27 October 2017 Antarctic Field Safety Training!

Can you light a camp stove? Can you set a tent? I am guessing most of you are thinking, "Of course, who can't?" Extreme weather can certainly wreak havoc with the best laid plans, but surely, these are pretty simple tasks aren't they? I am an avid camper and pride myself on being able to handle these tasks or at least I did until today! Welcome to Antarctic Field Safety training 101. Tent setting and stoves were part of that training along with cold weather realities and preparedness. I truly thought I would be fine for this training, but add in odd tents with poles on the inside rather than the outside and a camp stove that is completely foreign and well, all bets are off! My team members had no problem lighting the camp stove and well, the tent is up! I am not sure all the poles are in the exact right places but it is standing! Could we do this in the wind and outdoor elements of the hostile Antarctic? Only time will tell! Though truly I am hoping that it will never come to us needing these supplies and training! Should it happen, well, I won't give up trying!

Here are a few pics from the day's training with mountaineer, Pete Biskind. Pete originally hails from Ohio and spent some four hours of training with us today. He was patient and kind even through all of our questions and craziness! He showed us some great pics of frostbite...my kind of teacher!

Emergency Survival Kit, for two people for three days. Here, Pete is explaining the food pouches and how they work! Emergency kit supplies, including TP, food and drinks. Tent stakes, ice screw, ropes, fuel and maybe some reading material and a deck of cards are also included in the survival pack! Tent, bag and tarp round out the supplies of the emergency survival kit. Pete teaching us how to properly put together and light the camp stove while Dr. Xie looks on. Dr. Gao is hard at work lighting the camp stove! A new experience for us all! We have success! A properly lit camp stove. Learning how to put up the survival tent! Our attempt at our tent! The poles are all inside and are pretty close to being in the right spots!

Flat lorax has been busy traveling all over the base today. He did however make time for his journal appearance. These cards are from Caleb and Jaden.

Flat Lorax postcards for Caleb in 1st grade and Jaden in HS!