Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 22/98) - Valeri Chudinov has come a long way to jump in the water.

Chudinov, born in Archangel, Russia, has plenty of experience as a diver. He received his professional diploma in Russia, is certified by the Russian Navy, with which he spent 11 years, including three on a nuclear submarine, and worked on the bridge between New Brunswick and P.E.I.

"Big difference," he said, comparing his six months in Yellowknife with his previous jobs around the world. "Lots of work in lots of countries. Young guys coming out of school, going into water think they're superman. Here, two guys, very experienced. Very safe job."

The two guys he is referring to are Wayne Gzowski and George Pieper, proprietors of Arctic Divers Ltd. For the past 25 years, the duo have been diving all over the North.

Winter and spring are the peak periods for commercial divers. Arctic Divers has been contracted to dive in Lac de Gras, where Diavik's diamond mine site is undergoing an environmental assessment. At the BHP mine, diamonds clearly are visible underwater, Chudikov said, noting that he wasn't allowed to take any.

The equipment makes the occupation viable. Neoprene diving suits have air circulating through them so the pressure isn't intense and the cold -3 C ocean water isn't felt through it.

"Cold outside, no cold in water," Chudinov noted.

The job hazards include being crushed by machinery or pipelines and getting sucked into air intakes.

Dive helmets are fitted with lights and video cameras so assignment can be reviewed. For safety purposes, the helmets also contain microphones so the divers' breathing can be heard and instructions can be relayed through the dive radio.

"Communication is essential," Gzowski said.

Generally, the work is limited to 40 metres, otherwise a decompression chamber is needed. At a depth of 20 metres, a diver can remain submerged for about an hour. If a diver stays under too long, they absorb too much carbon dioxide, which is exhaled, and develop "the bends."

In that event, they must remain underwater and slowly be decompressed with oxygen. Otherwise severe cramping and paralysis can occur.

There is plenty of company under the sea. Depending on the location, sculpan fish, pink sea anemone, seals, starfish, cod and herring

can be found. Off Nanisivik's shoreline, Greenland sharks often loom but they are harmless, according to Gzowski.