First Aid & Risk Assessment (for proposal)

From Will:

Dave could you get hold of Andy Sommer and ask him who he used for transport? i think he sorted it out for the russian boaters and if i just have a name and recomendation the expo board will be happy. They seemed massively worried about road accidents.
With regards to risk assesment; they want a more specific Sri lankan one, i have snakes down as a risk (make loud noises while portage/inspecting) any others?

What is everyones First Aid qualifications?
Tied in with this is Risk Assessment. Can anyone think of anthing specific to Sri Lanka that needs to be included?

Will - are they going to check the email of reccommendation?
I actually think they arrived and just sorted it out whilst they were out there. Atleast, Andy arrived a week before and scouted out some people. By the time we make more contacts out there, I reckon we'll have some reccommendations of English Speakers we can use as translators. Ideally we won't have to go through the expensive tour company who actually have a website.
Would this information below do for the board?

Sri Lanka Trekking
ortbergstr. 24
Bottrop
46236
Sri Lanka
Tel:             0201 6472 561      
Fax: 032121277178
URL: http://www.srilanka-trekking.com
E-mail: info@srilanka-trekking.com
Picnic?We are a direct agency for the organization and the execution of single or group journeys to Sri Lanka, which comprises the elements trekking and sightseeing. Extraordinary services such as individual journeys or intensive introductions to the culture and the Sri Lankan way of life, about local specialities e.g. ayurveda, buddhism or meditation are further options. Apart from that you can combine different trips to a personal tour.Our company has no commercial backgrounds but is comprises a collective of local guides and the co-workers in Germany. Sri Lanka Trekking works as indirect social work for Sri Lanka.Due to the financing of social projects and direct co-operation with the Sri Lankan locals we practice real fair tourism.

Dave Burne:
Completed 3 day Expedition 1st aid course.
Member of St. Johns Ambulance*
Worked on an A&E Ward in a Ugandan hospital for 6 weeks
2nd Year Medical Student

*I've done the training etc, just never done any shifts! And most likely won't have thetime now. ..they don't need to know that)

For the past few expeditions I've sorted the 1st aid kit.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Sterile stitching sutures etc
Asprin (can work as local anasthetic for tooth ache)
Ibuprofin (muscular injuries)
Paracetamol (anti pyretic (fever))
Diazepam (Valium - strictly for muscular and bone injuries. Particularly dislocations to relax the muscles and make it easier to put the shoulder back in on the river side should that be necessary)
Bandages, Plasters,
Antibiotics for UTIs (more common when you are dehydrated)
Strong antibiotics for stomach upsets* (to be used as a last resort if Clear fluids has not worked for 24-48hrs)

*Can't remember the frikking name of them! Begins with a 'C'. Nick??

...Probably won't need the Altitude Sickness Tabs!
Travellers Diarrhoea seems good though

Travellers Diarrhoea: apparently there is a prophylactic for this which comes in the form of a sachet of powder you have to take before heading out. Its called Dukoral, and lasts 2 years. It used to be used for the prevention of Cholera in the UK, but now is marketed at people going abroad. It costs about £25 and you can get it through your local GP.

Altitude Sickness: how high have people been before? And how were they affected by altitude? Is it worth getting some altitude tablets from here: http://www.doctorfox.co.uk/?
They're about £15 and would be worth it as a treatment if anyone is severely affected. Obviously the best treatment is to lose altitude, and if you're boating thats what you'll be doing anyway. A bottle between us?

I have done a REC level 2 16 Hr Emergency First Aid Course with extreme care 2 and a bit years ago so will officially run out November. Since then I have done two short courses. One Emergency Life Support with St.John's Ambulance in 2009 and another 4hr basic first aid a couple of weeks ago. This is probably easier:

• 7/2/2011- Basic First Aid (4hr)
• 09/2009-09/2012 Emergency Life Support - all ages (4 hr?)
- St Johns Ambulance
• 11/2008-11/2011 REC level 2 16 Hr Emergency First Aid Course
- Extreme Care

My first aid:
Two day/ 8 hour first aid course
Member of St john's ambulance but again did the training and never did any shifts
Also PADI rescue diver, not generally relevent buta bit of extra resucitation stuff

Risk Assessment:
There is a British Consular Section in: Colombo, Kandy, Badulla and Galle
According to this document:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/monitor/srilanka/index.html

General Travel Advice regarding the Civil War (from the FCO)

- Although the LTTE or “Tamil Tigers” suffered a military defeat in May 2009, the Government maintains its State of Emergency,
- The last reported LTTE attack was in July 2009 but isolated attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate
- Foreign tourists and visitors have not been targeted in the past but attacks have occurred in places frequented by foreigners.

More Advice regarding travel: (important if we are going up north)

Safety and Security - Local Travel
Safety and Security - Local Travel - North:
If you propose to visit the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, you must obtain permission from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence beforehand. Do not attempt to travel without this permission. Please contact the Military Liaison Officer on +94 11 2430 for more information.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Jaffna Peninsula:
There is free movement everywhere outside High Security Zones with a reduction in checkpoints around the Peninsula. Operations to clear mines continue, particularly in the heavily mined area towards Elephant Pass.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and Vavuniya:
Although the conflict is over, there is a continued heavy military presence. Freedom of movement is generally possible, although some checkpoints remain (notably Omanthai). There was severe war damage to property throughout the northern region so accommodation options and infrastructure are extremely limited. Some areas were heavily mined, so operations continue to clear minefields. There are signs providing warnings of mined areas but you should exercise caution.