16500 Condoms for Antarctica base Scientists

What do you do when you are facing a six month long period in a freezing cold place with nowhere to go? Sex would cross your mind. At least it does cross the minds of those lonely research scientists and staff at the U.S. Research base in Antarctica.

Once they had stocked themselves with other life saving essential survival supplies, one of the last things to reach the U.S. research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness was a year's supply of condoms. (they are lying. That supply would last an average householder a couple of life times and some to spare)

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. (they could have kept one person busy at the sales counter)

The base only has a skeleton staff of 125 persons through the long winter. Lets do some simple maths here. Assuming there is an equal number of male and female ratio on the base that makes roughly 62 couples. 16500 condoms divided by 62 is approximately 266 (give or take a torn condom :) ) and 6 months have 180 days. WOW...Everyone who wishes he/she was on that base raise your hand.

This simple maths means that on average they will be having sex 1.5 times a day. Heyyyy... aren't those guys going to do any research and stuff!!

"Since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable," said Henriksen, the manager. I can tell he uses (misuses) maximum condoms. I just have a gut feeling dude.

About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at McMurdo base, the largest community in Antarctica, during the winter months when there is constant darkness. (What are they researching? Durability of the condom in darkness!!!)

The first sunrise will occur on August 20 and McMurdo's population will start to increase again in September when supply flights resume, peaking at more than 1,000 during the summer period.

If there is any condom malfunction maybe the population rise will be more than expected. ;)