If you ask any boy, or even an adult, about who these people are in spacesuits, then everyone, as one, without really thinking, will answer that they are cosmonauts. But such equipment as a spacesuit was originally intended for the conquerors of the deeps of the sea - divers. The word "spacesuit" in translation from Greek literally means "boat-man".
Why do we remember these people in spacesuits only when we hear congratulations on diver's day? Why did it happen that the profession of an astronaut became a dream for many boys and gained wide popularity, and such a no less dangerous and heroic profession as a diver is undeservedly forgotten and little known?
What kind of profession is this diver?
May 5 - Day of the diver. And what, in fact, do we know about this profession? Quite a bit, especially if you live away from the sea or a full-flowing river.
Scholars affirmatively report that this is a low-demand, especially dangerous and rather rare “harmful” profession, associated with a risk to life. And they will be mistaken: the work of divers is in demand and is applied very widely. Such specialists serve underwater structures, offshore oil platforms and hydroelectric power stations, conduct ship repair work, investigate water bodies, and participate in rescue operations. In general, there is nothing to list, since the people of this profession are specialists of a wide profile and perform under water what the locksmith and electric welder, researcher and scientist, rescuer and military do on the shore.
So the Day of the diver is the day of the brave, hardy and brave conquerors of the water element, the day of professionals of a wide profile. It’s only a shame that mankind knows very little about the achievements of people in this profession and undeservedly forgot the names of its best representatives.
Immersion in the historical depths
Diver's Day in Russia was officially announced as a holiday in 2002. Date of celebration - May 5, was not chosen by chance. It is dedicated to the day of the creation of the Kronstadt diving school - the first institution in the world where they taught diving.
It was May 5, 1882 at the initiative of the Russian naval commanders K.P. Pilkina and V.P. The Verkhovsky Emperor of Russia Alexander III signed a personal decree, which stipulated the main task of the school - the training of lower ranks and officers experienced in diving, for ship repair and underwater mining. Captain I Rank Vladimir Pavlovich Verkhovsky was able to fulfill the dream of his life - he was appointed the first head of the educational institution, which has no analogues in the whole world.
In honor of the recognition of the merits of Russian divers from this date, the current representatives of the profession began to count.
Currently, in Kronstadt, on the site of the former home of one of the founders of the diving school of the shipowner and shipbuilder M.O. Britnev opened the Maritime Museum. I would very much like grateful descendants to visit its walls not only on Diver's Day, but to be constantly interested in the history of heroic submariners.
Little mermaid divers
It would seem that the Day of the diver is a holiday for men. However, "there are women in Russian villages ..." who are not inferior to men in courage. It was they who devoted themselves to work in the depths of the sea.
One of them, she is the only female diver in the former USSR, is Galina Aleksandrovna Shurepova. On her account 3000 hours spent in depth. May 5th is a double holiday for Shurepova - every close person sends her a congratulation on diver's day and happy birthday.
By the way, Shurepova dubbed Guttiere performed by Anastasia Vertinskaya in the film Amphibian Man, the first Soviet science fiction film to be shot under water.
Shurepova’s record for staying under water was recently broken by Kharkiv resident Svetlana Matveychuk. This "little mermaid" managed to work out 4,500 underwater hours.
Join the ranks of divers!
On Diver’s Day, May 5, many people have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the profession not only on land, but also to immerse themselves in the depths of the sea together with the heroes of the occasion. First of all, of course, divers will not fail to take advantage of it, for who, if not they, can understand why the sea is so attracted to it and how beautiful the world of its inhabitants is!
Let diving enthusiasts and professional divers come closer to a common and friendly family, and the date of May 5 will be not only the opening of the season, but also an occasion to meet once again all those who are in love with the sea!
Congratulations
Diver Day is not complete without solemn gatherings, where veterans and deep-sea professionals are honored and awarded. A lot of kind words and good wishes sound in their honor.
We sincerely admire our heroes and join in the congratulations addressed to them:
Being a diver is not only honorable -
This is a profession of brave men.
At risk for life in any weather
You plunge into the depths of the abyss.
May luck accompany you everywhere -
The one who spoke with Neptune on "you",
He does not expect a miracle from nature, he is a deed
He proved to everyone who is the master of water!