Rothera, Antarctica

Sun-up. Definitely (yet another) moment to remember from my time at Rothera. Feeling the sun on my face and the glare in my eyes for the first time in 63 days.

Rothera, Antarctica

We reached base and were able to carry George straight into the surgery where Mairi, Ash and Rob had been working hard to set everything up. On closer examination, we decided that the only option available to George was amputation at the hip at which point he declared himself miraculously recovered. Thanks again to Dr Rob doc for the photo, and for all his patience and expertise in explaining what we did and didn't get right.

Rothera, Antarctica

Once we reached the skidoos, we strapped George onto a sledge and set off in convey back to base. Dale did an excellent job of counter-balancing the sledge so it didn't tip over as we went round corners. Thanks to Dr Rob doc for the photo.

Rothera, Antarctica

After getting caught up in the bothy bag, tripping over George and tripping over his bad leg several times, we finally managed to get him splinted and strapped to a stretcher for the journey home. The terrain on west beach is fairly rocky so we had to carry him and drag him as best we could, until we reached the skidoos. Thanks to Dr Rob doc for the photo.

Rothera, Antarctica

George (our base commander) had dropped a hint that there may be a training incident on Wednesday afternoon. So when at lunch time today he got up to "go for a walk around the point" we suggested that maybe he would rather stay indoors with us, safe and sound. There was no persuading him however, and 30 minutes later he had missed his sign-back time. To make matters worse it suddenly turned out that Dr Rob doc was conveniently "in the field, and not coming back", along with Dave, our head FA. Cue mild panic and station wide mayhem. Adam, our comms manager and deputy BC, took control and soon had Scott and me running out to east beach with some immediate aid supplies. We found George in an unhappy state sprawled on the beach with a badly broken leg. This is George, in our capable hands. And me, not holding his neck still (because I kept forgetting I was supposed to), not administering oxygen (because we couldn't make the cylinder work) and giving him anaphylactic shock (because he is allergic to the pain relief I tried to give him). Thanks to Dr Rob doc for the photo (who wasn't in the field afterall).

Rothera, Antarctica

Rothera A+E on a Thursday afternoon. Poor Greendog was tackling the post lunch washing-up when an unyielding pineapple tin sliced the top of his right-hand middle finger. Dr Rob doc thought it would be the perfect opportunity for us to practise our sewing skills so, after he dosed Rob up with some local anaesthetic, I put in the first stitch and Sister Jackson administered the second. Dr Rob doc guided us through perfectly and Rob was the perfect patient. He is now back up on his feet, and will make a full recovery. Just another day in Rothera A+E.

Rothera, Antarctica

A foggy, almost-Spring morning at Rothera. Despite the fact that it has only been 3 weeks since Midwinter, it feels very Springy here today. The temperature has suddenly increased 10 degrees to a balmy -5, and the winds have died right down. Still no sign of the sun though- I took this on my way back from smoko, at 11 o'clock.