Sverrir Árnason
Firefighter | EMT | Icelandic Search & Rescue
In Iceland—where storms strike without warning, glaciers shift, and the earth can split open beneath your feet—few people stand as steady and committed as the Icelandic Association of Search and Rescue.
To celebrate the work the team do, day and night 365 days a year, we caught up with ICE-SAR team member, Sverrir Árnason, a professional Firefighter and EMT in Reykjavik. Sverrir dedicates his life to serving others in some of the harshest landscapes on earth. Luminox is proud to honor him (on behalf of the whole ICE-SAR team) as our next Everyday Hero.
BORN INTO THE WILD
Sverrir lives in Kópavogur, part of the Reykjavik capital district, and is a married father of two. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, he experienced the outdoors not as recreation, but as a natural part of everyday life. Camping trips, hikes with family, and his years in the boy scouts nurtured his early respect for Iceland’s vast wilderness.
Those formative experiences taught him to prepare, to stay aware, and to find comfort in environments many find intimidating—skills that would later shape his future in emergency services and search and rescue.
A FAMILY TRADITION OF SERVICE
The call to join ICE-SAR came naturally. His older brother—nineteen years his senior and a childhood idol—was already part of the rescue community. In Iceland, a culture of volunteering runs deep, and rescue work often becomes a family tradition. Sverrir felt both inspired and expected to continue the legacy.
In 1996, he joined ICE-SAR’s basic training program, stepping into a volunteer community built on unity, commitment, and service with no expectation of reward.
Alongside volunteering, Sverrir has served with the Capital District Fire and Emergency Services since 2005 and teaches first aid and Wilderness First Responder courses to new recruits.
INTO THE EARTH: A DEFINING MISSION
One of the most powerful moments in Sverrir’s career occurred during recent seismic ground unrest on the Reykjanes peninsula. A deep crack had opened in the Earth beneath the town of Grindavík due to magma intrusion, and a person was believed to be trapped inside.
Sverrir and a colleague were lowered 30 meters into the fracture in a small basket, knowing an eruption could occur at any moment. Every instinct told them to get out—but above them stood a full ICE-SAR volunteer team, ready to step in, fully geared and willing to risk their lives for the mission. The experience left a lasting impression. “I will never forget that feeling,” he says. It was a reminder of the strength of Iceland’s volunteer rescue culture—people who choose, without compensation, to protect others.
THE LAND OF ICE & FIRE
Iceland is one of the world’s most challenging rescue environments. Glaciers, volcanic eruptions, violent mega storms, the roaring Atlantic, mountains, canyons—each demands a different kind of strength.
For Sverrir, the hardest missions aren’t always the most physically demanding. Searches for missing people carry a unique emotional weight. “Someone’s child, father, brother or mother is missing,” he reflects. “Our obligation is to find them or bring their remains home.”
During fierce winter storms, ICE-SAR mobilizes to rescue stranded residents and travelers without question or hesitation. It’s one of the most significant and consistent ways they protect the community.
PREPARATION IS KEY
Readiness is everything. Sverrir maintains his gear meticulously—365 days a year—because when conditions turn extreme, rescuers step in while others retreat. Physical fitness is equally essential, supported by a personal routine of jogging and hiking throughout Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Nature helps him reset and keep perspective, grounding him for any challenge ahead.
Sverrir believes adventure doesn’t require extremes. It begins with knowledge, preparation, and awareness. Even the smallest experiences can hold adventure if you’re willing to see them. His guiding philosophy: “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
RESILIENCE THAT RUNS DEEP
Through ICE-SAR, Sverrir learned to push beyond what he once believed were his limits. Basic training alone teaches volunteers how to endure both physical exhaustion and psychological pressure. With the support of a strong team, he learned that most obstacles—even the toughest—can be overcome.
When danger strikes, training takes over. Focus, attention to detail, and trust in his team keep him calm. Sometimes, just a few seconds of steady box breathing is enough to regain control and continue the mission.
SECONDS MATTER
In Sverrir’s world, dependable gear is more than helpful—it’s essential. Iceland’s weather can change instantly, visibility can vanish, and missions can stretch for hours or days. Functionality and quality matter far more than branding. His watch must be accurate, easy to read, and built to perform in the worst conditions. As an EMT, Sverrir knows firsthand how critical every moment can be. He has felt seconds stretch while monitoring a patient—listening to a breath, feeling for a pulse, watching for a sign of life.
For him, Every Second Counts is a reality.
Sverrir Árnason represents the spirit of a true Everyday Hero. He enters Iceland’s most dangerous landscapes not for recognition, but because he believes no one should face them alone. His courage, his deep sense of duty, and his commitment to community reflect the values Luminox stands for. Just as our watches are built for extreme environments—from Arctic storms to volcanic terrain—Sverrir lives each day prepared for the unexpected. He reminds us why reliability matters, why resilience matters, and why every second truly counts. We are proud to honor him as part of the Luminox Everyday Hero series.
Read full interview here.
