Jäädiving

Jäädiving, also known as ice diving, is a specialized form of scuba diving performed in or under ice formations. This activity requires advanced training and specialized equipment due to the extreme conditions and inherent risks. Divers typically operate in very cold water, often near freezing point, necessitating drysuits with significant thermal insulation. The underwater environment is characterized by limited visibility and the presence of ice overhead, which restricts movement and requires careful navigation.

Safety is paramount in jäädiving. Divers are usually tethered to the surface with a safety line to ensure they can be guided back to the entry point, especially in low-visibility situations. A comprehensive understanding of ice conditions, including potential hazards like ice cracks or unstable formations, is essential. Jäädiving is often undertaken for scientific research, such as studying Arctic or Antarctic marine life, or for recreational purposes by experienced divers seeking a unique challenge. Specialized training courses cover techniques for managing buoyancy, line handling, and emergency procedures tailored to the ice diving environment. The beauty of the frozen underwater world, with its unique light penetration and ice formations, makes it an attractive, albeit demanding, pursuit for a select group of divers.