When working in the field in Antarctica, protocols and instructions for actions in case of encountering risky situations are always followed. The possibility of such situations always exists, given the specifics and peculiarities of the place. The situation with Vasil Gurev from the last few days is an example of this, the commander of the base Kamen Nedkov told BTA.
According to him, when everything goes smoothly, because everyone knows what to do, how to do it and approaches it with the necessary respect, there is always a danger of getting into a routine and neglecting small details, and when three – four small factors come together, they form one big one. That is why Kamen Nedkov says that it is important to conduct frequent briefings and refresh knowledge, and in the event of situations that arise, after their completion, to analyze and discuss, and to draw the appropriate conclusions.
„Incidents like the one from the last few days give us the opportunity to realize where we are, how small details are important and must be observed. Not everything can be predicted, of course. When we find ourselves in a situation, the next actions must be the most correct, happen with the right sequence and speed, everyone must be calm, the information that flows between people in the field and at the base must be sufficiently brief, clear and synthesized, so that each subsequent action is correct and measured. There have been similar situations over the years, but they have all ended successfully“, said the base commander.
Kamen Nedkov explained that the projects implemented at the Bulgarian Antarctic base are becoming more daring every year, more and more complex equipment is used, and this requires more and more proper preparation. He said that it is necessary for people who come to work at the base to be prepared in advance and with more than one profile of knowledge. According to him, there is a lot to learn, see and adapt to one's own knowledge in Antarctica, so that it can be applied in a similar place. Nedkov emphasizes that the presence of suitable and prepared field assistants is of utmost importance.
“In addition, we are fortunate that for the second year in a row, one of the two doctors at the base is Dr. Sevdalina Mihaylova. She is an anesthesiologist-resuscitator at the pediatric anesthesiology and intensive care clinic in Pirogov, but also an active member of the Mountain Rescue Service (MSS). She has participated in numerous actions in the mountains and is one of the people who lead the pre-medical aid training for mountain rescuers. She has an absolutely real idea of how communication is conducted in such situations and what are the important things that need to be emphasized in order to approach it adequately“, the commander of the Bulgarian base also said.
“Also, the fact that we have had a ship in the last few years gives us an extremely great peace of mind that if something happens - we have its help. The vessel is here, in front of the base, and in the next hour it can react and be at an obviously distant destination for a boat, but a very easy one for a ship. It can launch boats and react in remote points of the island and the waters around it. With the ship, these situations would be handled quickly and easily, says Kamen Nedkov.
“Separately for security both on land and on water, there is a direct connection and communication with the Spanish base and very often joint activities are carried out in the field with their and our boats, sleds or going out on skis“, explains the base commander. The collaboration between us gives us the knowledge and confidence that when a situation arises, we are in sync with each other and can work as a team.
The reason to recall all this was the situation from the last few days, in which physicist Vasil Gurev fell into an ice crevasse. The two participants in it - Vasil Gurev and Alexander Valchev - told BTA more about the situation itself.
Field assistant Alexander Valchev explained to BTA that such situations happen in similar terrains and that is why people there are required to go on skis and tied to an alpine harness. According to him, what happened was not something incredible, extraordinary or a serious incident. As the situation developed, he reported it to the base and communication began between him, the base commander and Dr. Mihaylova. After going through the protocol for such a situation, two field assistants left for the scene. At this time, Valchev took further action to secure Gurev and extract him.
„Vasko was completely calm in the crevasse, we talked and thought together. He is experienced and took the appropriate actions that he could do inside. He secured himself additionally with ice pipes, took off his skis and freed himself from the trapped position so that he could help me. I gave him an additional rope, with which I helped him get out. With joint efforts, he got out, he was not injured in any way. He rested for a while, we followed Dr. Mihaylova's instructions and shortly after, the team from the base was also on the ground. We came home together and everything ended well.“, said Alexander Valchev.
“First of all, I must say that if this is news for Sofia, for Antarctica and for those of us who have been working here for more than months on the glaciers, this is somewhat everyday life“, physicist Vasil Gurev told BTA.
“The cracks are part of the glacier, of its life. When there is a lot of snow, it is more trivial - one goes with skis. When there is less snow, the glacier is open and the cracks are very visible, but there is also an average period when there is very little snow on the cracks and ice, especially if a few centimeters of new fresh snow has fallen, it is already a little more delicate and one can fall into a crack. That is why we walk tied according to all the rules and standards“, he said. According to him, what happened was nothing special.
“At some point I fell, my partner Sasho held me“, added Gurev. He added that anyone who walks on a glacier can sooner or later have such a problem. “The more serious problem was that a person is hanging and has skis on their feet, which in this situation definitely interfere. I drove an ice wedge, this is an ice barrel, into one of the walls of the crevasse, I stabilized and could fight the situation more. I unhooked my skis, which honestly, although I have a lot of experience in one thing or another, had never happened to me, hanging on a harness, to unhook my skis without having poles“, the scientist said. He added that his partner then handed him an auxiliary rope and a second ice wedge. While he was trying to secure himself, Alexander Valchev was making a rig to help him.
„We started the extraction process, I helped myself with the upper wedge, Sasho was very actively helping with the auxiliary rope and the extraction rig. I stepped on the upper wedge and already saw the big world. When I came out, I was pleased to see that in a few minutes Sasho had done everything that needed to be done. Then the base chief and our charming doctor came. It is interesting that I had intended to continue working on the glacier, since the next rake that we had to measure was 40-50 meters away, but they insisted that we go home“, Vasil Gurev also said.
It was only when I went down to the base that I saw that I was too wet, he added and noted that when a person is under the effect of adrenaline, he does not always give an accurate assessment of his condition.
“I feel quite good, we continue working on the glacier and in a few more days here at least our team should finish the work and everything is fine“, Gurev concluded.