Let's Get Physical(ly Qualified)
Technically, project Go To Antarctica is still contingent on my physically qualifying to deploy. While it’s a myth you need to have your appendix removed before heading down to the ice, NSF does require you to go through a battery of invasive testing, including an EKG, vision test, blood draws, and breast, genital, and rectal exams, and potentially more, depending on your age or medical history (for instance, I had to have a pulmonary function test due to asthma). Barf. I’ll spare you all the details, but rest assured, it’s not fun, and even my doctor was put off by it all.
New this year is the ability to upload all your PQ documents online. Previously, it was all mail or fax, baby! Indeed, I did mail off the paperwork that concerns room & board and extreme cold weather gear (ECW) sizing. USAP provides participants with big red Canada Goose parkas, boots, gloves, goggles, etc., so you have to measure all your various body parts and write them down for the government, so they know what sizes to give you. 🙃
Speaking of ECW: my coworkers who went down last year heard this should be changing for 2024-25, but at least on the paperwork I filled out, everything is in men’s sizes. You can probably guess how I feel about that, which is righteously aggravated, but I figure I will reserve (some) judgement until I get my ECW and see what’s actually what. It’s a pretty gigantic equity and safety necessity to offer gear in shapes and sizes for all bodies.
Meanwhile, there is a base level of health you have to meet in order to deploy—one I think I’m lucky enough to meet, but can’t say for sure until NSF says so (fingers crossed). In particular, any issues that could become emergencies are a big problem because there are limited medical resources at McMurdo. There’s a staffed clinic that from what I understand can handle most of the day-to-day illnesses and injuries a typical doctor’s office in the States would, but it can take days (or even longer) to get off continent in the case of an emergency due to the variable weather. It’s also required to bring a 90 days’ supply of any medications you’re currently on. (There is a LOT more I could go into about this…perhaps another time.)
So really, thus far the prep has just been loads of paperwork (so much paperwork), doctor’s appointments, and almost daily realizing there’s some other critical task I hadn’t thought of I have to complete before I go: I have to get prescription sunglasses! I have to figure out early voting! I have to find a place to put my car! And, sooner or later, I’ll have to deal with the fear.
Miscellany
On Friday I asked my dermatologist how to keep my skin healthy while in Antarctica (since it is, after all, a cold, dry desert) and she recommended the following moisturizers, stored in pump bottles:
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
LaRoche-Posay Lipkar AP+m Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
LaRoche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 (for hands)
She also reminded me to bring lots of sunscreen! I will be in an office 95% of the time, but the sun will not set while I’m there, and refracting off the snow and ice makes UV rays more powerful.
Links
Up Next
A brief detour to Patagonia!