Antarctic Research Base Gets Shipment Of 16,500 Condoms For Use During Long Winter
All of which are to be used by the 125-scientist research crew that’s on hand during the winter.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - One of the last shipments to a U.S. research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness was a year’s supply of condoms, a New Zealand newspaper reported Monday.
Bill Henriksen, the manager of the McMurdo base station, said nearly 16,500 condoms were delivered last month and would be made available, free of charge, to staff throughout the year to avoid the potential embarrassment of having to buy them.
The base only has a skeleton staff through the long winter.
“Since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable,” Henriksen told the Southland Times newspaper.
About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at McMurdo base, the largest community in Antarctica, during the winter months when there is constant darkness.
16,500 condoms works out to roughly 45 condoms used each and every day. With 125 scientists, or roughly 62 couples (takes two to tango right?) that pretty much everyone at McMurdo base would have to pair up and get laid about once a day to use up all those rubbers.
Conclusion? “Antarctic researcher” has just moved up on the “career choices” list for a lot of high school males.
