FATE OF MERCURY IN THE ARCTIC Michael Evan ... - COGCI

Fate of Mercury in the Arctic 137
them – write it on the map and ensure they have at least two copies. Ensure that you and your team
understand the procedures that the controlling authorities will initiate in case of: emergency or if the
team fails to report in with a periodic radio report (QSO). Ensure that all know the call signs and
proper radio procedures. If you will need to talk with a satellite camp, pre-plan and request and
permit internal frequencies off the QSO net. Check you primary navigational and survival aids. Are
GPS’s set for the same datum and coordinate system as your maps (and just as importantly, the
control agencies maps!) are your compasses properly corrected for declination?
5) When possible, reconnoitre to verify the tentative plan:
If nothing else, talk with the people who live there or have just returned form the field, get their
opinion. Listen more than you speak.
6) Complete the plan:
At this point you have all of the input you need for successful fieldwork.
7) Make a written day to plan and issue it to your team:
Ensure that they keep it with their important papers. The plan should carry frequencies and
reminders of emergency procedures. It should include basic medical data (at least blood type) and
next of kin information for each of the members. All should keep this in the same place – so that it
is easily found in case of need. Ensure the controlling authorities receive copies of the plan.
8) Prior to leaving inspect one final time:
Personal survival kits, medical/insurance cards and working permits/passports, weapons and
ammunition, clothing (all should have what is on the packing list, and not more or less, if this is a
weight consideration), equipment (sleeping bags: zippers work? Tents enough pegs etc., assignment
essential equipment and back-up to this equipment. Check Radios, extra batteries, communication
frequencies and protocols. Also ensure Non-radio (visual) communication protocols and sets (signal