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Polar Diving information
These voyages are not for beginners, you'll have to be a very experienced diver and must be familiar with cold water diving and dry suit diving (at least 20 dives). Before departure you will have to show an internationally accepted diving certificate, diver's logbook and a statement from your doctor (not older than two years) stating that you are physically healthy to practice scuba diving.
Safety First
Diving in these remote Polar areas is no more dangerous than normal scuba diving as long as one important rule is adhered to: Safety First ! All divers looking for dangerous stunts or want to make deep dives are kindly asked to stay at home!!
There is no decompression chamber in Antarctica or Spitsbergen. Medical care in these polar regions is almost non-existent and there is hardly any infrastructure. Although we have a doctor on board the vessel for first aid assistance, we cannot accept risky ventures from any of our divers.
If our dive master feels that the diver does not meet the necessary experience, he can decide to exclude the diver from the dive program (this decision will be made for your own safety). In this case, Oceanwide Expeditions cannot be held (financially) responsible and does not grant any claims. All divers are required to follow the instructions of the dive master and guides at all times. All participants are diving 100 % at their own risk, which is also the case while on land during the excursions.
Diving operation & procedures
We plan at least one to two dives per day, but an exact number of dives cannot be given. It all depends on ice and weather conditions.
Check Dive
The voyage will start with a check-dive so all divers can get used to the cold water and try out their equipment and the number of weights they need. Before each dive, there will be a briefing about the location of the site, the weather and ice conditions and the procedure of the dive.
Dive Buddy
The dives will be done on a 'buddy system' basis. There will not be a dive guide in the water to accompany and lead the divers. The guides will stay on the surface for the divers' safety and they will check you ‘out' and ‘in' after each dive. The divers are expected to be experienced enough to read their compass, depth gauges and look after each other in order to have a safe dive.
Dive equipment
On board we have our own compressor (200 liters). Approximately 35 steel bottles of 12 liters 200 bar (DIN and Yoke connection) with two separate outlets and weights (hard). We do not have any rentals on board.
We have a very large aft deck for preparing each dive (approx. 300 square meters). You don't need to store your dive gear in your cabin; there is plenty of room for your gear on the deck or the holds on the deck. Only take your regulator with you in your cabin.
Equipment you must bring
Don't bring any new equipment on this expedition that you have not already tested in the water and are very familiar with. The Arctic and Antarctica are not the place to test out new equipment. Please make sure that you have done at least 4 or 5 dives with your new equipment before coming on board.
- Dry suit with hood
- Thick and warm underwater garment (2 sets), dry gloves or extra under gloves
- 2 Freeze protected regulators, because we dive with special bottles with two separate outlets
- Pressure gage
- Stabilizing jacket or some kind of BC with quick release
- Depth gage, watch or computer
- Compass
- Knife and a torch
- Mask, fins and snorkel
- Weight belt (weights available on board)
Each diver is expected to prepare his own equipment well in advance prior to each dive. Bring your own spare parts for your regulators and dry suit in case of leakage or damage. The diver will have to carry his own equipment in and out of the zodiac and sometimes up and down the gangway.
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