“FAST FACTS” FOR MEDICINE & RESCUE COURSES BASED IN BELIZE -
SOME OR ALL OF THIS MAY NOT APPLY TO OTHER COURSES
You Are Assumed To Have Read This & Are Responsible For ALL Information Given Here. If You Fail To Understand
Something, ASK US. If You Forget Something, Well, You Were Warned!
1. Belize Courses Are Now Taught As "All Inclusive" Packages To Save You Money & Hassle!
Note: This DOES NOT include airfare, alcohol, or sodas - All else is included!
The all inclusive package for your Belize course includes:
- All classwork, practicals, and field exercises tuition for your program
- 3 meals a day, snacks, water, juice, coffee, etc.
- bunk room housing, sheets, towels, maid services, shower rooms, etc.
- all transport to/from the airport and to the training sites
- all team equipment and special equipment such as helmets and jungle hammocks with built in mosquito netting, etc.
- all training supplies, handouts, etc.
- assistant instructors and local guides
- CME/CEU's for those needing medical ed hours
- certificates, tax deduction receipts, etc.
Room & Board – Includes a bunk with mattress & pillow, all linens/towels (changed every third day),
housekeeping/cleaning, three good meals a day with water/coffee/tea/juice, local transports to field sites from the
training center, local guide/assistant instructor time, special equipment such as helmets/jungle hammocks/etc., 24
hour overnight jungle survival courses (tourists pay $200 each for this alone), and little miscellaneous stuff (graduation
party, etc.). This is included as part of your course package.
Airport Transfer – Charter bus to/from BZE and training center, about 90 minutes. This is included in your course
package. Transfers will be made at standard times, if you don't meet these we will help you make other
arrangements at your own expense.
Optional – Pop is $1, Beer is $2, snacks about that. Before/after course trips are billed through Caves Branch, as
an example a guided day trip to the Mayan ruins is about $50 including transport. Trips to the beach, islands, etc.,
can be spendy, especially in the winter tourist season. I would plan on a few hundred dollars for trips and souvenirs,
but you can get by with a lot less if you don’t want to party at the deluxe resorts.
2. Airfare – Depends on where you come from. Round trip out of Omaha is usually around $600. Belize International
code is “BZE” for rates. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS!
3. Days Off - A few programs have one or two days off in the middle, due to the length and intensity of the classes,
but this is not the norm. Usually you will need to plan on tourist trips before or after the course. This is time for you to
take adventure trips, visit Mayan ruins, go to the beach, or travel around the country.
4. Pictures - Go here to see pictures of the training center and the Caves Branch area: http://www.cavesbranch.com
Note that Caves Branch provides the logistic support, food, trips, etc. for our program, as well as the trips you can
take on your days off – check out their site!
5. Vaccinations & Malaria Prevention - We REQUIRE you to have a current Tetanus shot (within 5 years) unless
there is a specific medical indication why you cannot have this vaccine. We STRONGLY recommend you be current:
MMR
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Chloroquine 500 mg weekly for malaria, start 2 weeks before trip & continue 4 weeks after trip – don’t drink alcohol
the day you take this!
6. Discipline & Problem Solving - These activities are very intense. Be it medical procedures, patient movement,
river rescue, rappelling, whatever, there is a low but ever present possibility of injury or mishap if instructions are not
followed, distractions are allowed, or bad attitudes fester and spread. Your instructors are available at all times to
discuss any questions or difficulties you may be experiencing. If the question is in the middle of a challenging
situation we will try to briefly answer, then expand on the answer as time allows. This is for the safety of all. We will
NEVER tell you “Because” and leave it at that. We will also be available every evening for questions, debriefing, and
interaction. This may be more or less formal, depending on what went on during the day. We are also available to you
for private discussions, These usually need to planned a few hours ahead.
In return, we expect you to act professionally at all times. These classes are some of the most fun, exciting, and
challenging times you will ever experience. But you must stay focused when circumstances require it. You must follow
instructions, period. You should understand that feedback we offer you, either on the spot or later, is designed to help
you improve, not in any way to humiliate or criticize you. If we offer you a “suggestion” in the middle of a challenging
exercise, we suggest you take it heart! If we pull you aside, it may be that we have some feedback for you that
requires privacy, or it may be that we are making things even more “interesting” and giving you some new
instructions!
