QUESTION: 
What are the dangers involved while you are on a zodiac?
How do you handle emergency situations while on a zodiac?
        
        Danny T.,8th grader,  Juan Morel Campos Intermediate 
        School 71, Brooklyn, NY 


ANSWER: From Randy Sliester, Palmer station Boating coordinator
        Ocean search & rescue leader  
        1/30/97


In answer to your questions, Danny. there are several that we worry 
about here with the boating operations.

 The first is the environment water temp here is about 28.5 degree F.
 that gives the average person just about 15 minutes before they become
 unconscious if they fell into the water, also the weather can change very 
 quickly high winds can flip the boats over.

 The boats are a rubber inflatable and can be punctured by ice if  you
 hit it at speed so driving through the ice needs to be slow and careful
 and there are a few other things we worry about but I will keep this short.
 As to what we do about the dangers well there is a group of us here that
 are trained in Ocean search and rescue as well as the doctor on 
 station. The big thing we do about the dangers is to train the scientist to be
 careful in the field , we keep a close eye on the weather and ice conditions
 this way we can recall any field parties in if conditions are 
 becoming  worse. I hope this answers some of your questions.