Supplies for a long trip.

[OneOfMany]

As part of my fourth year of uni, I am required to travel to a developing nation for 8 months and work towards some (as of yet) unspecified / unknown goal.
I have traveled internationaly before, but only for ten days or so at a time. This trip - will be gone for 8 months.

I am looking to compile a list of things that i can, over the next year and a half Buy, borrow or steal to bring with me. Cost is a reasonable issue.

Back packs / Bags + stuff i have already:

-60k travel backpack (used already - fits my body and and works great for hiking and camping / international travel)

- Military surplus back pack. also something i have used in my international travels for day trips. well secured

- Military surplus Messenger bag. Smallish thing, that i typically use to hold first Aid supplies and random pen / notebooks.

- I also always carry about 25-50 ft of paracord as a woven bracelet

-A leathermen

- Good Boots (though i would like suggestions for this as well)

I am looking for a suggested list of things to bring for extended international travel, how many pairs of what ever, suggested brand names, materials, and how the item could be used.

This trip, will probably have me leaving the majority of my stuff in a hotel / hostel / "foster family" / apartment depending on where i end up.

Oh, destinations : i will either be in Peru, South East Asia, or Africa - but most likely Peru or South East Asia

Thanks

[Your Local Crack Dealer]

wow that sucks. what a gay uni. just try not to go to africa or cuba or some gay shit like that.

[FireStarter]

Glad you have a solid multitool on your list.

As for suggestions on boots, look into caterpillar boots. They are a little pricey, but they are very comfortable and durable. I had a pair last me 5 years of daily wear.

Remember to bring condoms and fuck lots of the locals :P

[Marty McFly]

Wind up torch.
Waterproof bag cover
Microfiber towel
Zip up water jacket (the ones that turn into a bag)
Decent first aid kit
Power cord adapter
Proper sunglasses that protect against UV (most of the ones they sell in developing countries are fakes, just fucking regular glass or plastic)
Mosquito net....


...I could probably think of more if you'd like.

[OneOfMany]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I was also looking for comparisons between materials... Like.. Wool socks vs cotton..

Also, tools and such you found useful..

And things to have in a proper first aid kit. Mine generally consists of duck tape, sanitary pads ( great blood absorbers + duck tape = cheap compress bandage), needle + tread, rubbing alcohol, and super glue ( instant waterproof skin sealant).. Kinda ghetto i know.. but great for on the fly patch jobs..

But i would be looking to make a proper one since im not entirely trusting of developing countries medical care.. Saw some... Odd... things in El Salvador that kinda put me off them..anyways..

Thanks

[Marty McFly]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I was also looking for comparisons between materials... Like.. Wool socks vs cotton..

Also, tools and such you found useful..

And things to have in a proper first aid kit. Mine generally consists of duck tape, sanitary pads ( great blood absorbers + duck tape = cheap compress bandage), needle + tread, rubbing alcohol, and super glue ( instant waterproof skin sealant).. Kinda ghetto i know.. but great for on the fly patch jobs..

But i would be looking to make a proper one since im not entirely trusting of developing countries medical care.. Saw some... Odd... things in El Salvador that kinda put me off them..anyways..

Thanks

You're no doctor, needle and thread is basically useless unless you're in a FUCKED up situation.

I saw some moto accidents. One in particular that I helped in. All I would have done (I've had basic first aid training) would be to have used saline to wash the wound. Then tiny tweazers to get the rocks out, douse his leg with an alcohol/antiseptic mix/iodine/disinfectant (I think Detol makes a good one) all over the wound while he bites down on something because it will sting like a mother fucker. Then wrap that fucker tightly and send him to some one who is a trained professional. That's all it is, first aid. Stitches are beyond first aid.

If you're looking for some hardcore first aid kids. Get syringes, morphine vials (3rd world countries baby :)), needle and thread, plaster kit, etc.

Really, go buy a first aid kit. Then just add a few things to it. Doxycycline (Malaria + it's a wonder drug), Erythromycine (broad spectrum antibiotic, kills stomach bugs in no time), Imodium (for diarrhea), general pain killers (like paracetamol + codeine), if possible, strong pain killers (morphine) or an anesthetic like ketamine (dude just broke his leg in 5 places, 250mg IM'd will sort that out), an epi pen (epinephrine shot - in case of allergic reaction, you have NO idea what you're allergic to in remote places in the world), and lots of alcohol to sterilize everything. Get more than a few pairs of gloves. Also if you can, get a rub on general anesthetic, stitches fucking HURT!

I'm half talking out of my ass, half talking from logic. Depends what you're doing man. Most important thing is sterilize, cover, get to some one more trained than you. Sterilize often, even if it fucking hurts them. Taking off the bandage can give a tearing sensation, but it needs to be done, re sterilize, re wrap. A guy who came of a 125cc Minsk (russian motorbike) in Vietnam ran me through what they did for his accident.

[kite--]

wow that sucks. what a gay uni. just try not to go to africa or cuba or some gay shit like that.

Obvious you're American. That sounds like a fucking awesome thing to have to do for uni!

[OneOfMany]

Marty, thank you for the comprehensive list - i shall defiantly look into picking up some of / most of those meds. The anti-malaria, and and antibiotics especially, always travel with me when i Leave the country

Just FYI - the needle and thread were mostly used for patching clothing and fishing when i was in the back country of northern Canada.. I not inclined to stitching my self back together

Kate - yes this program, while there are a few like it in the world... None (that i have found) take the same sort of hands on approach as a requirement to complete a BES..

[water bottle]

Obvious you're American. That sounds like a fucking awesome thing to have to do for uni!

Agreed! This kind of stuff looks fantastic on a resume, as well.

Out of curiosity, would you mind telling me what uni you go to? This program is just for a specific degree, right? Don't worry, not planning on stalking you :p.

[OneOfMany]

I am in the International Development program in Waterloo.

That is in Canada, which... contrary to the beliefs of many, is not part of the USA.

Also, based on recent information.. I will either be someplace in Africa, or Vietnam..

Anyone been there, or have any ideas of things to bring?

[fuckbiscuit]

Waterproof matches, magnesium bars can be a motherfucker.