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; Brabant; Brabant Island; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jrnms-72-69; https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1136/jrnms-72-69

Summary This, the first in a series of three, describes the medical aspects of the JSE to Brabant Island, Antarctica. The expedition was conceived and led by Commander Chris Furse RN, was logistically light and simple, and used tents instead of huts for accommodation. Main achievements included a 140 mile journey in 5m inflatable boats, the first ascents of 55 peaks, the first complete overwintering in tents, and the 100 mile circumnavigation of the island by canoe. Apart from the well-publicised crevasse fall in which Lieutenant Commander Clive Waghorn RN fractured his femur, medical problems were few and minor. The planning, preparations and problems are described in detail, and subsequent articles will deal with physiological research and clothing and equipment.