Arctic Ocean, 27 August 2026

The expedition is already approaching its halfway point. How quickly time passes here! After the first intense weeks, life on board Oden has begun to settle into a routine. The researchers are working intensively to collect data from the various projects – acoustic surveys of the seafloor, recovery and analysis of seafloor sediments, studies of the temperature, salinity and composition of Arctic Ocean water at different depths, drilling ice cores and analysing the structure of the ice – and much more. The weather over the past few days has been variable, with several low-pressure systems and fog, but also periods of sunshine over ice-covered areas and open water. Several snowfalls have made the decks extremely slippery, which naturally calls for particular caution when spending time and working on deck.

Safety on the ice

Between the banks of fog, a few helicopter flights have been possible to sample ice on floes farther from Oden. Protective equipment, including safety lines and survival suits, is essential for carrying out these missions. When working on the ice, careful watchkeeping is extremely important so the team can evacuate quickly if a polar bear approaches.

Safety analysis and preventive measures are crucial on expeditions of this kind. Anticipating potential risks and preventing accidents is always the top priority. Meteorological analysis of weather and visibility conditions determines whether a mission can go ahead. Safety measures and preparations also cover everything from avoiding slips on patches of ice and wearing appropriate clothing to minimise the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, to using effective sun protection to prevent damage to the skin and eyes. Avoiding crush injuries and other trauma when handling often cumbersome equipment also requires preparation and effective teamwork.

Medical care and well-being on board

Those of us working in Oden’s medical team during the expedition are prepared to provide rapid medical assessment and care in the event of an incident. Medical assessment may also be needed in cases of infection or for other healthcare needs. To minimise as far as possible the risk of an unexpected medical event during the expedition, every participant and staff member is required before departure to undergo a health examination, including blood tests, a cardiac examination and a medical assessment, to identify any underlying risk factors that could increase the risk during the expedition.

In addition to preventive measures, general well-being and a strong sense of community, shared laughter, time to rest and sufficient sleep are naturally very important in ensuring that everyone can thrive and feel well during the expedition. We are served three fantastic and delicious meals every day on Oden – and great credit goes to the kitchen staff, whose work contributes so much to this exciting and rewarding expedition far up in the Arctic.

Text: Elisabeth Frost (Nurse) and Leif Dotevall (Medical Doctor)