In any case, we are no BS teachers. We get right to the point. Don’t take it personal but do take it to heart. We are
helping, nothing more.
We expect you to follow instructions. We expect you to respond to performance improvement feedback & not repeat
mistakes. We insist that you come to us ASAP with any and all problems, concerns, difficulties – be they yours or
someone else’s – so that we can solve the problem.
There will be NO gossiping, back stabbing, clique forming, or rumor mongering tolerated, period. Got it? You are one
big team, at times literally dependent on each other for you life and safety. Got that? Be a team, or be gone.
Finally, we reserve the right to discipline or dismiss anyone from the program at any time for any reason. We have
done so in the past for gross safety violations despite repeated warnings and personality conflicts so severe as to
immediately endanger Team safety.
7. Equipment - Below is a full gear list of required and recommended supplies. Rescue students will be responsible
for specific hardware as well as personal items. Note that you should NOT buy a lot of new expensive gear – you will
be covered in mud & crud a good part of the time. There are a very few pieces of inexpensive required gear,
otherwise just a bunch of suggestions. Don’t but anything ‘till you check out the gear list! Scroll down for Medical
Classes gear
RESCUE CLASSES – REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (see below for MEDICAL classes):
_______2 pair BDU type pants. Please no forest, jungle style camo. Black, gray, desert, olive drab or blue
_______Hiking boots
_______2 pair Leather work gloves.
_______1 climbing type helmet (Petzl Ecrin type)
_______1 Headlamp (Petzl Duo or Zoom)
_______1 Back up Headlamp (another Petzl or LED light)
_______6 sets of batteries for each headlamp
_______2 extra bulbs for each headlamp and flashlight
_______2 waterproof small hand held flashlights w/ batteries
_______6 12 hour Cyalume sticks
_______Rescue or big wall climbing seat harness. Recommend ‘Avatar’ (about $155.00) for rescue type and Misty
Mountain Big Wall Cadillac (about $100.00) for climbing style
_______4 aluminum locking ‘D’ carabineers
_______1 aluminum locking oversize ‘D’ carabiner
_______1-20’ length of 1” tubular webbing
_______1-14’ length of 1” tubular webbing
_______1 Class III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (Life Jacket) available at Wal-Mart, REI and Costco for between
$30.00 and $45.00
_______1- 1 ½” 3 ring binder
_______10-Energy Bars of your choice
_______12 packages of ERG (electrolyte replacement glucose or other powdered electrolyte sports drink)
_______1 Sturdy Day Pack, about 2,500 cubic inches. This pack will be used during rescue scenarios so get a
good one!
_______copy of your insurance policy and other medical insurance cards.
_______copy of your passport
Recommended Items:
_____Hip pack
_____2-3 bandannas
_____Passport wallet that secures to belt
_____1-pr long synthetic pants (w/ zip off legs)
_____2- pr hiking shorts
_____2- pr nylon running shorts (to wear under BDU’s)
_____1- pr Lycra tights
_____1- long sleeve synthetic shirt
_____ synthetic underwear
_____ Sports bras (CoolMax type)
_____ Several t-shirts
_____1- swim suit or trunks
_____1 pr sandals
_____1 pr lightweight hiking shoes
_____2 pr polypropylene sock liners
_____ Mosquito repellent (2 types, Citronella and DEET) lots (Skin Sensations)
_____Peppermint Camp Soap (REI, Trader Joes)
_____Leatherman type tool or Swiss Army knife
_____Extra RX meds and note from doc
_____Extra glasses
_____Disposable contacts
_____Vitamins
_____Lip Balm
_____Cottonelles
_____Sunscreen
_____Journal and Pen
_____Camera w/ extra batt (waterproof camera recommended)
_____Lots of film
_____Favorite snacks
_____Toiletry items
_____Shampoo
_____Wash cloth (rough cloth)
_____Extra Passport photos
_____EmergenCee (vitamin C powdered drink)
First Aid Kit including:
Imodium Elastikon tape 2”
‘Stingease’ Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin
Topical antibiotic RX antibiotic
Tweezers Benadryl cream
Band-aids 2” Athletic tape
Safety Pins
Mark your items (carabineers, headlamps etc. with strips of a metallic, reflective tape. Use a specific pattern of your
choice Write your names on your gloves, webbing and other items with a felt pen. Mark ALL of your personal items
including clothing, repellent, flashlights etc.
