Topical Factfiles - Polar Clothing

People working in Antarctica need special clothing to protect themselves from the extreme cold.
-40ºC is the lowest temperature at which Doctors think people can work efficiently outside. Although the temperature can vary considerably, the average temperature at the South Pole in winter is -59ºC.
Normal body temperature is 37ºC. Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Due to wet clothes, tiredness, hunger and the effects of the wind, someone in Antarctica can become hypothermic very quickly.
Staying dry in Antarctica is very important. Wet flesh freezes 24 times faster than dry flesh.
Many, many polar explorers have suffered from frostbite. On the Endurance expedition of 1914, Blackborrow, had to have all the toes on his left foot cut off because of severe frostbite.
There are 3 main principles to polar clothing:
- Skin must be protected from frostbite, which is hastened by moisture
- Heat loss from the body must be reduced to a minimum
- Body moisture must be able to escape, as sweating may lead to ice forming within clothing.
Photograph British Antarctic Survey

Next >>

Polar Clothing

Website designed and maintained by Westover Computing