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Warnings from the Ice
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Classroom Activity
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Objective
To plan a survival pack for severe Antarctic weather.
- copy of "The Icy Survival" student handouts
Icy Survival (PDF or
HTML)
Antarctic Conditions Fact Sheet (PDF or
HTML)
Scientists in Antarctica often work in mobile teams that venture out on the
ice to do research. They bring survival equipment in case conditions such as
storms, accidents, or equipment failure prevent them from returning to camp. In
this activity students plan a standard survival pack that
would enable them to endure severe weather for 24 hours. Divide students into
teams of four and distribute to each student the "Icy Survival" student handout and
the "Antarctic Conditions Fact Sheet" student handout. Have students identify pack items they consider essential or not. After teams make their
selections, have them compare lists, discuss how they would use their items,
and revise their packs based on their discussions. To conclude, have students
consider what they would need to survive in a hot desert environment and
compare items in both cold and hot packs and their reasons for including
each.
Conditions are so extreme in Antarctica that scientists expend more energy on
surviving than they do on research. In actuality there are several types of
survival packs. There are first-aid packs; helicopter emergency transport
packs; deep-field packs for those working distances away from the base camp,
and packs for crevasse rescues. This activity uses a combination of items from
the helicopter and deep-field packs.
In a worst-case scenario, a group might have to wait out a storm in order to
make safe passage back to base camp. However, communication and transportation
systems have become so advanced that it is unlikely anyone would be left for
days. Students choices for their packs may vary. Each group should choose a
total of 16 items: 8 items that are the same for each pack and 8 items that are
shared by the group (2 per pack). Use the chart to the right as a general guide
for determining essential and non-essential items.
Possible items for survival pack
|
Essential |
Not Essential |
Why? |
individual first-aid kit |
X |
|
To treat wounds or illnesses |
sleeping bag, thermal sleeping pad |
X |
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To hold body heat in and keep cold out |
socks/mittens/face mask |
X |
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To have as spares in case originals are lost or get wet |
gorp, chocolate bar |
X |
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High-energy carbohydrates to keep digestive system working and release energy quickly |
dehydrated food |
X |
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Carbohydrates to keep body warm |
1/2 gallon water |
X |
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To prevent dehydration (a serious problem in the dry Antarctic), and to rehydrate food |
tent* |
X |
|
To provide shelter against wind and to protect body warmth |
backpacking stove/kerosene* |
X |
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To warm food and water, which freeze in a pack, for eating |
matches* |
X |
|
To light stove |
pot and pan set* |
X |
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To prepare hot water and cook food |
snow shove/ice saw* |
X |
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To build a snow wall to block wind for a tent, or to cut ice to make a shelter |
sledgehammer* |
X |
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To pound tent stakes into the frozen ground |
radio with spare batteries* |
X |
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To communicate with rescue team |
signal mirror* |
X |
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To signal rescue team |
camera, book, pictures of someone you love, rifle, toilet paper |
|
X |
Adds additional weight, not necessary to survive |
beef jerky, cheese, 1/2 loaf bread |
|
X |
Unusable when frozen and not high enough carbohydrate energy levels for quick energy release |
blanket |
|
X |
Not as efficient for holding in heat as sleeping bag |
flashlight |
|
X |
Not needed because there is constant daylight |
drill, journal/pencil |
|
X |
For research, not an emergency situation |
snowshoes |
|
X |
Too cumbersome to carry. In severe weather, it is better to stay put and wait for help or for storm to end.
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suntan lotion |
|
X |
Not needed because body will be protected by clothing |
insect repellant |
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X |
Very few insects in Antarctic |
cup/spoon |
|
X |
Useful, but food can be eaten without these |
* Shared group items
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Antarctica: A Challenging Work Day
See in this Teachers' Domain video segment (5m 04s) how a research team copes with Antarctica's inhospitable climate and other environmental hazards.
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