MEDICAL CLASSES - EQUIPMENT, REQUIRED & RECOMMENDED (see above for RESCUE classes): The
good news is that there is little required equipment, but we have some very strong recommendations. There is no
need to take expensive high dollar stuff on this trip. You will end up wet, muddy, and sweaty at various times, so leave
the Versace boots at home and bring stuff appropriate for mud, crud, and maybe blood. Suggested sources are
listed below. Remember, you are carrying this, so pack light. A wheeled duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Required, And When We Say Required We Mean REQUIRED!:
- THREE (3) light sources, one MUST be a headlamp with an INCANDESCENT BULB or an incandescent + LED
bulb system. The primary LED lights just are not bright enough to use as a primary rescue light. Examples include,
but are not limited to:
Night-blaster or Ever-Ready incandescent bulb 4 AA battery unit, $7.95 at Wal-Mart (cheap, surpassingly bright, but
a battery hog), or
Black Diamond Lunar $19, or
Black Diamond Gemini $39, or
Petzl Duo $65, or
Petzl Myo 5 $70 or Myo 3 $45
Or similar
ASK if you have questions before spending big $’s! I am currently using a Myobelt 5 with 4 C cells in a belt pouch,
very bright and very long lasting vs. AA cells but this is more $ than you need
The second light can be any headlamp, either a duplicate of the above or one of the long life LED headlights are
recommended; the third light should be a small flashlight, such as a Mini-Mag or similar size LED flashlight. I have
good results with Princton Tec products (both headlamps and flashlights), and also the Ever-Ready LED headlamp
($14 at Wally World). Seal all units with silicon grease around the battery compartments and headlamp units, as
much as possible, These WILL be in water!
- BATTERIES & BULBS for above, how many depends on usage, but plan on at least 30 hours of burn time for the
headlamps, lots of use on the flashlight
- Rucksack or daypack, avoid cheep cheesy book bags that fall apart
- Work gloves, 2 pair, suggest synthetic leather type
- Hiking boots, light weight, good ankle support, do not need heavy expedition boots, could use combat boots but are
heavy, could use high top sneakers but trails are muddy, so get ones with good traction. These boots will be wet
most of the time, so don’t plan on using them in class.
- 1 pair rugged field pants (not shorts), military BDU type is best
- 4 Cyalume 12 hour chemical light sticks, assorted colors
- 1 Type III Personal Flotation Device life jacket (PFD), the water ski type not the orange over the head ”drown me”
type – available from sources noted below or Wal-Mart type stores for $30 or so, used & raggedy is fine
- Gookinaid ERG or similar electrolyte replacement mix, a minimum of 10 quarts worth
- Textbook – For medical classes: “The Field Guide To Wilderness Medicine, 2nd Edition” by Paul Auerbach. $39
from bookstores or Amazon.com. None required for rescue classes.
Bare Minimum SUGGESTED (= Not Required, So No Bitching) List:
- Hat, floppy brim (best), or ball cap
- Sneakers or closed toe shoes for camp use, Tivas/flip-flops/sandals not recommended due to creepy crawlies at
night but good for the shower
- Ultra-fast drying long sleeve & short sleeve shirt, 1 each, synthetic or blend type, pure cotton never dries out here but
cotton OK if you don’t mind it being wet all the time, 2 better so you can wash one and wear one
- Ultra-fast drying long pants, synthetic, summer weight 65/35 military BDU pants or summer weight fliers pants, this
is what we use as very tough and cheap used at military surplus store. Jeans are terrible! 2 minimum
- Ultra-fast drying synthetic underwear. Best investment I ever made. Cotton = chafing & misery, 2 for sure, sports
bras for the ladies or you special guys
- Heavy hiking socks, several pair
- Cotton shorts & t-shirts for class, meals, sleeping in, etc.
