Extreme first aid

In Mid October, I am travelling to the beautiful and remote Antarctica to conduct an aerial photography campaign. I will be based at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) main research station on the Antarctic Peninsula, Rothera.

All staff going to Antarctica with BAS have to undertake a special first aid course conducted by the BAS Medical Unit. I have just completed this, and it was a lot of fun. I feel much more prepared for the trip.

As well as the usual CPR training, we did a day of ‘scenarios’, with actors, fake blood and medical props, like bandages, splints and stretchers. We also learned how to administer injections, use an ECG machine and hook up a drip. Interjected were a number of rather grim lectures on various types of injury. Not for the squeamish.

All this took place at Girton College in Cambridge.