Some discussion from when this was posted just over a year ago:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1053148

Includes several references to equally incredible/bizarre feats.

An advertisement on AU TV featured a layman (not a surgeon) who attempted his own appendectomy. He didn't complete it himself (rushed to hospital) but an interview clip with a surgeon said he had performed other operations before, and "his technique was pretty good". I really enjoyed hearing his appreciation. I have no idea if this is online somewhere, but it was an ad. for medical insurance.

Personally I find shaving in the mirror challenging :-)

now imagine the same in antarctica, when drunk, without a sharp blade (no electric razor ofc) and no light :) add extreme pain that can drop you unconscious at any moment... some serious preparation would be needed, hard to imagine what he must have been going through.

Not that this isn't amazing, but is it really toughness and bravery to do what's necessary to save your own life?

"Not that this isn't amazing, but is it really toughness and bravery to do what's necessary to save your own life?"

Yes.

Staying conscious through that is enough of a feat in itself.