All the Covid Diver Heroes rewarded with free liveaboard trips by Emperor Divers so far have worked in hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic – and the fifth of the projected eight winners is no exception.

Anaesthetist and intensive-care specialist Ingrid Stubelius, 38, wins a diving holiday afloat in the Maldives for her dedication to her work.

“For more than a year she has spent countless hours, nights and weekends helping the sickest people in intensive care at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden,” said her husband Fredrik in his nomination.

His wife had also provided “big support” for the entire medical team in her role as Swedish Medical Association safety representative, he said.

She had ensured that “people don’t get burnt out, that they can get their needed and well-deserved breaks between shifts and that all people, doctors and patients, are treated in the safest way possible, at the safest places available.

“Because of her commitment, she’s the hero for many heroes and her Superwoman Crocs couldn’t fit better!” concluded Fredrik. He also submitted photographs of his wife “in her happy place and surroundings” as his dive-buddy, adding that while her work had kept her away from scuba she was still likely to “show up at home with a nice mask-squeeze from time to time, due to her protective equipment!”.

Responding to the news of her prize, Ingrid wrote to Emperor that it “brought a little tear to my eye. As Fredrik says, under water is indeed a happy place for me and it is not an exaggeration to say that the dream of diving again is one of the things that have given me energy in this long and terrible fight against the pandemic.

“And joining an Emperor liveaboard in the Maldives is truly a dream come true! The thought alone makes me want to get on a plane right away, but it will have to wait a while longer.”

Emperor Divers has three more holidays to award, two in the Red Sea and one in the Maldives, and wants to hear from anyone who knows of a Covid diver hero who would appreciate a liveaboard break. They don’t necessarily have to be hospital workers – just explain in 100-200 words why they deserve a free trip, and their preferred destination.

A multi-national panel of Emperor staff will go on picking winners every two weeks. Final entries for the Red Sea should be in by 20 May and for the Maldives by 5 June this year.

Entries, comments and questions should be emailed here.