Diving in Antrctica 'Without getting wet'

Now that there are only 22 people on base we all try and help others out with jobs if more people are required. As science and diving is one of the most important things which still carries on through the winter it has to be done safety and back up procedures need to be in place. As the diving done here is for a business then it is classed as commercial diving so carries even more legislation. One of those being the need to have the facilities of a Re-compression chamber. In the case of a diver having a rapid uncontrolled ascent they would have to be put into the chamber to be treated for De-compression sickness or 'the bends'. The chamber can also be used for other illnesses including Oxygen toxicity and Helium toxicity.
The chamber here at Rothera is a twin lock chamber, which means there are two parts to the chamber enabling people to pass through the primary pressure lock into the main chamber without having to de-pressurise the whole chamber

As an advanced first aider and diver i had the opportunity to get trained in the use of the chamber and gain a PADI qualification from our base dive officer. Today i had my first dive in the chamber. I was sent down to a depth of 18 metres and whilst at that depth went through a thorough examination by the base doctor who was also in the chamber with me. Unfortunately you can't take any cameras, watches, jewellery or anything magnetic and clothing must be pure cotton as there is a very large risk of fire in the oxygen enriched atmosphere. So no photos of me inside.


This is the depth gauge showing the depth of 18 metres. It is quite a funny sensation as you go down and have to constantly equalise the pressure in your air spaces. Every ones voice gets high pitched at depth and it feels like you need to be talking with a slight Irish accent.
I will get the chance to do quite a few more dives in the chamber during the winter for training purposes.