Ergonomics in extreme environments; an explorer's perspective

by Phil Wickens, remote mountain guide and photographer
Thursday, 15 April 2010, 11.15

Lightweight travel in remote locations presents numerous challenges if it is to be carried out both safely and efficiently. Conditions are often challenging, and in the worst cases potentially lethal. Those who operate in polar and mountain environments have to cope with low temperatures, strong winds, high altitudes, sustained damp and desert conditions, which present numerous ergonomic challenges to participants and equipment designers alike. This talk, based on Phil's own expeditions and work, will present the challenges faced by those operating in extreme expedition environments, and aims to facilitate further discussion about the ergonomics of such activity.

Phil Wickens, PhD, explorer and expedition guide
Phil is a freelance lecturer, guide and photographer for expedition ships that operate in the polar regions, and a veteran of numerous expeditions to many of the world's remotest mountains. After studying biology at Imperial College, London, where he completed his PhD in plant pathology, he worked for two winters and three summers as a field guide for the British Antarctic Survey, combining his passion for natural science with that of mountain exploration and photography. Over the years he has led numerous climbing and skiing expeditions to Antarctica, Tibet, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Peru, East Greenland, the Caucasus and Canada, and was recently Vice President of the Alpine Club. As a leader and organiser of expeditions to remote, hazardous areas, Phil has to consider risk assessment, equipment design, and the ergonomics of operating in extreme environments to increase safety and maximise achievement.