Off to Honduras

Well, I’m off to Honduras in a few weeks for a 9-day mission trip. (Going to help build a church). First time there.

Any tips, pointers, comments, warnings, etc., from the ETS multitude would be most appreciated. Specifically -

Am thinking of getting a Camelbak and a water filter for drinking water, but several people have suggested against this, as it looks to “militaristic” - and the locals do not like the US military, or anyone/anything associated with it. True?

What is the terrorism threat there?

What are the rules re: PSK, my Wave, cellphone, etc.?

Thanks,

…..CLIFF

In the past no OD or camo clothes, Tan was OK for "cargo" pocket pants and muti pocket vests. Depending on how rural you'll be, you want to think about mosquito net, insect repellant and a way to be SURE that the water is OK.
A good FAK thought around your enviroment. Hat, sunglasses, and work gloves. Of course any meds you need.
If you need to see a travel MD before you go ask about gettting antibiotics or other meds to take a long just in case.
Bring 2 or 3 small flashlights ( + batts and bulbs) , as power can go out often. A small container of laundry soap will help with keeping your clothes clean. Off the top of my head that's all I can think of.

Dave

For a ready source of clean water, I always take my Katadyn Exstream Purifier to Ecuador. It is easy to carry and provides a ready source of water. Just be aware, when traveling through the airport screening areas, to have it separate or in an outside pocket of your carry-on backpack as it will show up “funny” on the x-ray machine, but other than a “what’s that”, I have had no real problems.

Standard things like duct tape, wire, wire ties, SAK, FAK, sewing kit, etc. that you have seen listed in various posts can all come in handy.

Pete

Nalgene offers a tubing "kit" to convert one of their bottles (with the straw type lid) to a water-on-the-go rig. It's little more than food grade tubing with a crimp but.....with a Nalgene bottle hanging off of a belt in some type of colorful insulated carrier, it won't look very "military". Plus, many water filters adapt to Nalgene bottles.

Just a thought.

Harley

I never really thought of my reflective blue and silver 2 liter Camelbak to be militray-looking... but to Honduran eyes who knows. I have never been that far South so I couldn't say. Seems odd though to me. Were I in your shoes I'd probably get a second opinion.

The Camelbak belongs to a friend of mine, and I was going to borrow it. It's black - he bought it in 2003 and took it to Afghanistan. It's not military per se, but.........

Don't know anyone with a more colorful Camelbak. Besides, black is so IN this year. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF

Black should be ok for a camelback, but just as long as you're not wearing olive drab clothes or cammo clothing, or have a bunch of LBV web gear hanging off of you. It's the middle of summer there right now, so make sure you keep hydrated, however you do it. Also, a big fat yes on the water filter. Giardia (or however you spell it) sucks big time (ask me how I know <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />). You shouldn't have to use it too much if you are working with a group that does a lot of this kind of stuff. If they don't have a base camp set up with a filtering system in place, then they should at least be boiling the water for everyone and have a few jugs of drinkable water for you to fill up on. If the people organizing this trip just expect you to drink the regular tap, ask for it to be boiled, and if that's not posible then filter it yourself. It's just cheap insureance.

Bring plenty of bug juice and some netting to sleep under. Impact resistant clear and shaded eye protection is highly recomended for construction (ones that won't slip off while working/being active). Sun block. Pepto pills. Flashlights are a must. Keep your passport on you at all times (except maybe while showering) not in your backpack, but on your body, like in a waist pouch under your clothes. And have a copy or two in a safe place.

God bless you, and have fun!

-Jeff

Immodium or a generic.

I can see where solid black would look a little more "tactical". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Instead of a Camelback, have you considered a hydration pack that fits inside a knapsack? Platypus makes one in several sizes with a plastic bladder and bite-tube.

How is that different from a camelbak backpack?

You can put it in any backpack, especially in some colorfull and non military looking ones...

Construction, huh? Some first-aid equipment would be good. This QuikClot stuff looks really cool, I plan to get some in the near future. Here are a couple URLs:

• http://www.quikclot.com/
• http://www.bestglide.com/quikclotpage.htm

Being able to stop bleading from a carotid or femoral artery is impressive.

Steve

Be sure to know what you are doing. Don't let the wind blow the powder in your eyes or let the powder come in contact with water. Apparently the powder reacts with water and gets HOT, hot enough to cause burns. It does not cause burns when in contact with blood. The Tactical Med section at the Lightfighter Forum has a thread going for more details.
The stuff does work, but do some research first. It comes in 3 small envelopes or 1 large. The 3 small should be fine for non "battle" uses.
Dave

Please see Journal of Trauma Aug. 04. Also after re-reading over at LF, a heat reaction does occur when in contact with blood, just not hot enough to cause burns. There also seems to be some controversy in the US Military. The Army may have stopped useing it, but the Navy has not. It was also suggested that the 1st time anyone use QuickClot, it not be on a "real Patient".

