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Name: Mark Townsend
Age: 37
 
POMA Mark Townsend on HMS Endurance and on the water.
Occupation: I’m the Petty Officer Medical Assistant on HMS ENDURANCE (POMA). My job is to look after the health and well being of the Ship's Company and ensure that they are fit to serve in all aspects of their role. I also teach first aid to the Ship's Company and lead a team of first aiders in any emergency.
Home Town: Watchet, Somerset
Excited about: Not planning the expedition anymore - just getting on with it. While we have taken the time to improve our paddling skills and I've really enjoyed our training sessions, ultimately you have to just go out and do your challenge. I'm more than ready for this now...I just want to paddle.
Biggest challenge of the Expedition: I think just completing the expedition and making sure that we all stay fit and healthy will be enough of a challenge for me. I feel confident that our knowledge and common sense will overcome all the potential hazards to our health during the kayaking. For example, the human body is made up of at least 70% water and without it we cannot survive. When kayaking, water takes on an additional importance, as our performance is likely to be hindered by even mild dehydration. It is therefore more effective to drink water prior to kayaking as the muscles function optimally when they are fully hydrated, rather than when they require rehydration. My advice to everyone on the expedition is to: Drink, Drink, Drink.
Hope for the Expedition: That we all complete the trip and thoroughly enjoy it. I think the expedition will give all of us a great personal experience that will stay with us for a long, long time
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