Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 04:44
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Lake Ecosystems in Antarctica

Have there been any challenges that you had to create a process in order to overcome them?

Fri, 11/21/2008 - 07:52

Robin Ellwood

Hello!
Yes, we face challenges that need solutions on a daily basis! It seems that even the simplest of plans hit snags and complications; that's all part of the challenge in working in an extreme environment!
Luckily all of our challenges have been manageable and we have been able to solve them! Things like: dive equipment freezing out at Lake Hoare - solution: we poured boiling water over the equipment to melt the ice chunks so that the equipment would work (this works in fresh water, but not so well in salt water!); having a tent zipper that broke - solution: tie the zipper pull to a tie down line, stuff clothes in the remaining gaps, and use the smaller door as an entrance; the tent poles for the huge polar haven didn't fit together in the same manner as other tents - solution: try other methods until we find one that works!
On a personal note, the challenges were staying at the proper temperature in terms of clothing layers to not be too hot or too cold! That's tricky to do!
One uncomfortable moment was when after one of my dives at Lake Hoare, where we use surface supply, the zipper pull on the helmet release broke off when the tenders were trying to get it off my head. So the helmet was stuck on my head. Now - this really was NOT a problem - I had plenty of air and the tenders were grabbing tools to be able to work the zipper. I simply did not like the feeling of being "trapped" in the helmet. I felt myself getting a bit anxious and had to calm my thoughts. Truly - there was no danger whatsoever - it was a bit of a mental challenge!
Hope that helps answer your question! Thanks for checking in!
Cheers,
Robin