Surviving World Travel

Surviving World Travel

2003 Copyright RBJ

We wound through the emerald green foliage, moisture hung in the air and our clothes were permeated with it. We had been traversing this stretch of cloud forest for three days and had gradually adjusted to the daily rituals common to many adventure travelers. Mornings began with rich, hot coffee presented to us at our tent followed by a regal breakfast prepared by our porters. We then packed our belongings and began trekking, carrying only what we would need for the day. The rest of our gear was carried for us to the next campsite. This type of adventure travel has become a serious business and many people are willing to pay for the “adventure”, as long as the risk is minimized. This is not always the case in these manufactured trips, let alone when we strike out on our own for distant lands. Remember the tourists recently killed by guerillas in Africa, while looking for Gorillas? As many readers of this magazine will agree, we should be individually responsible for ourselves whatever the locale, but that should not keep us from experiencing the myriad wonders we can see and experience by visiting other places and experiencing other cultures. By expanding your emergency skills and carrying a small number of multipurpose tools, you will have the ability to deal with almost any situation you may encounter. Most of these techniques and tools are appropriate in urban or wilderness situations; you must pick and choose what is necessary for your particular trip.

Very critical is a source of clean water. In hot climates humans can lose a gallon per day through perspiration. Your body and mind are most efficient and stress resistant when they are well hydrated. One of the most critical needs for those at high altitude is sufficient hydration because it has a tremendous affect on performance. Unfortunately, when we travel, we tend to under hydrate due to the presence of questionable water sources. What the people in Costa Rica may consider “good” water may tie me up for a week with dysentery, because my bodies immune system is not adapted to the microbiological beasties that our present. A recent study has shown that 40% of all international travelers get “Traveler’s Diarrhea”, but you have several options to assure microbiologically safe water. Purification via chemical means is cost effective and efficient, but may not be effective against some protozoan parasites. The best choice would be one of the commercial purifiers manufactured for the wilderness travel market. Note that I specified “purifiers” which will eliminate most if not all viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasites down to .004 microns in size from suspect water. Microfilters and filters only eliminate those microorganisms 0.2 microns and up in size, which will not be adequate for water which has an abundance of viruses like Hepatitis. Remember that these purifiers can be used on suspect tap water as well as water out of natural water sources.

Health concerns are the next consideration. Carrying a small first-aid kit should be mandatory for all outings as one never knows when the unexpected may strike. There are several commercially produced backpacking first-aid kits available at your local outdoor store. Being that there is no “perfect first-aid kit”, I prefer to assemble my own based on experience and training. It currently is loosely based on the “almost perfect first-aid kit” detailed in the book Medicine for the Backcountry by Buck Tilton and Frank Hubbell.

Mine Includes:
-A roll of athletic tape -Two trauma dressings
-Various sizes of sterile gauze pads -Coban elastic wrap
-Tincture of Benzoin -The Extractor Kit
-2d Skin -24 Ibuprofen
-16 Imodium -Hemostat
-Rubber Exam Gloves -24 Benadryl
-Scissors -Tick tweezers
-Sunscreen and chapstick -Serious jungle insect repellent
-Hibiclens or Povidone-iodine -Throat lozenges
-Safety pins -Prescriptions medicines that anyone in my party is taking(In the original prescription container, carried by that person)
-10 Band-Aids -Emergency dental kit
-Electrolyte replacement drink -Waterproof stuffsack
-CPR mask

This kit is based on my 20 years experience as a Red Cross CPR / First-aid Instructor and EMT. The difference you make in the outcome of a medical emergency will be largely based on your training and skill and not on the quantity of cool medical stuff that you drag with you. Don’t haul around anything with you that you don’t know how to use appropriately, as you can cause more harm than good. Remember that standards of medical care are much different in other so, before you leave get the teeth checked and have that appendix taken out by your own doctor. Also get the appropriate vaccinations for the countries which you are headed for. You can check out the current recommendations on the Internet sites that I list at the end of this article. Plan ahead as many of the vaccinations and prophylactic medications need to be taken care of weeks or months before you leave. Also make sure that your health insurance provides coverage outside the US, including air evacuation.

While we’re on the topic of health, we probably should consider food. For many people, part of the experience of exploring a new culture is to enjoy the gastronomic creations. This may include buying fried food of questionable origin from a street vendor or trying a new type of alcoholic beverage. Regardless how appetizing this sounds to you, both of these experiences may be ok because you are dealing with food which is cooked and a drink that has antiseptic qualities. However, I would be very wary of fresh fruit or vegetables unless they are peeled or washed with your safe water. Also beware of ice cubes in any drink. Don’t let the chances of getting a stomach bug dissuade you from experiencing the local cuisine, just be selective as to what you eat. You might include a few Cliff Bars or Power Bars for those days when you need the extra nutrition, but don’t want to experiment with local edibles.

Taking care of your microclimate is another important aspect of health. Depending on where you are traveling, you need to be prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you. For many travelers this includes being too hot as well as too cold. Tropical climes are very popular and you need to wear clothing that facilitates your comfort and keeps you from overheating. In hot environments this means lightweight, quick drying, synthetic garb. Shirts and pants should be loose fitting with venting options. Don’t forget the portable sun and rain protection provided by a broad brimmed hat or a small folding umbrella, especially when it’s too hot for raingear.

