Diving into another world

People can only guess what goes on under water. It has always fascinated them. With technical assistance, they dive off into this other world, where they are always only guests. Kurtz Ersa employee Jan Müssig down in “his” element.

Rescue diver and Kurtz Ersa employee Jan Müssig

02:27 min

Water has always been my element, I was able to dive at the age of three – ever before I could swim. As a small child, I often spent my holidays in Egypt and Turkey with my parents, where I spent almost all the holiday in the water with a snorkel and flippers. A long way below me, I saw the divers with their diving bottles and thought: I’d like to go down there too!

Active with the German Lifeguards’ Association
First taster course in diving at 11, I have been active with the German Lifeguards’ Association since primary school. I knew that they have divers working for them. When I was 17, I asked if I could do that. They let me! To start with, I did preliminary courses such as basic water rescue service, sanitary and radio certificates – and attended training for diving rescue. After three years of preparation, I took the exam and have now been active as a rescue diver for two years. I go out about 15 times a year now. It is possible that it is a winter night, with a water temperature of four degrees, sometimes you can hardly see your finger in front of your mask. Then you have to stay calm and rely on your sense of touch – and on the team from the local lifeguards’ group in Freudenberg. I think that it is great that I can help other people with my hobby.

Jan Müssig: born on 22 January 1990, zodiac sign Aquarius; 2006 to 2009 apprenticeship as an industrial buyer with Kurtz Ersa, then alternative national service, qualification to attend a University of Applied Science, doing his Bachelor of Engineering until the end of February 2015

Weightless hovering
In the meantime, I have done 160 dives – Lake Constance was the deepest: 44 metres, 75 minutes under water. At less depths, I have also been down with my diving partner for two and a half hours, the Main River is mainly only four to five metres in depth. No matter where, every time is like diving into another world. All you hear are the bubbles you exhale …

For me weightless hovering and total relaxation. My next objective: cave diving, the preliminary course is taking place, perhaps a diving instructor later. But at the moment, I am completely concentrating on my Bachelor of Engineering in Technical Logistic Management. I’ve already passed the exams and am writing my thesis at Ersa until the end of February – a permanent job there would be great!