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Survival in the Arctic

The north polar region is a frozen ocean, the Arctic Ocean. The south polar region, or Antarctic continent, is a land mass which is extremely cold, and almost entirely covered by ice. This ice can be up to an amazing 15,000 feet (4.6 km) thick! Both Antarctica and the Arctic have seasonal extremes of darkness and daylight. Generally speaking, the nights are long, even continuous, in winter. This can be a problem if you are a survivor because no heat is received directly from the sun, making the temperatures very cold. The annual mean temperature during the winter in Antarctica is -76°F (-60°C), and in the Arctic it is -40°F (-40°C). Because of the tough polar environment, movement should be made only if you are in danger. The decision to travel when in a survival predicament should be based on the likelihood that you can reach safety before rescuers are able to find you, but be aware that the arctic air is very clear, making it difficult to estimate distances. Therefore, do not move if you are near a large object, like a crashed plane, as rescuers will be able to quickly locate you. If you decide to leave camp, place a marker to show the rescue crews where you have gone. The snow-block shadow signal is the best signal in snow conditions. Simply build up snow in a large tall arrow flat on the ground. It should be as large as possible in an open area and should point exactly in the direction you intend to travel.

Soldiers of the Mountain and Artic Warfare Cadre, a specialized squad within the No. 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines.