Lung volume and blood levels

ECG-sensors. Photo: Thomas Ronge/AWI

By Thomas Ronge |

Taking blood samples. Photo: Thomas Ronge/AWI
Taking blood samples. Photo: Thomas Ronge/AWI

Am I fit enough to work for two or three months aboard a research vessel, operating far from civilisation and hospitals?

To answer this question, every participant needs to see the AWI-physician for a complete body-check.

It’s true, we have a physician, a nurse and even a little hospital aboard of POLARSTERN but live threatening conditions or injuries have to be treated in a proper facility on land. As the vessel usually operates days or even weeks from the next hospital (it’s only 3-5 hours at the International Space Station!), medical issues have to be known beforehand.

The doctors agenda includes: Eye and ear examinations, lung volume, heart frequency via ECG monitoring, blood and urine tests, Body Mass Index, a detailed analysis of the medical record and much much more.

If everything is fine, we’re ready to sail.

ECG-sensors. Photo: Thomas Ronge/AWI
ECG-sensors. Photo: Thomas Ronge/AWI
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