Taking part in adventure activities
Taking part in adventure activities
From white water rafting down the Zambezi to cycling in Brazil, to jungle treks in Cambodia, adventure travel is booming. But exertion in remote and challenging environments increases the risks of travel as well as the associated thrills.
Risks
- Lack of access to medical and dental facilities.
- Increased risk of physical danger, trauma and injury.
- Increased risk of contact with disease.
- Improvised food preparation.
- Basic accommodation.
- Risk of fatigue – leading to poor judgment or psychological problems.
Consider the specific risks of the destination:
- altitude
- climatic conditions
- sun risks – especially with altitude and snow reflection
- contact with water and water-borne diseases
- insect bites
- venomous creatures.
Travellers should check whether there is any medical care available where they are travelling – whether it be through a doctor, nurse or someone trained in first aid.
Prevention
- The trip should be planned carefully, and the traveller should make sure they are capable of the physical and social demands, and attain the level of fitness required.
- If possible, they should travel with a familiar companion.
- Good insurance is essential – sufficient to airlift someone out if they are in trouble.
- Travellers should have a dental check-up before they leave.
- If they wear contact lenses, they should consider getting glasses for the trip for added convenience and comfort.
- They should consider counselling or a discussion with friends if they have unresolved issues they feel could blow up when they are away in a group.
Hygiene measures
- Cooks should be trained to maintain proper standards and any water used should either be boiled (during cooking) or purified.
- Only purified water should be used for drinking and brushing teeth.
- Toilet facilities should include soap and water and be sited away from any sources of food or water.
- Before eating, soap and water or an alcohol hand rub should be used as a disinfectant.
- Human waste should be dealt with in a hygienic and environmentally responsible way.
Travel health advice should be obtained well in advance of the expedition.
Vaccines
- Hepatitis B, to protect against infection from contaminated hospital equipment – all the more likely with adventure travel.
- Rabies, particularly in remote areas.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines offer some protection against food-related infection.
- Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines should be up to date.
Malaria
Mosquitoes do not live above 2,000m so mountaineers will not be at risk at altitude. In other circumstances malaria prophylaxis is important, particularly in rain forest. If the expedition goes to particularly remote areas, the traveller might take standby treatment along with adequate instructions about when it should be used.