Hartz, fieldsafety, East Greenland
2006 Greenland exp.
Organized by Ebbe Hartz,
Physics of Geological Processes,
Oslo, Norway
23-07-06
EXPEDITION INFO
To expedition members
This letter contains some info regarding the coming expedition. I expect you to read this in
detail, and confirm to me over email that you have read it. If you have fundamental questions
then ask. We will go through this document together at the start of the expedition.
Exp motto:
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Return Safe and Happy
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Classic skills, Modern Tools, Open Minds
Contact to and from us:
You need to send me name, address, phone, email of a person to reach in case something ‘bad’
happens to you. This info will be kept at the university and in each camp.
We have excellent radio equipment and satellite phone, and are in daily contact with Constable
Airport. It is therefore no problem for us to reach the outside world if we need help.
Additionally we are equipped with satellite Personal Location Beacons, which immediately will
alert the outside world in case of an emergency. However we will not use these to "call" home.
No news is generally good news. We may be able to call out by satellite phone when we are at
CNP Airport (but generally not in the field).
Family or friends can contact us via phone/fax to CNP, but one should have a good reason to
use these means of communication.
Tel. +299 99 38 50
www.glv.gl
fax +299 99 39 51
Email: bgco@greennet.gl
Other contact points is POLOG the logistical operator in the area:
POLOG will have following phone numbers to our co-ordination centres in Greenland for the
season 2006: DO NOT SEND ATTACHEMENTS BY EMAIL
Mestersvig (MVG), 0088 1641 424 070
mvg@polog.dk, Period of availability, 22 June – 01 September.
Constable Point (CNP), 0088 1641 424 069. OUR MAIN OPERATION HUB.
cnp@polog.dk, Period of availability, 20 July – 25 August.
Station North (NOR), 0088 1641 424 074
No e-mail communication, Period of availability, 1 July – 20 August.
The fax signal goes by satellite. This signal is often somewhat noisy, and the sending fax will
report error although the signal came through. Therefore do not resend faxes again and again if
you get an error message. If urgent the call up and ask if the fax came through.
If the is an urgent need to contact us, and no contact can be made directly to CNP, then contact
the Danish Polar Centre + 45 32 88 0110 (fax 0101).
Letters can be sent to us at the following address:
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Hartz, fieldsafety, East Greenland
23-07-06
Your name:_______________
PGP,
(note: use PGP since this is the field name we all use up there)
Constable Point Airport, 3985 Constable Point, GREENLAND
There are connections between Iceland and CNP ca. twice a week. You can send mail back IF
you remember to bye Icelandic stamps and bring envelops.
Since we move by Twin Otters, and helicopters that only carry a certain amount of weight, we
have to limit ourselves. You decide yourself what to bring, but you can use my list as a guide.
Most of these things are a must. If you want to bring something heavy in addition to this, you
should have a good reason to do so. Just a few kg extra may be the "straw" that the helicopter
cannot carry. Flying extra cost $ x000, so limit yourself. The total baggage limit on the
scheduled flights to Mestersvig is 20 kg. Excess payload is NOT CONFIRMED, but we are
working on it. We have requested that each person carry 40 kg.
Remember that it may take time to get you riffles through customs!
Just before departure you will receive the revised helicopter plans etc.
Remember that departure from Greenland can be delayed due to weather
SAFETY
According to new field rules at Oslo University, you should all read a document about ‘field
routine’. However, this multi-page document is in Norwegian. Instead I will here mention the
main safety points based on my experience. I know that many of you have plenty of
experience, but I am required (university rules) to send you this kind of info, and it may be a
good reminder anyhow.
By joining the trip you signify that you are insured. I handle search and rescue insurance,
but you need medical and home transport insurance.
I have the right and obligation to send home people that I find unsuited to be in the field
Is it about time that you check with your dentist? Do you have allergies that we should
know about?
Report accidents, and near accident in writing (sorry its ‘the rules’).
If in trouble first call CNP at +299 99 38 50.
If no contact, then call SOS København (Denmark) at + 45 70 10 50 50 by satellite phone.
To avoid misunderstandings: In the field we all belong to Physics of Geological Processes.
This is our call name. Also state your position (lat/long) and location name.
General info: Do not attempt any task that you are not explicitly instructed to do with any type
of weapon, boat, engine, drill or stove.
Riffle training:
In general I expect you to have some riffle experience before you come to Greenland. If you
don’t then get it.
When you get to Greenland we make sure that you know the particular riffle you will use. Even
if you do not plan to carry the riffle in the field you need to know how to use it. One person in
each camp need to know standard maintenance of the riffles (oiling and drying them).
