Kit List for the Tropics

Protection from sun, rain, insects, and bad water is essential

Necessary

• Acriflex antiseptic cream (or similar)
• Address labels with addresses. Saves taking an address book Anthisan antihistamine cream (or similar)
• Anti-malaria pills. Malaria Pills
• Melolin Lint. Consult a pharmacy (No prescription needed)
• Antiseptic Wipes. Cuts go septic very quickly in the tropics.
• Book. One good one. Swap around in the group while you are travelling Leave it behind when you return home.
• Bottle Opener
• Camera plus films plus spare battery Clothes Pegs
• Cotton underwear/socks. Synthetics can cause a rash.
• Dioralyte (in various flavours) for any stomach or bowel upset. DON'T take anti-diarrhoea medicines. Drink as much as possible. Coca-Cola is beneficial
• Insect Repellent like Jungle Formula - Be careful! A leaky spray can dissolved my toothbrush!
• Jersey. It can be quite cold in the early morning or evening.
• Sterile dressing, 'Micropore' (better than elastoplast)
• Money belt. Cotton. Plastic bag for currency notes. (A sweaty body can ruin your money!)
• Notebook and ball-point pen
• Paracetamol (or similar)
• Pocket knife and spoon
• Plastic mug and plate
• Puritabs / Sterotabs - These make the water taste horrible. Vitamin C flavoured tablets improve the flavour.
• Rain Proof top
• Lightweight Rucksack. Don't buy one so large that you can't carry it when full. Beware of putting valuables in the outside pockets. Scissors Sewing kit or safety pins
• Shoes. Well tried and comfortable (not new!)
• Sleeping bag. Synthetic. One that fully unzips is best because you may want to sleep on or under it when hot (rather than in it!) String or thin nylon cord
• Sun hat Sun tan/bum cream/lotion
• Swim suit
• Tea towel. Has many uses.
• Toilet roll -
• Torch. Tiny Duracell ones are good.
• US dollars for emergency money and airport tax.
• Vaccinations. Go to your doctor as soon as your visit is planned and get started. Cholera in one arm and typhoid in the other means you can't comb your hair for a couple of days!

Handy Hints

Empty film containers are useful for pills, creams, etc. Rigid plastic container for tubes of cream etc. . to avoid squashing Pack first aid items in labelled, closed plastic bags.

Desirable

Cotton sleeping sheet which can double as a mosquito net, if you extend the top with netting to put over your face.

Dramamine to reduce swelling from insect bites Map of the area

Optrex for dusty eyes

NO

Talcum Powder - turns to mud with sweat

If you are a real enthusiast or just a fascinated onlooker then Survival Aids offers " the Survival Catalogue for summer travellers your complete guide to the most comprehensive range of hot weather clothing and equipment available." Their address is:

Survival Aids Limited, Morland, Penrith, Cumbria CAIO 3AZ. Tel 01931 4444