My sister will soon be visiting India for 3-6 months. I have asked if she will be taking a survival kit. She told me no. I said that she should at least take some water puri tabs, and she told me that she would be imunised against cholera. I will buy her some puri tabs, and if I put together a cheap kit and give it to her she cant really turn it down. What should i contain in a kit for india?
thanks

Pete:

My company has sent quite a few employees over to India in the past few years. Despite having all the suggested immunizations a couple of them have gotten quite ill. In both cases the cause could be traced back to bad water in either its natural state or as an ingredient in cooking.

If your sister will be staying in a well established hotel (such as a Hilton) she should be fine. The water there will be filtered or bottled. If she is not, however, I would strongly suggest an actual water filter (MSR, PUR, etc.) and water containers (such as Nalgene).

You may also wish to include a good supply of over the counter medications such as pain relievers and antacids. I understand from our Indian co-workers that such things can be hard to get in some areas.

I would also give her a small, led flashlight to clip to her pack or clothing. I got my parents a pair of Photon II's for their trip to the UK and they love them. A very small compass with a keyring attachment might be an asset as well if she knows how to use it.

I think the trick here is not to push the items as a "Survival Kit" but more as "I saw this in a shop and thought it would be useful to you".

Chris

thanks, thats really helpful

Hi,

Years ago I went for 6 weeks to India, my friend for over a year.
I think your sister don't need a special survival kit. It makes more sence to know how "India works". Puritabs or anything similar are not necessary, if you drink only bottled water. Brush your teeth with bottled water too. Don't eat ice creme, don't eat uncooked vegetables and unpelled fruits. Think about: Peel it, cook it or forget it!
If she drinks fruit juice (you find everywhere fresh pressed juice- great!) then take it without ice (it is stored on the side of the road or walkway).
She should take syringes and needles, not every doctor has sufficient or clean ones. Take some kind of medicine with you and give the away as a nice present for new indish friends (they will love it).
Information is the best survival-tip! (Robert Pelton Young).

I wish her much fun and take care,
Dieter
Stuttgart/Germany