Once in the field make sure you know how to:
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Place and remove amu. in the riffle safely
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Hartz, fieldsafety, East Greenland
23-07-06
2
Arm and disarm the riffle safely.
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Use the safety-device.
Practice this together. More riffle-info in the list below.
Safety equipment in the field:
I cannot remote control safety in places/camps that I am not present, and knowing that most of
you are highly experienced I do not feel like making rules regarding safety equipment, as all
situations have different needs. I note that in many cases of an accident it (e.g. a broken leg),
the main danger I getting cold, even on a nice day. Therefore you need things to keep people
warm when far from camp.
Each camp has the following safety equipment.
1 large first aid trunk, and small bags to be used in the field.
1 sleeping pad, that you can lay an injured person on, and carry a person on. Can also be cut
and taped to support a broken limb.
1 insulated bivouac bag, can be zipped as a sleeping bag, or a more square bag to sit people.
1 un-insulated wind sack.
1 mini (4 person lavvo). A very light and wind-stable tent that will give you superb shelter.
2 irridium satellite phones
2 personal location beacons
Helmets, riffles and flairguns
Helmets, riffles, flairs, PLB and phones are mandatory at all times. Apart from this you decide
what to bring in the field but in most cases of injury it is easier to make a small remote camp at
the place of injury, compared to carry a person for hours. You also need to make sure that you
bring extra food into the field so that 2 persons can stay for at least 1 extra meal.
Keep the PLB and Irridium phone in a dry sack in the boat, but do not pack it so that you can
not get to it easily.
SCIENCE
This we have discussed between different subgroups so here are just a few general points.
Label samples this way: year initials number (eg. 05EH23), and keep an open list of what is
happening to the samples. Get a Lat/long + altitude for all samples (GPS).
The fieldwork is industry sponsored. All data can be used and published as we want, but the
industry should receive a copy accepted manuscripts and abstracts if relevant. Some of our data
will enter a yearly progress report. I may ask you for a small specific sub-report for this. I will
bring the non-confidential parts of the industry proposals.
DECLINATION (how much is geographic N east of Magnetic N):
Liverpool Land 21.42 W, Schuchert 22.57W, Milne L 22.56 W
FOOD:
Expedition food: There will be two types of foodboxes (labeled 1 and 2) and one startbox. The
food boxes contain 12 man-days of food, (ie. There are 6 two-person dinners). Use box 1
before box 2. They have the same amount of food, but box 1 has a few extra things. The
startbox contain washing things, spice etc. The foodboxes are quite a bit different from
previous years.
In addition there will be a ‘snack’ of dried meat in small bags. This stuff is extremely tasty, and
can be eaten alone, or added into dinner. This stuff is not in the foodboxes so you need to take
1 bag/person/day from a separate box. The foodboxes are constructed so that there should be
leftovers after 12 days. This is a couple of days safety food in case of bad weather. If you
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Hartz, fieldsafety, East Greenland
23-07-06
travel far from CNP, then make sure that the camp has enough food for a few extra days. If in
doubt bring an extra box.
Fresh food: If you think you have capacity to bring something extra from Iceland, the a bit of
fresh food is always nice (bread, apples, oranges, garlic, onions, frozen steak).
Here are a few do’s and don’t’s: (If you have questions to this list then ask)
Weapons:
Newer shoot at the head, first stop the bear,
Weapons are handled only by those give
then go for the kill.
clear permissions to use them.
Check for people behind the bear before
Keep weapons safe and clean (also flairs)
shooting.
Keep a riffle with all field teams.
If you are aware that there is a bear in the
The person not carrying a riffle, carry
region, then keep a person awake at
flairs.
night.
Keep ammunition in the magazine, but
Use trip-wires with explosives if you want,
NOT in the chamber.
but be aware of frequent ‘false alarms’.
Each time a riffle change hands it should be
Never have food in the tent you sleep
opened to demonstrate that the chamber
Wolf, fox and all the rest are not dangerous,
is empty. IMPORTANT: make sure you
but stay clear of whales in the boat.
do not arm the riffle when you check it.
Keep food and garbage inaccessible for
Keep extra ammunition handy.
raven and fox.
Empty the magazine before transport.
Camp safety:
Animals:
Be careful with the stoves and boiling
Muskoxen, walrus and polar bears can be
water. (Make sure that stoves are
dangerous. There has been seen bears in
standing on level ground).
the area about 1/2 of the seasons I have
All should learn how to use the stoves, but
been there. Typically they just go away.
do not ‘fix’ them without instructions.
A wounded MO is extremely dangerous.
Do not fill gas near an open flame.
They can ONLY be killed fast, by shots
Make a latrine, and keep shit at one place
through the throat (they can walk 500 m
near the camp. This is the first place the
after a shot in the heart).
bear will come, so be aware.
