H: Hypothermia
Early in their training, Phil and the team learnt about hypothermia and how to keep themselves warm in Antarctic conditions. Unfortunately their first attempt at practising survival didn’t go too well, as Phil wrote:
“Considering I died on Monday I’m not feeling too bad. The cause of my death was hypothermia – a slow way to go, but relatively painless. My brain slowly cooled causing me to become passive and disorientated. Finally I drifted into unconsciousness and death.
But although the method of my death wasn’t too bad, the reason for my death was really annoying. We (my team and I) forgot our stoves, which meant we couldn’t melt snow, which meant we couldn’t cook food and, as we’re in Antarctica, that very quickly led to us expiring.”
A few months later, and the team were busy trying on their special clothing which will play an important part in preventing hypothermia. Phil wrote an activity for secondary students using clothing sort cards.
Keeping with the temperature theme, primary pupils will enjoy these numeracy games: thermometer and hot cup of tea.