The first Antarctic winter in tents: The Joint Services Expedition to Brabant Island

• Published in: Journal of The Royal Naval Medical Service
• Main Author: Oakley, E. H. N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ 1986
• Subjects: General Medicine; Antarctic; Austral; Brabant; Brabant Island; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jrnms-72-172; https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1136/jrnms-72-172

Summary This second article covers aspects of the physiological research carried out during the JSE to Brabant Island, Antarctica. The major task in this was to investigate fluid balance in the 12 subjects whilst they lived in harsh field conditions through the Austral winter, to see if any acclimatisation occurred. The practical relevance of this to the prevention of cold injury, which is highly likely in those dehydrated by the climate, is discussed. Practical matters to enable such research to be carried out are described, and some of the findings tentatively presented. In particular, it would appear that the subjects did undergo cold dehydration, to be followed after six weeks or so by an apparent return to normal. Their cold diuresis appeared not to be the result of nocturnal changes in renal perfusion, but may have a hormonal basis.