- Swimsuits
- Handkerchiefs or bandannas, lots
- Travel clothes for last day, ***** put them + socks & underwear in zip-lock bags and NEVER open until ready to put
on & leave, you’ll thank me later
- Sawyer Controlled Release DEET Bug repellent, best ever made, trust me this is good and much much less nasty
than other products, otherwise any 20-40% DEET product works well enough. If you are a real bug magnet then
consider 100% DEET product to use sparingly on exposed skin and use ultra-light long pants & shirts
- Permethrin spray or soak, treat field clothes with this before coming down, completely safe, does not stain, keeps
off ticks & biting flies better than repellent - DO THIS!
- Sunscreen
- Pocketknife or pocket tool, larger camp knives or machetes are OK too
- Sunglasses & retention strap
- Notebook/pens/pencils
- Toiletries & personal items, suggest Band-Aid boo-boo kit, moleskin or Second Skin, hydrocortisone cream,
generic Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Gas-x (don’t ask just bring it), stool softener (ditto), Imodium AD (ditto), we have an
extensive medical kit (duh) so skip that
- Mesh laundry bag
- Duct tape, a big roll
- Snack foods, power bars (at least a dozen), junk food, etc.
Nice To Have
- Camera & film. Canon Sure-Shot A-1 is waterproof, drop-proof, takes fantastic pictures in jungle, caves, etc.,
otherwise water proof bags or zip-locks, bring fast film ASA 400 or better
- ***** Battery operated fan, small about 3-5” is good, you’ll thank me later
- Small travel towel (bunkhouses have towels, sheets, etc.)
- Mosquito netting – I do not use this and do not feel it is needed, it is hot as it slows airflow, BUT many students feel
more comfortable with it so feel free to bring and use as you wish, get the single bunk size not a huge tent, and treat
with Permethrin.
- Lightweight unlined rain jacket, maybe light rain/wind pants if you want, we take ‘em, the nights are cool out in the
jungle if you are damp and not moving around
- Mylar “space blanket” or rescue blanket, if you get cold during the night or in the caves
Note that a large trash bag, space blanket, power bar, and extra batteries/bulb can be taped inside the rescue
helmet we issue you – hint, hint!
Write your name on everything in permanent marker!
SOME OR ALL OF THIS MAY NOT APPLY TO OTHER COURSES
You Are Assumed To Have Read This & Are Responsible For ALL Information Given Here. If You Fail To Understand
Something, ASK US. If You Forget Something, Well, You Were Warned!
1. Belize Courses Are Now Taught As "All Inclusive" Packages To Save You Money & Hassle!
Note: This DOES NOT include airfare, alcohol, or sodas - All else is included!
The all inclusive package for your Belize course includes:
- All classwork, practicals, and field exercises tuition for your program
- 3 meals a day, snacks, water, juice, coffee, etc.
- bunk room housing, sheets, towels, maid services, shower rooms, etc.
- all transport to/from the airport and to the training sites
- all team equipment and special equipment such as helmets and jungle hammocks with built in mosquito netting, etc.
- all training supplies, handouts, etc.
- assistant instructors and local guides
- CME/CEU's for those needing medical ed hours
- certificates, tax deduction receipts, etc.
Room & Board – Includes a bunk with mattress & pillow, all linens/towels (changed every third day),
housekeeping/cleaning, three good meals a day with water/coffee/tea/juice, local transports to field sites from the
training center, local guide/assistant instructor time, special equipment such as helmets/jungle hammocks/etc., 24
hour overnight jungle survival courses (tourists pay $200 each for this alone), and little miscellaneous stuff (graduation
party, etc.). This is included as part of your course package.
Airport Transfer – Charter bus to/from BZE and training center, about 90 minutes. This is included in your course
package. Transfers will be made at standard times, if you don't meet these we will help you make other
arrangements at your own expense.
Optional – Pop is $1, Beer is $2, snacks about that. Before/after course trips are billed through Caves Branch, as
an example a guided day trip to the Mayan ruins is about $50 including transport. Trips to the beach, islands, etc.,
can be spendy, especially in the winter tourist season. I would plan on a few hundred dollars for trips and souvenirs,
but you can get by with a lot less if you don’t want to party at the deluxe resorts.
2. Airfare – Depends on where you come from. Round trip out of Omaha is usually around $600. Belize International
code is “BZE” for rates. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS!
3. Days Off - A few programs have one or two days off in the middle, due to the length and intensity of the classes,
but this is not the norm. Usually you will need to plan on tourist trips before or after the course. This is time for you to
take adventure trips, visit Mayan ruins, go to the beach, or travel around the country.
