Week 3: Survival Training

So the week began with a blizzard, gusting up to 70knots (roughly 140km/hr) while a small team completed our survival training in Antarctica. Survival training included navigation via map, compass and GPS. It also included sleeping out in the elements in a bivouac or divvy (human chip packet) and consuming dehydrated meals while using a FUD (female urinary device) to help you pee into a bottle (grey water needs to be disposed of appropriately).

Despite the noise and fear of blowing away we all survived the night and returned wind swept and tired the following day.

This was the week that the winterers returned to Australia (RTA) after spending 12 months at Casey Station. 4 winterers remained to handover the station to the incoming Summer and particularly winter crews to ensure an easy transition. We celebrated with a 4 course, 5 star meal with wine. It was a memorable evening and lots of dancing ensued after to help work off all the energy we had just consumed!

It also meant a colleague, A/Prof David Smart came to conduct a specialist review of the diving programme in Antarctica, which is what I am helping to medically support as a component of my Summer contract.

Davids' first iceberg!

Grant (winter Dr) and I in front of the fuel line.

 James, the winter Dr from Mawson also flew out this week after most of the year at his station due to contractual obligations back home. We enjoyed his company for only a short night, but had great fun in the 3hr Hagguland trip from station to the aerodrome.

Grant, James and I in front of the Antarctic circle on the way to Wilkins skiway.

 The A319 runs almost weekly flights of 4.5 hours during the beginning and end of Summer from Hobart, Tasmania, transporting personnel, resupply items and allowing potential for an areomedical retrieval should it be required. It also aids international Antarctic projects by acting as a gateway to Antarctica, as opposed to the 8-10 day voyage on the icebreaker, Aurora Australis.

Wilkins aerodrome

Farewell to the Winter crew.

While it was sad to see the winter crew leave, anticipation for the upcoming Summer months for resupply and settling in for the new crew hit with fervour. We were looking forward to surviving the cold and isolation of Antarctica, but also the claustrophobia and overwhelming personality of station life.