Luminox: Tell us about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living, and what shaped you growing up.
Sverrir: I live in Kópavogur, one of the Reykjavik capital district communities. I work as a Firefighter/EMT with the Capital district Fire and Emergency services, since 2005. I am an instructor for ICE-SAR in first aid and throught ICE-SAR and WMA an instructor for Wilderness first responders. I am a married father of two. I had a “normal“ childhood with typical ups and downs.
Luminox: How did your connection to Iceland’s outdoors begin?
Sverrir: Growing up in the ´80 and ´90 the outdoors was a part of life. Trips with family and friends, camping, hiking etc. I joined the boy scouts and received the standard basic training there.
Luminox: What first inspired you to volunteer with ICE-SAR?
Sverrir: The ICE-SAR culture runs in families so to speak. My older brother is 19 years older than me, understandably an idol of mine as a child, is an ICE-SAR member and that, not only inspired me, it almost was an obligation to carry on the tradition. I was expected to join. And back in 1996 I joined the basic ICE-SAR training program.
Luminox: What does being part of an all-volunteer rescue force mean to you personally?
Sverrir: In a community like ours, here far out in the north Atlantic ocean, we adopt a mentality of unity. I for one want to be a part of the solution to a problem faced by the community rather than being an idle bystander or even a part of the problem. When there is no monetary gain involved you do your best for your fellow human being for the sake of them and them only. In the training of new members you grow by seeing them grow, the benefit is in the soul, not the wallet.
Luminox: Can you share a rescue mission or moment that has stayed with you — one that challenged you or reminded you why you serve?
Sverrir: In recent years I have mostly been working rescue missions as a professional, but one incident was very eye-opening. During the recent seismic unrest in the Reykjanes peninsula we were working a rescue mission involving a search for a victim in a deep crack formed by the magma intrusion under the town of Grindavík. We were lowered into the 30m deep 3m wide crack by a crane. Knowing we were in an earthquake prone area, with the threat of an eruption imminent every fiber in your body is screaming “get out“. I was, along with a college in a small basket being lowered down. Looking around I saw a 10people strong team of volunteers all geared up and ready to jump in for the rescue if something went south. I was on the job, secured by them, people doing this by choice as volunteers. I will never forget that feeling.
Luminox: How have you seen your work with ICE-SAR make a difference in your community — or even save a life?
Sverrir: With the weather being as it is here in the north Atlantic I must say that during fierce winter storms we mobilize to rescue the stranded, and preserve without question or asking who picks up the bill, must be the communities best use of our force on a day to day bases.
Luminox: Iceland’s landscape can be unforgiving. What environments test you the most — glaciers, storms, mountains, the ocean, canyons or something else?
Sverrir: We must take into consideration the fact that tests are both physical and mental. Glacier or highland operations in foul weather are physically challenging but being a part of a lost person search has a mental load that is hard to ignore. Someone’s child, father, brother or mother is missing and our obligation is to find them alive or to bring their remains back to their loved ones.
Luminox: How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically to respond at any moment, often in the harshest conditions?
Sverrir: The gear is crucial for any operation, one must have the discipline to keep the gear ready 365 days a year. Physical fitness is even more crucial because we move in when others back down. And all that must be accompanied with a mental focus to see through the assignment to the end.
Luminox: What activities or adventures do you pursue outside of ICE-SAR that keep your spirit for exploration alive?
Sverrir: Being blessed with the Icelandic nature I tend to find myself jogging or hiking just to be with nature. It puts things into perspective.
Luminox: What has ICE-SAR taught you about resilience — emotional, physical, or psychological?
Sverrir: The biggest learning curve comes during basic training, when you are pushed outside your perceived limits. Carrying on well after you thought you could not go on. Pushing harder after you are exhausted, finding out that physical and psychological challenges are seldomly so large that you, with help from your fellow volunteers, cannot overcome them.
Luminox: In moments when conditions get dangerous, what keeps you calm and focused?
Sverrir: Training prepares you, focus and attention to detail keeps you safe. That along with a good team gets you far. Several seconds spent on “box breathing“ technique calms the nerves.
Luminox: How important is dependable gear in your line of work — especially when you face extreme weather, limited visibility, or long hours in the field?
Sverrir: In the modern forest of outdoor gear it can be hard to find what works and what not. One must look at functionality, quality and usability more than a brand or advertising.
Luminox: How does your watch support you during missions?
Sverrir: Accuracy is key. Ease of use and when getting older like I am, clear and readable face is a good quality.
Luminox: When every minute can mean saving a life, how does the idea that “Every Second Counts” resonate with you in the field?
Sverrir: As an EMT I have seen and felt the seconds tick by, feeling like forever. The look on a face, the sound of a breath the thump of a beating heart felt when palpating pulse on a injured or sick person brings a full understanding of this idea.
Luminox: Is there one lesson from your ICE-SAR experience that you carry into the rest of your life?
Sverrir: Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Luminox: What advice would you give someone who dreams of adventure and exploration?
Sverrir: Gather knowledge, plan ahead and don‘t try to do all at once. Adventure can come in the smallest of things. Once you open your eyes to that, small adventures are taking place at your feet every day.
Sverrir’s Pick: ICE-SAR, 45 mm, Outdoor Explorer Watch - 1083