Do not camp in the only obvious muskoxen
Always keep the camp prepared for sudden
food (grass), if there is MO around.
extreme storms
Do not approach MO herds from above (=
Check the content of the first aid box,
challenge the boss). Stay clear of
before you need it. Please pack nicely
LONELY bulls.
afterwards.
MO (and bears) are fast uphill, but very
Do not get ‘stupidly’ drunk in a field camp.
slow on steep downhills.
If drinking do not play dangerous games
If attack/approached by a bear, stay
(tentjumping, boating, shooting,
together, and look big and noisy.
wrestling …).
‘Playing dead’ is stupid.
Wash your hands ‘when needed’. (I keep a
Often the bear will stop at close range, and
small hotel type shampoo in my pocket,
then leave.
but we also have ‘wet wipes’)
If s/he stands up on hind legs, then s/he is
checking you out (they stay low in
Field safety:
attacks).
Look up for falling rocks, particularly in
Never run….s/he is faster than a race horse.
snowy channels on slopes.
Keep escape routes clear for the bear (get
Generally moving on slopes near the angle
away from camp so it does not feel
of repulse takes a lot of experience.
locked in).
Discuss where and how to go if you are
Make sure that ‘flash reports flairs’ (big
not experienced.
bangs), do not fly beyond the bear (they
Rock glaciers (ice cored rock flows) are
go 150 m), and scare the bear towards
extremely loose when it is warm. Avoid
you.
them!
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Hartz, fieldsafety, East Greenland
Use a helmet on slopes.
Do not go above/below people in loose
rocks, without clear communication.
Keep a small first aid package with each
field team. Add strong painkiller from
the main box.
Keep a radio or phone PLUS a satellite
beacon with each field team. All should
know how to use it.
Do not use a satellite beacon unless all
other means of contacts has failed, and
life or health is at risk.
Careful with your back (don’t carry too
heavy).
Tell your field mates if you are getting too
tired, have bad blisters, tendons, joints
etc.
Say it, if you uneasy about safety choices.
Wear glasses when hammering.
Wear gloves when dealing when dealing
with sharp of heavy ‘things’, and in
loose debris.
If unsure, then check rivers without a
backpack before crossing. Use sandals
or running shoes.
Helicopter:
Check safety rules with pilot before first
ride. Where should you not step?
Do not ‘chat’ (eg geology) in the ‘headset’,
during take off and landing.
Help the pilot packing, be careful where
you put heavy things.
Know the exact position and route before
flying. Keep a map and camera in your
hands. If windy bring a plastic bags
(blaaaaeh).
Remember that we are the costumers and
decide where to go, but that the pilot
decides on safety issues, e.g. landing
spots.
When outside helicopter: Keep eye contact
with pilot under take off and landing.
Use given signals, when on ground and a
helicopter lands. Find a good flat spot:
small hills are OK, lows/holes are not.
Stay in front of the landing spot, with
the wind in your back. Show that
landing is OK, by swings arms calmly
parallel to your body along the wind.
Give OK sign when all the way down.
During take off with a sling (net below
helicopter). Give calm lifting signals
with your arms, and spinning arm above
23-07-06
your head when sling is all the way clear
of ground. (I will show how).
The top rotor can swing very low just
before it stops, or when they start
rotating. Otherwise they are high and
not dangerous.
The tail rotor is low, and invisible when
rotating. Thus stay clear of the tail (stay
in front of the helicopter).
Load down light things on ground during
take off and landing (eg. paper can crash
a helicopter if sucked into the airintake
during take off).
Calculate helicopter time before changing
plans.
Boats:
Use a survival suit in the boats. Newcomers
should try to be ‘man over board’ before
long trips.
Keep the tilt lock on the boat engine free, in
case of hitting a seal.
Carry an extra engine in boat if only one
boat.
Do not walk onto unstable (high) floating
icebergs . Do not go close to (e.g.
collect ice for your whiskey) big
icebergs. They may flip fast.
There should be at least 2 people who can
operate the boat (if 1 falls out).
Always use the ‘dead man string’. Make
sure there is one extra string at the
engine.
Whatever:
Do not alter paleoeskimo marks
Do not hunt
Do not leave marks yourself (eg. no kerns
or tent rings left behind).
Burn or carry out garbage.
Be aware of your friends’ needs and
emotions
Take some time for yourself if needed
Keep track of medicine removed from the
first aid box (particularly narcotics).
Please cover sharp rocks under the tents
floor (eg. foodbox material).
Check your battery and solar panels.
Phones have priority.
Make sure that you have enough food for a
few extra days.
Carry permissions with all camps in the
national park.
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