Got to run, Dave

Terrorists come in all flavors these days. In Latin America there are several anti government groups, pro government paramilitary groups, simple criminal cartels and corrupt government elements. Your best information will be the U.S. Consulate with advisories. On my one excavation in Guatamala we were told emphatically no military looking clothing. I had this rabidly political friend who gifted me with a scarlet red t shirt of Che' Guevara. I don't wear t shirts and think less of Che', but I wore it under my normal shirt to placate her. The patchouli reacted badly when her body chemistry got going. So I'm out one day wandering about and fall in with a group of insurrectos convinced I was C.I.A. with my military haircut, faded khakis and USCG reserve I.D. card. I was searched. Che' was revealed. An english speaking member showed up and sorted things out. All was well. I gave it as a gift when they warned me the military would shoot me if caught wearing it. My friend was so mad I connected with comrades in the class struggle her dreadlocks untangled from excess electrical brain activity. I noticed one of our local helpers bore a striking resemblance to one of my new amigos. He grinned under his hat and wispered "venceremos." In my field journal I noted living a moment from my favourite movie TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE and changing my graduate thesis to something in North America <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

From everything I understand about quick clot, you should try to control bleeding through conventional methods first and foremost.

Pile on the 4x4's, apply pressure, elevate, and squeeze a pressure point.

This will control 99.99999% of bleeding you'll likely ever encounter. However, if you get into a case when traditional blood control will not stop the bleeding (an artery rupture, traumatic amputation of a limb, etc) then quick clot may be appropriate.

Too many people think it's the cats meow, and without even doing much research, they purchase it and intend to use it without even considering traditional blood control methods, and that could cause more harm than good. The side effect of burns are acceptable, but only if it's that or death IMO.

You should, for sure, set up a decent first aid kit. Consider where you are in Honduras- in your location, how fast is medical assistance? This wll determine the course of action you need to take. In some places, medical help may be days away.

A good medics bag will go a long way, assuming you are trained in at least basic first aid.

Cliff, CamelBak has an entire line of hydration packs that look very non military. Bright colors, the whole shebang. Check out their website.

The best thing to do if you're concerned with the possibility of terrorist threats is to ask the rest of your group and see if anyone has been to central america before. They can give you a world of information which really helps when considering what to pack <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cliff--

This is second hand advice from my in-laws, who've made multiple, missions-related trips to Honduras: don't wear much, if any jewelry. Wedding band is OK; more rings, or flashy necklaces will likely get you robbed.

My mother-in-law habitually wore a modest gold necklace, of about 1/2" width; others with her were similarly adorned. She & some other ladies were concerned by the behaviour of a shopkeeper, who kept contriving reasons to keep them in his shop. When their local friend returned, the shop keeper spoke to him, & he then explained to the group that the locals loitering outside the door had noticed the gold, & were waiting for them to leave, at which point they planned to "grab & run", with no regard for inflicting injuries.

They then either tucked the chains inside their clothing, or removed it to pockets or purses, either of which made it more difficult simply to snatch. Their jewelry was quite understated here at home, but literally shone like gold in Honduras.

BTW, unless they've built a new one, I hear the airport in Tegucigalpa (if that's where you're headed) is, um, interesting, to say the least. Something about a canyon at one end, & a mountain face at the other...

Best of luck on your trip.

David

I agree strongly with Chris. We americans have a poor understanding of what it is like to live in places where there is military activity. Be very wary of projecting a "pro" anything persona. People will not be open about their political position except in very unusual circumstances. If they say the wrong thing they can get killed. Not immediatly, but later. It is a daunting threat. Keep your head down.

If you are in an area where you are truly dependent on carrying your water supply for the day, consider carrying a second container of water with at least a quart or so. Hydration systems are nice but they fail. And because it is on your back, you might not notice as the water will evaporate quickly as it wicks thru your gear. Then you have a bad suprise.

I no longer use hydration systems except in the safest of locations. I carry 3 water containers. One 2 liter and two 1 liter flasks. All are military surplus and can be handled roughly without failure. You can not carry military items so I suggest the Cycolac or other very tough plastic containers usually wide mouthed in variour colors. After you purchase one, fill it with water and throw it hard on the ground. Better to see it fail now then later when you fall on it. All of this sounds like overkill. However, after having a very bad day in the desert, I have become obsessive about water.

When hiking, I have in my rucksack a Platypus pouch, with drinking tube lashed on a shoulder strap. It's so easy to use when walking. Drinking without stopping.
But I also/always have a one liter aluminium container + eventually a standard 1.5l plastic bottle.
The aluminium container is my safety, in case I fall and the plastic bottle and/or Platypus pouch break.

Now, IMHO, the hydration system is really nice when walking. I am not sure it has any advantage, when not on the move....

OTOH and for other purpose, in your situation, I would certainly take my Hennessy Hammock along, in Honduras...