For the cooler conditions that may be experienced at high altitude or with a weather shift regardless of your local, be sure to pack insulative clothing and shell garments. A Gore-Tex parka and pants are the defacto standard for shell garments, although in some areas like the Alaska bush the residents will tell you that it just ain’t waterproof. But it works well for many conditions and a subdued color jacket may facilitate you melding in with the local populace a little better. Nothing beats a synthetic pile jacket for warmth and quick drying capability, plus the pants make wonderful sweatpants for those casual lounging afternoons on the veranda. Top it off with a windproof pile hat and wool ragg gloves and you’re all set. Some people like synthetic gloves, but for picking up a hot pot or greater resistance to wind, you can’t beat wool. In a fire emergency they could also protect your hands if you needed to put them in harms way while manifesting your escape. Based on that point about natural fiber's resistance to fire, always try to fly in cotton or wool clothing. In the flash fires that sometimes occur in aircraft, they will protect you much better than any synthetic and will not melt into your skin under high heat conditions. I always try to carry a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt for this purpose. Be sure to take into account the social and religious mores of the countries you will be visiting. Some cultures request fuller coverage of the body than others and it falls upon us, as visitors to their country, to investigate and conform to these standards.

To round out your specialized wardrobe, look for a good solid pair of trekking shoes, preferably with good ankle support and a fairly aggressive sole pattern. Don’t skimp on these because the condition of your feet will set the whole tone for your trip. Those of you trekking to the more remote corners of our globe will want to pay special attention to their footwear. The waterproofness of Gore-Tex lined boot makes them welcome in swampy conditions, but can also make them very hot. For many adventurers one pair of shoes must suffice for everything from tracking through the bush to attending the local concert. Working in tandem with a good pair of boots is your socks. Some prefer a lightweight synthetic covered by a heavyweight wool sock, others prefer one medium weight sock. Go with what you know, but choose socks that are durable, washable, and comfortable. Be sure to bring enough pairs.

Many items and services that we take for granted just don’t exist in some areas. Travel also instills other limitations, which include political realities, luggage limitations, and unforeseeable circumstance. Of course some would tell you that very loss of control is what makes travel so alluring. I still like to hedge my bets though and carry a few items which would support my efforts should trouble strike. I try to keep most of this stuff with me when I travel either on my person or in a medium size day pack, which easily carries my survival kit while leaving room for purchases in the market or bad weather clothing should conditions warrant it

On my person I always carry a windproof, water resistantant lighter for fire starting in gnarly weather, another critical need and skill. In a hidden security pouch rides my passport or copy if my original is stored in the hotel safe, travelers checks with the numbers recorded and stashed in my wife’s security pouch, and my credit card. I also keep business cards (good for making you look like an important person), official letters for the same purpose, and family photos to share part of my world with people I meet. In today’s uncertain political climate it’s probably best to leave the government I.D. or politically sensitive paperwork at home. A good watch is a necessity in many parts of the world where the only way to get around is my tightly scheduled train or bus. You will also need a flexible, tough, portable flashlight for finding your way around camp, and reading that romantic novel while in your bush camp bed. Finally, I always carry a good Benchmade folding knife, which has less than a 4” blade, which allows me to carry it on most airline flights without a problem.

I also recommend carrying a journal, lots of decorated pens for giving away to the local kids in the undeveloped areas, polarized sunglasses, maps, canteen, compass, signal mirror and a guidebook for the area. These items supplement my ability to keep myself secure and protected, find my way around and signal someone if necessary.

When facing critical gear or clothing repair during extended jaunts into the field, I utilize a comprehensive Wilderness Repair Kit manufacturer by Outdoor Research. It contains everything from epoxy to aluminum plate, including adequate supplies to repair most camping gear, adventure sports gear, and personal items. It’s not something you couldn’t assemble yourself, but likely at greater expense and time commitment. I supplement it with additional duct tape (you can never have too much duct tape) and a Leatherman Wave tool.

One thing that you can never have enough of is information. This should start long before your actual trip by researching on the Internet, reading travel guides, and pouring over maps. If you are so inclined, learn the language of the country you’re going to. It is the ultimate demonstration of respect to learn another people’s language and it will enhance your trip immensely. Knowing the political and social situations where you are traveling can make a big difference in your security and enjoyment of the trip. Listening to the radio is a great way to discern other people’s perceptions of what’s going on in a particular region of the world. This can also be valuable if the political situation in the country you are visiting shifts while you are there. Local broadcasters may not give you the real story, which is why I carry a compact short-wave receiver, which allows me to bolster my information base and make better decisions. The rest of the time it lulls me to sleep with music and wakes me up in the morning. A final information-gathering tool is a good pair of binoculars. They will open up new horizons that you would otherwise miss, bring animals and grand vistas close, and supplement your knowledge of changing situations. Bigger is better when it comes to light gathering capability, but I prefer a compact model with medium magnification and durable rubber armor.

A topic, which can lead to endless discussion, is personal security while travelling. Although I mentioned that I always carry a folding knife that some consider to be adequate for personal defense, I am not a knife fighter and don’t anticipate resorting to that in a sticky situation. Generally, firearms are not available for defense while traveling out of the country. Other alternatives include perfecting a martial art, which is not practical for most folks. Practicing with and utilizing common objects like a walking stick for defense may be the best option for some. Capsicum pepper sprays are legal in some countries, but many limit their use to animals. If you have it with you legally then it may be acceptable. Beware however that in some cases it is illegal to transport these sprays by aircraft.

My intent has not been to highlight all the bad situations that you can encounter while traveling, but to emphasize that it is entirely possible to explore the world and, by taking a few simple precautions, still travel in relative safety. Not everything is controllable, nor should it be. A Seasoned traveler will learn, adapt, and assume responsibility for their actions. This will demonstrate great respect for the people you are visiting, teach you a few things and make you realize that we all have more in common than we have different. Finally, remember that the two most powerful devices you have in your survival kit are your functioning brain and a sincere smile.

Internet Sites For Travel Information and Security

http://www.fieldingtravel.com/df/index.htm

http://www.fco.gov.uk/

http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/

http://www.ds.state.gov/travel.html

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

http://pgis.pinkertons.com/pgis/

http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html