Gary Tuchman: Rescue at the Antarctic

Dr. Ronald Shemenski is suffering from pancreatitis

Q: What is Dr. Shemenski’s condition?

Tuchman: It is important to stress his pancreatitis is not necessarily life-threatening. It is a potentially life-threatening condition. Nevertheless, authorities know that if they wait a few more months, it could be very dangerous for Dr. Shemenski.

Q: If the condition is not life-threatening, why is a rescue being attempted now?

Tuchman: Authorities are saying that this is their riskiest rescue mission to the South Pole. When Dr. Jerri Nielsen was rescued in October of 1999, the Southern Hemisphere’s summer was about to begin. During this rescue effort, the Southern Hemisphere winter is about to begin, making this a more dangerous effort. The conditions during the winter will make it literally impossible to rescue someone. Therefore, it is considered the safest and most pragmatic thing to do to rescue him right now when they have the shot. The rescue plane is hoping to leave the Amundsen-Scott Station as soon as possible, but they will judge it by the weather conditions.

Second Antarctic rescue mission leaves for South Pole
April 24, 2001

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