Armed forces and rescue

Training for emergencies: ice diving in the lake

In order to be able to act better in an emergency, this week the combat swimmers of the Hunting Command are training together with the Austrian Water Rescue Carinthia how to rescue and handle casualties in Lake Turrach. But what is being trained for an emergency?

A total of ten people, including pioneer divers, take part in the one-week ice diving course. The functionality of the equipment is tested under extreme conditions. They practise: Search, rescue and working under the ice layer in water around two degrees cold - during the day and also at night. 

What is most demanding for the body?
"On the one hand, the high altitude of the lake, which is almost 1,800 meters above sea level, and on the other, the icy cold and the physical and psychological effects on the human body," said the Carinthian military command. Precautionary measures and preparations regarding the pressure difference after leaving the water must not be neglected.

Only one connection to the outside world!
The divers, who have to work in the ice-cold water for long periods in low visibility, have only a small entry and exit hole as their only connection to the outside world. The soldiers dive up to 20 meters deep into the lake.