Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2004-05: VUWAE 49

Accident

Accident

During the 2004/05 field season we moved more than 80 t of snow by manual labour for the drilling pits alone. While good working procedure avoided strains on backs etc., an insufficiently repaired shovel provided by SB caused an injury to the right-hand middle finger of Bayliss (Fig.7). The handle of the shovel had been fixed to the shovel rod with aluminium wire nails. When the wire nails broke while pushing forcefully down into rather dense snow, Bayliss' hand became trapped between the handle and the shovel rod. First aid was provided immediately and the blood blister underneath the fingernail was relieved by burning two holes into the nail. Despite Bayliss' intake of codeine painkillers the pain remained for the next 12 hours and the swelling increased. After discussions with the SB nurse, Bayliss was evacuated on 29 Nov and brought to MCM hospital. He received treatment and was able to come back into the field on 04 Dec. However, he was not able to use his right hand until we returned to NZ on 14 Dec. We are grateful for the quick and professional response by Scott Base staff to this situation.

page 12
Fig. 7 A) and B) excavating drilling pit at MES, C) injured finger of Bayliss

Fig. 7 A) and B) excavating drilling pit at MES, C) injured finger of Bayliss