This week has been exciting as I participated in the mandatory safety training at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). This training is essential for every student and researcher here, ensuring that we are well-prepared to handle the challenges of the Arctic environment.
The training lasted a week and included various practical and theoretical sessions, ranging from polar bear safety to first aid, communication, navigation, and field trip planning. I was impressed by how well-structured the training was. The instructors have much experience, drawing from countless trips and expeditions.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of the training was learning about polar bear behaviour. Polar bears are incredibly curious. They generally try to avoid humans, but their curiosity often gets the better of them, leading them to explore anything unusual in their environment. I learned that hunters exploited this curiosity by placing man-made objects, like flag posts, on the beach to lure polar bears. The bears would come to investigate, making it an easy target for the hunters.
Understanding polar bear behaviour is crucial for safety. These animals are unpredictable and smart and will learn from their experiences. For instance, if a polar bear isn’t sufficiently scared off by deterrents like signal pistols or flares, it might realize that these tools pose no real threat. Therefore, it’s important to use enough force—multiple flash bangs or flares,—to ensure the bear associates humans with danger and keeps its distance.
Aside from the training, the weather here has been surprisingly warm—much warmer than what’s typical or good for the Arctic. I’ve been walking around in a T-shirt, which feels surreal, considering our location so far north.
Next week, I’ll start my actual course in Arctic safety, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead. I’ll share more about that as the course progresses.
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