4. Pictures - Go here to see pictures of the training center and the Caves Branch area: http://www.cavesbranch.com
Note that Caves Branch provides the logistic support, food, trips, etc. for our program, as well as the trips you can
take on your days off – check out their site!
5. Vaccinations & Malaria Prevention - We REQUIRE you to have a current Tetanus shot (within 5 years) unless
there is a specific medical indication why you cannot have this vaccine. We STRONGLY recommend you be current:
MMR
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Chloroquine 500 mg weekly for malaria, start 2 weeks before trip & continue 4 weeks after trip – don’t drink alcohol
the day you take this!
6. Discipline & Problem Solving - These activities are very intense. Be it medical procedures, patient movement,
river rescue, rappelling, whatever, there is a low but ever present possibility of injury or mishap if instructions are not
followed, distractions are allowed, or bad attitudes fester and spread. Your instructors are available at all times to
discuss any questions or difficulties you may be experiencing. If the question is in the middle of a challenging
situation we will try to briefly answer, then expand on the answer as time allows. This is for the safety of all. We will
NEVER tell you “Because” and leave it at that. We will also be available every evening for questions, debriefing, and
interaction. This may be more or less formal, depending on what went on during the day. We are also available to you
for private discussions, These usually need to planned a few hours ahead.
In return, we expect you to act professionally at all times. These classes are some of the most fun, exciting, and
challenging times you will ever experience. But you must stay focused when circumstances require it. You must follow
instructions, period. You should understand that feedback we offer you, either on the spot or later, is designed to help
you improve, not in any way to humiliate or criticize you. If we offer you a “suggestion” in the middle of a challenging
exercise, we suggest you take it heart! If we pull you aside, it may be that we have some feedback for you that
requires privacy, or it may be that we are making things even more “interesting” and giving you some new
instructions!
In any case, we are no BS teachers. We get right to the point. Don’t take it personal but do take it to heart. We are
helping, nothing more.
We expect you to follow instructions. We expect you to respond to performance improvement feedback & not repeat
mistakes. We insist that you come to us ASAP with any and all problems, concerns, difficulties – be they yours or
someone else’s – so that we can solve the problem.
There will be NO gossiping, back stabbing, clique forming, or rumor mongering tolerated, period. Got it? You are one
big team, at times literally dependent on each other for you life and safety. Got that? Be a team, or be gone.
Finally, we reserve the right to discipline or dismiss anyone from the program at any time for any reason. We have
done so in the past for gross safety violations despite repeated warnings and personality conflicts so severe as to
immediately endanger Team safety.
7. Equipment - Below is a full gear list of required and recommended supplies. Rescue students will be responsible
for specific hardware as well as personal items. Note that you should NOT buy a lot of new expensive gear – you will
be covered in mud & crud a good part of the time. There are a very few pieces of inexpensive required gear,
otherwise just a bunch of suggestions. Don’t but anything ‘till you check out the gear list! Scroll down for Medical
Classes gear
RESCUE CLASSES – REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (see below for MEDICAL classes):
_______2 pair BDU type pants. Please no forest, jungle style camo. Black, gray, desert, olive drab or blue
_______Hiking boots
_______2 pair Leather work gloves.
_______1 climbing type helmet (Petzl Ecrin type)
_______1 Headlamp (Petzl Duo or Zoom)
_______1 Back up Headlamp (another Petzl or LED light)
_______6 sets of batteries for each headlamp
_______2 extra bulbs for each headlamp and flashlight
_______2 waterproof small hand held flashlights w/ batteries
_______6 12 hour Cyalume sticks
_______Rescue or big wall climbing seat harness. Recommend ‘Avatar’ (about $155.00) for rescue type and Misty
Mountain Big Wall Cadillac (about $100.00) for climbing style
_______4 aluminum locking ‘D’ carabineers
_______1 aluminum locking oversize ‘D’ carabiner
_______1-20’ length of 1” tubular webbing
_______1-14’ length of 1” tubular webbing
_______1 Class III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (Life Jacket) available at Wal-Mart, REI and Costco for between
$30.00 and $45.00
_______1- 1 ½” 3 ring binder
_______10-Energy Bars of your choice
_______12 packages of ERG (electrolyte replacement glucose or other powdered electrolyte sports drink)
_______1 Sturdy Day Pack, about 2,500 cubic inches. This pack will be used during rescue scenarios so get a
good one!
