Jr. Medical School in Antarctica

Jr. Medical School Safety AND Security in Antarctica

Goal: Our job is to monitor the medical condition of "Doug Stoup" as he travels to Antarctica.  You can read all about Doug Stoup by going to www.PNN.com.

Our job is to find out as much medical information about Doug Stoup as possible.  He has a first aide kit and we want to know what is in it.  It would be great to find out his complete medical history.  Your assignment is to read about weather conditions in Antarctica and to make a medical plan to keep Doug safe.  We will do this in a virtual way and we are not allowed to give any real medical advice.  This is only a Jr. Medical School classroom simulation project.  However, this is as real as it gets.  I have provided some important information and your homework projects are integrated into this reading assignment.


Did you know?

The decision to travel to a place like Antarctica is the sole responsibility of the traveler. The traveler is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

There is no telephone or other communication services in Antarctica. Satellite telephone or postal facilities exist only at established research stations. It would be very difficult to obtain outside assistance in the event of an emergency.

Your Jr. Medical School Assignment:  Lauren Elliott at PNN is working setting up a Friday afternoon chat lab with "Doug Stoup".  At this time the Jr. Medical School students will have an opportunity to get answers to their questions.



Research stations and scientific expeditions are fully dedicated to scientific research and, with rare exceptions, have no capacity to provide support of any kind to tourists or casual travelers. Independent travelers must be fully self-sufficient from the time that they leave the departure country until their return.

Your Jr. Medical School Assignment:  How can we find out the names and locations of the research stations in Antarctica?  Get a good map of Antarctica and trace the route that Doug Stoup will be traveling.


Other than a privately run base on the interior ice that caters to mountaineering-type expeditions, there are no tourist facilities on land. Various tourism companies can arrange excursions to the continent. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) publishes a list of its members, which is available at:

IAATO Secretariat
P.O. Box 2178, Basalt, CO, 81621, U.S.A.
Tel.: 970-704-1047
Fax: 970-704-9660
E-mail: iaato@iaato.org
Web site: www.iaato.org

Your Jr. Medical School Assignment:  Visit this website: www.iaato.org.  What did you discover?  Post the information in your Jr. Medical School Lab Kit.


Any travel that is not part of an international scientific expedition or organized through a recognized tour operator is strongly discouraged because of its potential harmful impact on the environment and the lack of emergency facilities.

A USA passport and/or visas may be required for travel through the country or countries that you transit en route to and from Antarctica. Please refer to the separate Travel Reports for those countries.

Travelers on USA expeditions, USA vessels and those operating USA aircraft need a permit to be in the Antarctic, except when granted permission from another Party to the Madrid Protocol or in the case of an emergency. Detailed information about permits applications and application forms are available at Environment Canada's International Relations site. There is no fee associated with processing a permit to travel to the Antarctic.


Any adult traveling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and USA authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.


TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM (Information from Canada)

Your Jr. Medical School Assignment:  Find out what Doug Stoup is doing about his travel medicine.  What is in his first aide kid?  How is he taking care of his medical needs?  What will he doing during a medical emergency?   How would you take care of your medical needs in Antarctica?


Jr. Medical School Project:  What would the United States of America have to say about our "Travel Medicine Program"?

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travelers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travelers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travelers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travelers should inform their physician that they have been traveling or living outside of Canada.


7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

There are no organized or stand-by search and rescue or emergency evacuation facilities in Antarctica. Costs for search and rescue (or for the evacuation of private parties) will generally be charged to the party. Check whether your medical coverage includes provisions for emergency evacuation.

Visitors should ensure they have equipment and clothing that meet Antarctic standards.


Your Jr. Medical School Assignment

What would be a good health and safety backup plan for Antarctica?  This would be a good a great essay project after you finish Brain Cogs and Essay Express.  For some of our home schooling students this assignment would bring in 2,000 points towards your Jr. Medical School Graduation Requirements.

8. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

The Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection (Madrid Protocol), adopted in 1991 by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties, designates Antarctica as a natural reserve. Several areas have ecological, scientific, historical, or other value and are afforded special protection. It is forbidden to bring any non-native species into Antarctica. This includes poultry, pet dogs, cats, and household plants. It is also prohibited to take or harmfully interfere with Antarctic wildlife except in accordance with a permit issued by a national authority.

The Madrid Protocol came into force in 1998. Ratified by 30 countries, the protocol designates the Antarctic as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science. Under the Madrid Protocol, parties are required to regulate the activities of expeditions organized in or proceeding from their territory to the Antarctic, as well as the activities of their vessels, aircraft and Antarctic stations.

Canada ratified the Madrid Protocol in December 2003, and developed the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) and its supporting regulation to implement the Protocol in Canada. In so doing, the Canadian Government oversees the activities of its citizens in the Antarctic, and provides the means to address potential future environmental risks in the Antarctic.


9. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Antarctica is the coldest, driest, highest (on average), and windiest continent, with 99% of its area covered by a permanent ice sheet. Weather conditions are severe and changeable.


11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada and the United States of America

Traveler's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or traveling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.

Canceling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before canceling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

This information has been provided to give the Jr. Medical School and Kid's Talk Radio classes a deeper understanding of what is involved with a trip to Antarctica.  We are going to find out as much information as possible for our Antarctica Simulation Master Project.  The Kid's Talk Radio News Team will make it possible for students thought the US and Canada to get the information that they need to follow the adventures of explorer Doug Stoup in Antarctica.

Assignment Technical Support:

Contact:

Bob Barboza
Super School University
Jr. Medical School and Kid's Talk Radio
1857 Josie Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 594-8580 Office
E-Mail: Suprschool@aol.com
http://KidsTalkRadio.pnn.com
http://kidstalkradiostory.pnn.com
www.SuperSchoolUniversity.com