving Academy is funded by the Antero and Merja Parma Foundation and Weisell Foundation for an initial three year establishment process.