Before Travel

There are a number of procedures that must be completed prior to your departure for Antarctica. These include environmental, legal and permiting requirements.

We have also provided some handy hints and background information to ease your preparation for your visit. These hints range from how to call home, what to wear inside the base, what to take in your hand carry bag, what specialist clothing we will provide, and what to do if you have additional cargo including large items or equipment that you need on the Ice.

Please ensure that you have read and understood each section in Travel to Antarctica and have completed any forms by the due dates. If after reading each section thoroughly you have some questions please contact us.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Antarctica is the world’s last great wilderness and provides a pristine area for research into the Antarctic and the global environment.

Visitors to Antarctica need to comply with international agreements as well as domestic legislation to help protect the Antarctic environment.  Events supported by Antarctica New Zealand need to be aware of these legal requirements and the procedures Antarctica New Zealand has put in place help to implement them.  In particular, all events must complete an environmental impact assessment, usually at the Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE) level. 

Follow the links below for further details on environmental requirements.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
First Aid requirements
All people who travel to Antarctica with Antarctica New Zealand must hold a current First Aid certificate. The level of the certificate should be equivalent to St John Ambulance Work Place First Aid 16-hour course. Go to the St John Ambulance website for information about First Aid courses.

Medical Requirements
Antarctica New Zealand takes its responsibilities as a good host and employer very seriously, including those who travel to Antarctica as part of our programme. Policies and procedures concerning medical requirements are available for reading from Antarctica New Zealand.

Medical Resources in Antarctica
Scott Base has a first aid room with some medical supplies and a qualififed First Aid officer who is able to handle basic medical problems. Anything of a more serious nature is referred to the nearby (4km) United States McMurdo Station where there are limited hospital facilities. Personnel taking medications will need to take an adequate supply for the length of their visit taking into account that there may be delays in travel due to weather etc.

Guidelines for doctors
There is a link below to the guidelines for medical examiners document. It provides guidelines and information for doctors and is supplied to you with your medical forms prior to travel to Antarctica. The document is provided here for your information only.