Flying in Africa

More precisely, in Kenya and parts of Sudan.

Two good friends of ours are leaving just after Christmas to work with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (www.maf.org) in Kenya. They are both experienced commercial pilots and have spent the last couple of years learning to fly bush planes in and out of remote jungle and mountain strips.

Does anyone have any tips on survival in that part of Africa? They've received extensive training on flying in the region, dealing with local politics, and what to do if they're kidnapped by terrorists, etc. I was thinking more specifically of the usual things we discuss.

For example, I have a couple of spare Mora knives - would it be advisable to donate these or would they be better off buying machetes locally?

I also would like to donate a spare Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pack, still in the original packaging, but would it need to be customized for the east African location or is the stuff in it pretty much universal for all conditions?

What kind of sleeping bags, shelters, etc. would they need if stranded overnight, or for several nights? What could they expect in the way of Search and Rescue?

Can anyone recommend any good references on survival skills and equipment needed in this area?

They are limited in what they can take over, so my plan was to put together a small package and mail it to them overseas. Any inside info on what might be confiscated or seized?

I appreciate any feedback, especially informed opinions based on experience with the region.

Thanks in advance.

Mosquito netting.

Water treatment.

Sue

Aside from Malaria shots/AK-47 (if applicable),If You get the Doug Ritter PSK's,Get an Xtra one,So you may use it as a Demonstration/Training Module,& Make sure your Friends Know how to Use,Everything Contained in the Kit,& How to Un-pack it,Re-assemble it,Then Emphasize The Importance of Keeping that Kit on your person,At All Times!If I were to Travel that Region,I would wear Boxer Brief Underwear,& Stash the kit in the Fly of the Underwear.In lieu of a Machete,I would Prefer a Short Zulu Spear,It has proven itself on that Continent 1000's of yrs,Prior to the invention of the machete,Thereafter as Well! I Fortify my Doug Ritter-PSK's with 2 xtra TinderQuiks,10-MP-1 Tablets,6-Strike anywhere Matches dipped in wax,30' of 10lb. Spyderwyre(Fishing line),4-#12 Treble Hooks,4-#14 swivels,4-BB sinkers for fishing,As well as Bird/Animal snares!Nalgene Canteens with Tan Covers& Canteen cups,on a Tan Utility Belt would be awesome,As would a Few-5/16"x3" Ferro rods(Get xtras to hand out to the locals),dispersed amongst your person/canteen covers,Tan Clothing is Very Common,Stealthy if need be!Many,Many more Suggestions,But This is The Bare Minimus,I would Prefer,Personally!That area in particular,Is Extremely Volatile,Desperate! Add to the Fact,Humans are Very Low on the Foodchain in Most of Africa!You might want to check out the Consular General of Canada,As to How best to mail a Pkg to that Region,Without it being Pilfered/Stolen! Good Luck in Your Endeavours!

I'd disagree with Rich on the weapons...
Yeah, malaria pills (not shots!) if needed in that part of the world. I'm sure that's being covered by whoever is sending them there.

Weather-appropriate clothing. Sunblock. Something for water - isn't that pretty arid?

naturally an EPIRB/PLB
quality multitool or Swiss Army knife
good lensatic compass
poncho and mosquito netting
machete
firesteel and backup
jungle hammock with cordage
good boots and sandals to allow feet to dry in camp
bandanna, brimmed hat, supplex nylon quick dry shirts (not fire retardant if that is a problem)
extensive FAK with good prescription antibiotics/antifungals and dental supplies... sterile sutures and syringes
self contained cook stove/metal pot
PSK with good signal mirror/whistle/pen flare
metal water bottle with Steripen/solar charger and back up pills
quality LED headlamp/batteries, quality LED hand held light
secure document pouch..
copy of birth certificate/passport/shot records
blood chit set up by MAF

One suggestion I've often heard for people spending significant time in Africa is to bring along several sets of sealed hypodermic needles and syringes. Perhaps even an IV start kit. If you ever do need an injection, you can offer your own kit to at least ensure that the needle and syringe are clean. This needs to be done carefully, of course, so as not to raise the hackles of any drug cops you come across.

My experience traveling in Africa (West Africa, so somewhat different) is that the most important thing to bring is your patience, sense of humor, and a warm smile. Most people, in most places, are nice, and will help if asked.

Oh, and the sense of humor is key if you are taking Larium for malaria profilaxis. That stuff messes with you head!

Totally agree with Susan. Having spent some time there, these are two things you will use a lot. Get plenty of water treatment supplies. Most of the area they are looking at is not cold, but some sort of emergency shelter/bivy would not be a bad idea.

I entertained myself earlier this year by reading a few classic books on African exploration including Stanley's How I found Livingston. One wilderness skill that still seems relevant to both 19th century explorers and someone stranded by an air crash is building a 'boma' -- which is a enclosure (essentially of thorny branches) that keeps you from becoming a meal at night.

I think any aircraft in Kenya should have the same sort of minimum supplies that bush aircraft use to be required to carry in Alaska -- notably including a rifle -- but otherwise modified for the warmer climate.

