Polar Plunge Advice
Currently onboard Quark’s Ultramarine en route to Texas Bar on a Svalbard expedition.
A couple of days ago we sailed northwest of the archipelago to the edge of the sea ice and many passengers participated in the polar plunge. Unfortunately, immediately afterward, one passenger - likely in their 70s - suffered a serious cardiac event in the sauna.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched from Longyearbyen, but because of the distance involved, it had to refuel using Ultramarine’s onboard aviation fuel before returning. (Quark’s own helicopters are not carried onboard during Svalbard voyages.) Without that fuel onboard, the ship would likely have needed to close distance under its before evacuation could occur.
Just a reminder that while the polar plunge is overwhelmingly a fun and memorable experience, the combination of extreme cold, rapid reheating, and preexisting medical conditions can carry real risks. If you have any cardiac or health concerns, it’s worth speaking with your physician before participating.
For those wondering: the passenger was successfully transported via Longyearbyen onward to Tromsø alongside their spouse and another family member, and is reportedly stable. The response from the expedition team, onboard medical staff, and navigational crew seemed well drilled and competent.