S5 Ep13: Can I work in Antarctica with a medical condition?
From Iceworld by British Antarctic Survey
June 12, 2026 · 36 min · Season 5 · Episode 13
About this episode
This episode discusses the medical assessment process for working in Antarctica, especially for those with existing conditions.
If you’re thinking of applying for a job in Antarctica, the medical assessment process might feel daunting – especially if you have an existing condition. But as Dr Matt Warner, Director of the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit, explains in this episode – its to help you get south, not to stop you. Nadia Frontier sits down with Matt to find out exactly what the assessment involves, how conditions ranging from physical to mental health are evaluated, and what happens when things go wrong in one of the most remote places on Earth. Along the way, they cover everything from how BAS kept its stations Covid-free before a vaccine existed, and why it can take longer to evacuate someone from Antarctica than from the International Space Station. Whether you have a medical condition you’re worried about, questions about confidentiality, or you simply want to understand what it takes to be cleared for deployment – this episode is the place to start. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to Antarctica. What's it like living and working in one of the most extreme environments in the world? From polar scientists to plumbers…
People in this episode
Host: Nadia Frontier
Guest: Dr Matt Warner
Topics covered
- medical assessment
- Antarctica
- employment
- health conditions
- remote work
- Covid-19
- evacuation
Keywords
- Antarctica
- medical assessment
- employment
- health conditions
- Covid-19
- evacuation
- remote work
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: British Antarctic Survey
More episodes of Iceworld
- S5 Ep12: Meet the carpenters of Antarctica · May 5, 2026 · 30 min
- S5 Ep11: Can you be vegan in Antarctica? · April 7, 2026 · 33 min
- S5 Ep10: Living and working in the polar desert · March 2, 2026 · 31 min
- S5 Ep9: Fixing aircraft in Antarctica · February 16, 2026 · 29 min
- S5 Ep8: Christmas in Antarctica · December 22, 2025 · 29 min
- S5 Ep7: What to wear in Antarctica · November 24, 2025 · 36 min
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