Five Days on Ice: Redefining Survival Under the Polar Code

In polar regions, rescue is not a matter of minutes - it is a matter of days. That stark reality underpins the International Maritime Organization’s Polar Code, which mandates that life-saving appliances must support survival for up to five days in Arctic or Antarctic conditions. Meeting that standard has proven far more complex than simply issuing immersion suits.

Understanding the Polar Code

The Polar Code is a mandatory safety framework for ships operating in polar waters. It governs vessel design, equipment, crew training, and emergency preparedness. One of its most demanding requirements is survivability: ensuring that crew members can endure five days in freezing temperatures, often stranded on drifting ice, with minimal shelter and limited resources.

Before the Arctic 10+ PC: A Compliance Gap

Prior to the launch of White Glacier’s Arctic 10+ PC suit, most vessels relied on neoprene-based immersion suits that were not fully compliant with the Polar Code’s five-day survival mandate. These suits often carried PELO certificates, which indicated basic safety approval but did not meet the full Polar Code requirements.

To compensate, many operators relied on safety plans that attempted to bridge the gap:

• Contingency-based compliance: Plans assumed rapid rescue or favorable weather—assumptions that rarely held true in polar emergencies.

• Supplemental gear reliance: Some plans depended on life rafts or shelters that were not integrated with the suit system.

• Limited thermal testing: Suits were evaluated for short-term immersion, not prolonged exposure on ice.

This created a dangerous gray zone: suits that were technically approved but not engineered for the full five-day survival window the Polar Code demands.

Why Neoprene Falls Short

Neoprene suits, while widely used, face critical limitations in polar survival scenarios:

• Thermal compression: Neoprene’s insulating bubbles compress in extreme cold, reducing effectiveness.

• Water absorption: Extended exposure leads to saturation, increasing weight and discomfort.

• Restricted mobility: Bulk and stiffness hinder movement and shelter integration.

• Lack of survival systems: Most neoprene suits lack built-in hydration, signaling, or modular shelter compatibility.

In short, neoprene suits were never designed for multi-day survival on ice.

The Arctic 10+ PC Breakthrough

White Glacier’s Arctic 10+ PC suit was the first to fully meet the Polar Code’s five-day survival requirement with integrated systems and verified performance:

• Micro aluminized contained air: Maintains buoyancy and insulation without absorbing water.

• Modular survival systems: Includes hydration, emergency rations, signaling devices, and compatibility with shelters and rafts.

• Extended wear comfort: Ergonomic fit, vapor barriers, and psychological support features for multi-day use.

• Certified compliance: Goes beyond PELO certification to meet full Polar Code standards.

This was not just a product launch—it was a leap forward in polar safety.

Beyond the Suit: Other Challenges to Viability

Even with advanced gear, surviving five days on ice presents formidable challenges:

• Ice drift and instability: Survivors may be stranded on shifting floes, complicating rescue efforts.

• Limited visibility: Fog, snow, and darkness demand high-visibility gear and signaling systems.

• Psychological strain: Isolation and cold-induced cognitive decline require gear that supports mental resilience.

• Nutrition and hydration: Supplies must be compact, freeze-resistant, and accessible within bulky gear.

Why This Matters

As polar activity surges—from shipping and tourism to research and defense—the Polar Code’s five-day survival mandate becomes a defining benchmark for gear viability. White Glacier’s Arctic 10+ PC suit sets a new standard, not just for compliance, but for real-world survivability.

In the polar regions, survival is not theoretical. It is personal.