Kategorie: News
Cave diving community celebrates a successful weekend
The former mine in Nuttlar became the venue for a special event at the end of June 2026: over the weekend of 27 and 28 June, nearly 90 members of the cave diving community came together – including those new to the sport, experienced divers, instructors and speakers. The PATD event offered a successful blend of theoretical knowledge, practical experience and collegial exchange in the impressive setting of the disused mine.
The lecture programme was organised by five experts with a wide range of specialisms: whilst Dominik Elsässer focused on decompression theory, Vincent Kessler and Nico Gerdau reported on their exploration dives. Dr Thorsten Schmid shed light on aspects of diving medicine, and Ralph Wilhelm took the participants on a journey through time, exploring the development of technical diving.
Event highlights (from the programme):
Decompression theory – the latest scientific findings presented in a practical way. Dominik Elsässer, who co-authored the German-language standard work *Dekotheorie* with Veronika Sievers in 2025, guided the audience through this fascinating topic. The speaker, who was awarded the TU Dortmund Teaching Prize (2020) for exceptional teaching achievements, knew how to present complex scientific content in an accessible and engaging manner.
Diving medicine – Dr Thorsten Schmid drew on his extensive expertise as an emergency physician, anaesthetist, instructor and specialist in high-altitude air rescue. His talk focused on diving emergencies and first aid – particularly in situations where professional emergency services cannot arrive within minutes. Participants gained valuable knowledge that goes far beyond standard first-aid courses and is specifically tailored to the needs of divers.
Expedition dives – fascinating reports on recent discoveries. The recent past has brought exciting news from European cave systems. A remarkable shift is taking place: instead of large-scale expeditions involving extensive material resources, compact teams with specialised equipment are now reaching new areas at an impressive pace. Vincent Kessler and Nico Gerdau provided exclusive insights into these thrilling ventures.
Cave diving – practical application
However, the focus was clearly on practical application: throughout the weekend, six experienced cave diving instructors each guided more than 40 interested participants through the underground waterways, enabling them to take their first steps in this specialised field of diving. In addition, certified cave divers had the opportunity to explore the mine on their own.
Various exhibitors rounded off the programme: Frank Robrecht presented the Aqor range, Timo Virow provided comprehensive information on insurance solutions for divers, and the Sauerland Diving School, in collaboration with Santi, showcased various heating systems that could be tested on site.
The convivial finale took place in Line 73 at Bigger railway station, where the weekend came to a close in a relaxed atmosphere over a buffet with drinks.
Once the event was over, everyone looked thoroughly satisfied – with a unanimous desire to repeat such an event.
The organisers, Marvin and Volker, gave a positive assessment: the considerable effort put into organisation, planning and preparation had truly been worth it.
Special thanks go to the Nuttlar Mine, which trustingly made its premises available exclusively for the event. Recognition is also due to all the volunteers and, above all, the participants. Although the weekend saw the highest temperatures of the year, everyone present showed discipline and dedication – key factors in the success of this extraordinary gathering.
Further information:
PATD https://www.patd.de/
Nuttlar Mine https://www.bergwerktauchen.de/