Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 17:41
Forums
Antarctic Undersea ROV 08

HI,

Im Luke from Mrs. Eubanks class and i was wondering how long your under water?

Do you swim with animals while your down there?

How long do u have to pack and what do you pack?

Is it fun to be in the antarctic?

And are you gonna be a building or on a shi while you do this?

 

From

                                                                                           Smile-Luke 

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 18:35

Cameo Slaybaugh

Hi Luke -
I was really excited to get your questions. 
I won't get to go under the water because you have to have special training.  I am a scuba diver but this job requires that you be able to do a special type of scuba diving called "dry suit diving".  I am planning on jumping in the water at least one time for what they call the "polar plunge."  I think the water will be very, very cold.  I also will get to be a dive tender and help the scuba divers get in and out of the water. 
The divers swim with the animals in the water including different kinds of fish and maybe a seal or two.
I started packing back in August and I have already sent a duffle bag full of stuff to Antarctica.  I still have a bunch more to take and I have made a list and just like Santa Claus, I am checking it twice.
This will be my first trip to Antarctica but I am positive that it wil be fun, fun, fun!  Stacy is the scientist that is leading my research team and she has been to Antarctica a bunch of times and she told me that there will be lots of fun things to do.
I will be living at McMurdo Station which has over 1000 people from many different countries.  We will be taking lots of day trips and going on a helicopter (Yippee!)
I leave on November 4th for Antarctica and I would be happy to let you know what kinds of fun things we do and what types of animals we see.
Thanks again for all of your great questions and please let me know if you have any more.
Cameo :) 
P.S. Please tell Ms. Eubanks that I said "Hi."