_______copy of your insurance policy and other medical insurance cards.
_______copy of your passport
Recommended Items:
_____Hip pack
_____2-3 bandannas
_____Passport wallet that secures to belt
_____1-pr long synthetic pants (w/ zip off legs)
_____2- pr hiking shorts
_____2- pr nylon running shorts (to wear under BDU’s)
_____1- pr Lycra tights
_____1- long sleeve synthetic shirt
_____ synthetic underwear
_____ Sports bras (CoolMax type)
_____ Several t-shirts
_____1- swim suit or trunks
_____1 pr sandals
_____1 pr lightweight hiking shoes
_____2 pr polypropylene sock liners
_____ Mosquito repellent (2 types, Citronella and DEET) lots (Skin Sensations)
_____Peppermint Camp Soap (REI, Trader Joes)
_____Leatherman type tool or Swiss Army knife
_____Extra RX meds and note from doc
_____Extra glasses
_____Disposable contacts
_____Vitamins
_____Lip Balm
_____Cottonelles
_____Sunscreen
_____Journal and Pen
_____Camera w/ extra batt (waterproof camera recommended)
_____Lots of film
_____Favorite snacks
_____Toiletry items
_____Shampoo
_____Wash cloth (rough cloth)
_____Extra Passport photos
_____EmergenCee (vitamin C powdered drink)
First Aid Kit including:
Imodium Elastikon tape 2”
‘Stingease’ Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin
Topical antibiotic RX antibiotic
Tweezers Benadryl cream
Band-aids 2” Athletic tape
Safety Pins
Mark your items (carabineers, headlamps etc. with strips of a metallic, reflective tape. Use a specific pattern of your
choice Write your names on your gloves, webbing and other items with a felt pen. Mark ALL of your personal items
including clothing, repellent, flashlights etc.
MEDICAL CLASSES - EQUIPMENT, REQUIRED & RECOMMENDED (see above for RESCUE classes): The
good news is that there is little required equipment, but we have some very strong recommendations. There is no
need to take expensive high dollar stuff on this trip. You will end up wet, muddy, and sweaty at various times, so leave
the Versace boots at home and bring stuff appropriate for mud, crud, and maybe blood. Suggested sources are
listed below. Remember, you are carrying this, so pack light. A wheeled duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Required, And When We Say Required We Mean REQUIRED!:
- THREE (3) light sources, one MUST be a headlamp with an INCANDESCENT BULB or an incandescent + LED
bulb system. The primary LED lights just are not bright enough to use as a primary rescue light. Examples include,
but are not limited to:
Night-blaster or Ever-Ready incandescent bulb 4 AA battery unit, $7.95 at Wal-Mart (cheap, surpassingly bright, but
a battery hog), or
Black Diamond Lunar $19, or
Black Diamond Gemini $39, or
Petzl Duo $65, or
Petzl Myo 5 $70 or Myo 3 $45
Or similar
ASK if you have questions before spending big $’s! I am currently using a Myobelt 5 with 4 C cells in a belt pouch,
very bright and very long lasting vs. AA cells but this is more $ than you need
The second light can be any headlamp, either a duplicate of the above or one of the long life LED headlights are
recommended; the third light should be a small flashlight, such as a Mini-Mag or similar size LED flashlight. I have
good results with Princton Tec products (both headlamps and flashlights), and also the Ever-Ready LED headlamp
($14 at Wally World). Seal all units with silicon grease around the battery compartments and headlamp units, as
much as possible, These WILL be in water!
- BATTERIES & BULBS for above, how many depends on usage, but plan on at least 30 hours of burn time for the
headlamps, lots of use on the flashlight
- Rucksack or daypack, avoid cheep cheesy book bags that fall apart
- Work gloves, 2 pair, suggest synthetic leather type
- Hiking boots, light weight, good ankle support, do not need heavy expedition boots, could use combat boots but are
heavy, could use high top sneakers but trails are muddy, so get ones with good traction. These boots will be wet
most of the time, so don’t plan on using them in class.
