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RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE
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F I E L D M E D I C I N E
58
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SUMMER 2012
cases the simplest diagnostic tests may not be available, and
you may be faced with making significant decisions with less
information than you would like to have.
When you are able to reach DAN, a doctor or local
emergency services for consultation and evacuation, be ready
to answer the questions they will ask. From the moment an
accident occurs or symptoms of an illness first appear, designate
a member of your group to keep notes on the evolving situation.
PreParation
Pack a headlamp and spare batteries in your first aid kit so
you are prepared to help a traveling companion at night. Extra
water, sunscreen and insect repellent will be appreciated by
all if a group is forced to stop moving in an exposed area
because of an injury or acute illness. Although space and
weight are often at a premium when traveling off the beaten
track, a spare insulating layer is very valuable if someone gets
hurt. When in doubt about items like rain jackets or wide-
brimmed hats, bring them. Good exposure protection will
help maximize the number of able-bodied caregivers while
minimizing the number of individuals who need help. Pack
a notebook and pen so you can keep a record. A log of the
patient’s condition over time may be very valuable to medical
professionals who take over patient care later.
Before you travel to a remote area, determine whether
any immunizations are recommended for the area, and
schedule those accordingly. Research the locations of the
nearest clinics and hospitals, and find out the emergency
number for the U.S. Embassy in the area where you’re
traveling. The websites of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the
U.S. State Department are good sources of this information.
DAN Members can visit www.DAN.org to use WorldCue®
Planner, a free benefit of membership, to find this and other
information relating to traveler health, safety and security.
Sometimes travelers’ primary-care physicians or dedicated
travel clinics can provide precautionary antibiotics to treat
simple infections should they occur. DAN does not support
or discourage this; it is a decision to be made by the traveler
and his or her physician. If you take any medication regularly,
ask your physician about prescribing a backup supply you can
keep in a separate place in case something happens to your
medicine and it is not available at your destination.
Travelers with chronic health problems or uncommon
medical conditions should consider carrying literature about
their condition that they can share with a health-care provider.
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represent the core group of donors who
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Thank you.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization ID #56-1696689.
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