Women Who Tech Dive Martina Burianová -

Martina Burianová

Women beyond diving limits

Name
Martina Burianová

Country of origin
Czech Republic

Where you live
Slovakia

Dive club / dive center
Pro-dive s.r.o.

Highest diving certifications
Full Cave and Normoxic TMX

How was your first dive?

My first dive was in the dark water of a quarry in the Czech Republic. It was cold, dark, and the visibility was bad – but I loved it. Since then, I’ve actually preferred dark, cold waters over diving in the sea or in clear water.

What made you transition from sport diving to technical diving?

My transition into technical diving was actually pretty smooth. From the beginning, I had a clear vision — I wanted to dive deeper, and my main goal was to explore caves and mines. And I was mostly surrounded by technical divers, so I had some really strong role models in that world.

What type of technical diving do you enjoy the most, and what draws you to it?

What I love the most are, without a doubt, caves and mines. But I’ve also really fallen in love with diving in reservoirs and dams where entire villages are now underwater. What fascinates me most about caves is seeing what nature can create — I love exploring rock formations and noticing even the smallest details. And that total darkness? For me, it’s a form of meditation. As for mines and flooded villages, it’s all about history. These places have a special kind of magic — everywhere you go, you feel fragments of the past around you. It’s incredible.

What do you consider when looking for technical diving training?

The most important thing for me when choosing a technical diving course is precision and thoroughness in training. Safety comes first and should always be a top priority, but another important factor is why we dive in the first place — we dive to enjoy it. Overly intense training sessions tend to lead to demotivation for the diver. It all depends on the instructor — how experienced they are, how they can motivate you, and how they guide you to become a responsible diver who wants to improve and move forward. And all of this with a friendly approach and a passion for the sport

Besides formal training, what other skills do you think are essential for technical diving?

Other important qualities are the ability to handle situations with a cool head, reliability, and teamwork. And above all, it’s crucial for someone to know their limits and aim to push them, not cross them.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in technical diving?

What I struggled with the most was that some men didn’t believe in my abilities, and I had to prove myself constantly. Whether it was carrying my gear through rough terrain or showing that I could stay calm and act without emotion underwater — I had to earn that trust. But on the other hand, I have to say that a lot of people have been incredibly supportive, and still are.

What message or advice would you give to other women considering technical diving?

To all the women out there thinking about getting into technical diving — don’t hesitate for a second! You absolutely have what it takes. If it’s your dream, chase it with everything you’ve got. Believe in yourself and dive in — you’re stronger than you think!

What has been your most memorable dive so far?

The most beautiful dive I’ve ever had — and one I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life — was in the Trou Madame cave in France. We spent a lot of time underwater and managed to go pretty far into the cave. At one point, our lights broke through to an air pocket near the ceiling, and the water lit up with all kinds of colors. Rays of light were shining everywhere — it felt like swimming in sunlight. After almost three hours in the darkness, it was such a surprising and powerful moment that I’ll never forget it. That’s what I adore about diving. It’s not merely a sport; it’s an experience that transports us into a magical world, where we can soar and feel the freedom of weightlessness.

Have you faced any really difficult moments while technical diving? How did you overcome them?

Absolutely. Mostly during tough training sessions, but I’ve also had a few situations underwater where things could’ve gone really wrong if I hadn’t stayed calm. What helps me is taking a deep breath, focusing on a single point in the water, giving myself a minute just to breathe — and then I’m able to get back to handling everything without letting that moment of stress take over.

What places in the world would you love to dive in, and why?

I definitely plan to explore some northern mines — Ojamo Mine, Tuna Hästberg, the Faroe Islands, and the mines in Belgium. And my big dream? The cenotes in Mexico. They’re places that have captivated me, and I truly believe I can experience so many amazing moments there.

What are your next goals in technical diving?

My goals in technical diving right now are to switch to CCR, finish my Full Trimix, and gain more experience. But my biggest challenge right now is finishing my SDI instructor course.

What do you value the most about your dive buddy, both in and out of the water?

What I really appreciate about my dive buddies is that we really click both above and below the water. Every single one of them is an absolutely perfect diver. I value the respect they have for me, and we know each other so well that sometimes we can literally read each other’s minds underwater. 🙂 I also really appreciate that we’re able to have fun, enjoy the dive to the fullest, and often have a great laugh even underwater.

3 replies

Bogdan says:
August 4, 2025 at 4:39 am

noszenie butli na ramieniu to chyba nie dobry pomysł?
Reply
Brayan says:
August 4, 2025 at 3:03 pm

You are SO COOL!
Reply
Brayan David Cortés Arce says:
August 4, 2025 at 3:06 pm

You are so cool! I’d like to steer my diving journey towards tech diving at some point. In your opinion, is there a particular order or sequence of courses that one should take for this?
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