- 1 pair rugged field pants (not shorts), military BDU type is best
- 4 Cyalume 12 hour chemical light sticks, assorted colors
- 1 Type III Personal Flotation Device life jacket (PFD), the water ski type not the orange over the head ”drown me”
type – available from sources noted below or Wal-Mart type stores for $30 or so, used & raggedy is fine
- Gookinaid ERG or similar electrolyte replacement mix, a minimum of 10 quarts worth
- Textbook – For medical classes: “The Field Guide To Wilderness Medicine, 2nd Edition” by Paul Auerbach. $39
from bookstores or Amazon.com. None required for rescue classes.
Bare Minimum SUGGESTED (= Not Required, So No Bitching) List:
- Hat, floppy brim (best), or ball cap
- Sneakers or closed toe shoes for camp use, Tivas/flip-flops/sandals not recommended due to creepy crawlies at
night but good for the shower
- Ultra-fast drying long sleeve & short sleeve shirt, 1 each, synthetic or blend type, pure cotton never dries out here but
cotton OK if you don’t mind it being wet all the time, 2 better so you can wash one and wear one
- Ultra-fast drying long pants, synthetic, summer weight 65/35 military BDU pants or summer weight fliers pants, this
is what we use as very tough and cheap used at military surplus store. Jeans are terrible! 2 minimum
- Ultra-fast drying synthetic underwear. Best investment I ever made. Cotton = chafing & misery, 2 for sure, sports
bras for the ladies or you special guys
- Heavy hiking socks, several pair
- Cotton shorts & t-shirts for class, meals, sleeping in, etc.
- Swimsuits
- Handkerchiefs or bandannas, lots
- Travel clothes for last day, ***** put them + socks & underwear in zip-lock bags and NEVER open until ready to put
on & leave, you’ll thank me later
- Sawyer Controlled Release DEET Bug repellent, best ever made, trust me this is good and much much less nasty
than other products, otherwise any 20-40% DEET product works well enough. If you are a real bug magnet then
consider 100% DEET product to use sparingly on exposed skin and use ultra-light long pants & shirts
- Permethrin spray or soak, treat field clothes with this before coming down, completely safe, does not stain, keeps
off ticks & biting flies better than repellent - DO THIS!
- Sunscreen
- Pocketknife or pocket tool, larger camp knives or machetes are OK too
- Sunglasses & retention strap
- Notebook/pens/pencils
- Toiletries & personal items, suggest Band-Aid boo-boo kit, moleskin or Second Skin, hydrocortisone cream,
generic Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Gas-x (don’t ask just bring it), stool softener (ditto), Imodium AD (ditto), we have an
extensive medical kit (duh) so skip that
- Mesh laundry bag
- Duct tape, a big roll
- Snack foods, power bars (at least a dozen), junk food, etc.
Nice To Have
- Camera & film. Canon Sure-Shot A-1 is waterproof, drop-proof, takes fantastic pictures in jungle, caves, etc.,
otherwise water proof bags or zip-locks, bring fast film ASA 400 or better
- ***** Battery operated fan, small about 3-5” is good, you’ll thank me later
- Small travel towel (bunkhouses have towels, sheets, etc.)
- Mosquito netting – I do not use this and do not feel it is needed, it is hot as it slows airflow, BUT many students feel
more comfortable with it so feel free to bring and use as you wish, get the single bunk size not a huge tent, and treat
with Permethrin.
- Lightweight unlined rain jacket, maybe light rain/wind pants if you want, we take ‘em, the nights are cool out in the
jungle if you are damp and not moving around
- Mylar “space blanket” or rescue blanket, if you get cold during the night or in the caves
Note that a large trash bag, space blanket, power bar, and extra batteries/bulb can be taped inside the rescue
helmet we issue you – hint, hint!
Write your name on everything in permanent marker!
| GMRS Ltd. Sets The Standards By Which All Others Are Judged |
| Belize - Cayman Islands - Costa Rica - Germany - Greece - Pakistan - Netherlands - United Kingdom - New Zealand - USA |
| Global Medical Rescue Services, Ltd. |
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| Copyright, 2005, by Global Medical Rescue Services, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Global Medical Rescue Services, Ltd. 2505 Crown Road Norfolk, Nebraska, USA 68701 info@gmrsltd.com 402-640-1456 Last Modified March 12, 2006 |
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