See the Alaskan and Canadian requirements elsewhere on this site: http://www.equipped.org/ak_cnda.htm

Satellite Phone?
http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=210782#Post210782

I'm gonna' try to be as Non-Political as Possible! I've spent some time in South Africa,Yes I know it's Alot Different than The Sudan & Kenya,But only because S.A. is Very used to the prescence of Embembe'(Pink skins) Sounds like Star Trek,Doesn't it?Anybody here,Hear of Darfur? Where in The Sudan,are any Christian Missionaries going to have Safe AirSpace to fly in The Sudan?Yes,I know this is getting a Very Sharp edge,So I'll stop there,& Let people google-The Sudan Northern Kenya I believe has a Very High Concentration of Refugees from Somalia,So Kenya has their hands full,& tolerance levels are at an extreme low! PLB/EPIRBS-If you happen to be Lucky enough to be Flying over the Indian Ocean,There is the possibility of rescue,due to The Higher than Normal flow of Naval vessels Concentrated in that area,because of ALOT of Piracy going on,at The present.Hey Art,you can jump in anytime,If you like! SAR? In Kenya/The Sudan,Highly Unlikely,though Cell phones are the most common form of Communicade in Africa,at present!All I can say is,People need to learn a bit of Geography,& I'm Not talking about Bearings either!

Especially in light of Richlacal's insight, have you considered rescue/evac insurance?

Hi

From my personal experience as a flight medic in Africa:

Don't travel without a good medevac / emergency hospitalization insurance (SOS International, REGA, AXA, BUPA, etc).
In most places, medical treatment is extremely limited and a (very) fast transfer to an adequate facility in Europe will often determine the outcome.

Carry at all times:
1. an IV administration kit + Sterile Saline Solution.
2. Hypodermic needles
3. Syringes (2.5 ml / 5 ml / 10 ml )
4. Sutures (different types)
5. Wide Spectrum antibiotics (IV antibiotics also recommended - i.e. Rocephine )
6. Celox (or equivalent) granules and dressings
7. Israeli Bandage (small + medium)

Drinking Water is always an issue ! (endemic cholera, cryptosporidium, schistosomiasis, amoebas, etc)
1. Boil your water for 10 min.
2. Carry a good personal water filtration system (i.e. Katadyn Pocket )
3. do not eat uncooked food (i.e. salads ) or anything that has been washed with local water
4. That includes brushing your teeth with contaminated water

Malaria is an important issue. Even if you do take Lariam (high occurence of highly undesirable side effects), it will not provide full protection against the Plasmodium Falciparum variety.
Always use netting for sleeping (carefully check for trapped mosquitoes before using).

PLB's are of limited efficiency in Africa - there are no SAR services in many regions.
A good Satellite phone is highly recommended (i.e. Irridium)- A dependable solar energy charging device is also advisable (no electricity in many areas).

Credit Cards are not always accepted (lots of scams) - and it will certainly not help if you need to "buy" your way out.
Always carry at least 1000 $ (in 50$ bills) in water tight bags (carefully hidden in your shoes).

Good luck.

Thank you. It is always nice to hear from someone who has been there and done that.

I am just curious about your statement about boiling water for ten minutes. Various sources indicate various times for boiling in order to kill pathogens - anywhere from just boiling to ten minutes. Credible sources claim that longer times are unnecessary and are only required if you are trying to sterilize cloth for sterile bandages.

As I say, just curious - are there some exceptional organisms in Africe that require extended boiling times?

If you choose to use a water filter, remember that a filter alone won't stop viruses unless it has an iodine or chlorine stage. You'll be at much higher risk of having viruses in your water in Africa than in the backcountry of the USA.

http://sawyer.com/viral.htm

This water filter will handle viruses, and large quantities.

There is a lot more flying in that region than most people realize. A PLB would be a very good idea, just do some research to make sure you have the right one on the right frequency. One from here in the U.S. may not work there.

A PLB works worldwide.

Wow, that's a new one on me; thanks for the update. I didn't realize anyone was doing mechanical filtering of viruses.

I did some googling and it seems like the Sawyer company is a little hit-n-miss with data and customer service, but it still bears investigating. Though, I can't imagine a 0.02 micron filter (yes, that's 2/100ths of a micron!) doing very well with anything but crystal clear intake water.

In addition to the other good recommendations, a multi-fuel stove (I have long used the MSR XGK) and bottle since it can use AvGas or Jet Fuel and you don't have to carry fuel.

Good science has shown that bringing water to a boil will kill all the bugs. You don't need to keep it boiling for any time (especially at or near sea level). There of lots of comments that come from older sources around that recommend longer times.

If you use a good filter (I have used a Katadyn Pocket Filter for many years) and viruses are a problem in the area, a little chlorine (I usually use SweetWater) and 5 min will fix the problem. Fast and so little chlorine that I can't taste it.

The MIOX and SteriPen are both good options. All of the above have their strong and weak points, you should choose the one that is best for your situation. I have and use them all.

The best,

Jerry