How a Diabetic Sets Sail on an Antarctica Research Cruise
I get off the phone and immediately start excitedly running and jumping around my apartment, squealing the whole time. I just got off the phone with someone offering me a job on an Antarctic Research Cruise and I accepted! (Ahhhhhhhhhh!) This was the best news I could have received in 2012 (best news for many years)!
Going to all the Doctors
I had recently graduated from college and was looking for a job. It’s never fun and rarely easy to find a job, let alone a good job. Lucky for me I knew the right people at the right time and was able to get this dream job.
Traveling to and working in Antarctica and in Antarctic waters requires an in-depth medical review, forms, communication, travel logistics, and planning. You go to the both the doctor and dentist and get a full work up (with all of the forms they have to fill out).
This was a very last-minute job, so I had to get all of this done ASAP, there wasn’t any time for dilly dallying. After many phone calls, appointments, and printed forms I was able to get everything that I needed done and filled out.
Medically Cleared
After a couple of weeks I was medically cleared to sail, got my plane tickets, and met some of the team in person. I just had to finish packing and get all of my prescriptions and medical supplies.
One of the things that I shared with the team early on was that I have type 1 diabetes. With going to the bottom of the planet, it was important to me that everyone knew. (This is something that I did with all of my future sea going jobs.) No one made me feel bad or lesser than because I have diabetes. They all made me feel welcomed and supported and I felt very lucky!
Bon Voyage
Fast forward to Punta Arenas, Chile (where we would board the ship), I am loading all of my gear onto the ship and meeting everyone I’ll be sailing with. Everyone was so friendly and excited to be there. It was so easy for me to get super excited and I couldn’t wait to get going!
Once everyone was there and the ship was loaded, we set off! I don’t think a smile left my face for the entire three-week trip. And a lot of the time I wasn’t just smiling, I was laughing. One of the other scientists and I got to the point where just looking at each other ended with uncontrollable laughter. Everything was exciting and new to me, and I couldn’t believe that I was there. To this day I still can’t believe it.
Science – On the Job
I learned a lot about the zooplankton, especially the krill, that live in Antarctic waters. I learned about a type of zooplankton called amphipods which quickly became my favorite. (Learn more about these amazing creatures here and here.)
I got to help out with deploying plankton nets and other scientific equipment. It made me feel like a real scientist. (I know I am a real scientist, but I had just graduated from college, and I felt like I was finally a scientist). There is a lot that goes into deploying gear over the side of a ship. Protocols are followed, safety gear is worn, and everything is double checked.
I got to see and be a part of the scientific process in action. A dream come true! I made new friends, new professional connections, and experienced so many things for the first time.
In Case of an Emergency
One of the things I experienced on the ship was numerous safely drills. These are very important for any trip, especially one where you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean near the south pole. One of the crew members on the ship was the ship’s medical professional. They were in charge of the medications and any medical issues that occurred on the ship.
During the drills everyone would have to split up into two groups, one group for each of the two lifeboats. To make sure I was extra safe, I made sure that during the drills I was always on the lifeboat with the medical professional! Luckily for everyone, we only ever did drills and didn’t have any actual emergencies!
The End of the Trip
The three-week Antarctic research cruise was coming to an end. I learned and experienced so much, made many connections, and fulfilled my dream of being a scientist. All of this happened without any diabetes or other medical issues.
To this day, this is one of the best times of my life! It goes to show that you can do anything and go anywhere you want to go, as long as you plan for it. Going anywhere can be dangerous, and anyone can have an accident no matter where you are. Planning and being prepared for many possibilities makes the chances a lot lower. Don’t get dissuaded, you can go anywhere you want to go, even to the south pole!
