Appendix U
Lifewater Packing List
"Get ready what you need, pack what you can and count on your luggage getting lost" (Trip Veteran)
Critical Items to Bring Overseas:
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Medical
- Tension Bandage (Ace Wrap)
- Tylenol-3 or Demerol
- Topical Lydicain (local freezing agent)
- Athlete's Foot Powder
- Strip Bandages (cloth)
- Triple Anti-biotic Ointment (for cuts)
- Hydrocortisone
- Salt Pills
- Electrolyte (1/person/day)
- Gatorade Powder (enough to mix 2 liters/person/day)
- Prescription Pills to treat Bacterial Diarrhea (or Imodium)
- Handi-wipes (3 wet wipes/person/day to clean hands without water prior to eating)
- Steri-Aid Kit (emergency medical IV, sutures etc)
- Sun Tan Lotion
- Mosquito Repellent ("deet" such as "Deep Woods Off"
- Vitamin C (or Multi-Vitamin)
- Soap & shampoo
- Toilet paper
- Aspirin
- Iodine pills (for cuts and emergency water treatment)
- Cold remedy/antihistamines (Neo Citrin)
- Peptobismal (1/meal, 2-4 after dubious dining experiences)
- Pocket pill container
- Optional: Sleeping pills (note: high re-sale value to team members who didn't bring any when it is 100 degrees at night, they have not slept in days and their ear lobes are sweating!)
Miscellaneous
- Water bottle & water treatment device
- Small clasp knife (to peel fruit)
- 4 extra passport photos (for in-country visa paperwork etc)
- $1 US bills (for tipping)
- Duct Tape (repair luggage, plug bathtub, seal window screen)
- Work Gloves
- Sun Glasses
- Nil Odor (for bathrooms and boots that do!)
- Day pack (avoid putting belongings down in high risk areas)
- Cheap waterproof watch (leave expensive looking ones home)
- Travel clock
- Camera and film (Fujichrome slide film is best)
- Window screen (folds flat in bottom of suitcase and, with a little duct tape, can make an open window bug-proof leading to hours of pleasurable relaxation)
- Playing cards
- Writing paper & pencils
- Bible
- Laundry soap
- Flashlight with extra batteries (alkaline last longer)
- Small collapsible umbrella
- Multi-purpose screw driver (bits in handle)
- 3.81 cm (1.5 in) screws (a bunch plus an assortment of others)
- Bolts/screws for making bush pump (min. 2 sets if new program)
- Credit card & Travelers cheques (note: do not depend on them ... they may not be accepted or may take weeks to be cashed!)
- Optional: Pepper spray (do not pack in carry-on luggage)
- Optional: Small, self-supporting tent (even set-up in room with many open windows) Smaller and more flexible than mosquito net
Gift Ideas
- Shirts (t-shirts and short-sleeve cotton button working shirts)
- Watches
- Work gloves
- Hard candy (good for motivating kids to haul water)
- Calculators
- Rubber boots/work boots
- Cover alls
- Drip irrigation systems
- Sun glasses
- Pocket bibles
- Medical supplies (re-hydration salts, antibiotics etc)
Clothing
- Hat
- Sandals
- Work boots
- House/plane slippers
- Underwear, socks
- Sweater (it can be surprisingly cold at altitude or at night during the rainy season)
- Bathing suit & towel
- Rain coat
- Women: Nice dress (with sleeves), cotton blouses & skirts
- Men: Cotton shirts, 1 pr shorts (big pockets), 1 pr work pants (long legs), tie, 1 pr dress pants, dress shirt
- Option: purchase native dress (women) or dress shirt (men) in-country. You probably want to buy one to bring back anyhow, they are cool and are cheap
- Eye blind (for sleeping on plane or in Arctic night-time sun)
- Ear plugs (when billeted near a disco)
Preventative (Before You Go)
- Immunization Shots (some start 3 months prior to departure!)
- First Aid Training
- Dentist check-up
- Blood Type team members (direct donate in medical emergency)
- Physical exam
- Leave important numbers at home (include traveler check numbers, photocopy of passport, embassy & team members home phone, fax & email numbers)
- Write key numbers on in-side of your belt (bandits rarely want your shorts!)
- If required, wire large amounts cash to contact person in-country (rather than carry it in)
Important Items to Take When Starting New Projects:
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