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Kit List We have done some research and certain outlets will give you some excellent deals if you mention our name. In the UK our main contact is: Nomad Travel (0207 833 4114)for the desert projects, Nomad offer discounts on both equipment and vaccinations at their clinics, for a voucher please email alison.darlington@opwall.com. Watersports Warehouse provide good deals on any marine equipment needed. You will receive a discount voucher for Watersports Warehouse with your PADI form. If you have not received the voucher or want to purchase anything before this arrives please email alison.curtis@opwall.com with Dive Voucher in the subject box and we will send you a copy. Please mention that you are joining an Operation Wallacea expedition when you contact them and you should be able to get a further discount on the published prices. In North America Back Country Gear and US Outdoor Stores have a good selection of equipment for the forest for volunteers in the US, whilst Mountain Equipment Co-operative is the best for Canadian volunteers. Scuba Store has a good range of marine equipment with outlets in both the US and Canada whilst Scuba Market has well priced PADI materials. Try out your kit in realistic circumstances if at all possible before your expedition. This is especially the case with new boots which can often need time to fully mould to the shape of your feet. All baggage, clothes and kit should be clearly labelled to avoid confusion. There are many volunteers, and some may have the same or similar items to you. Valuables are very occasionally at risk. Please make sure you have personal insurance for expensive items. It is important to record all serial numbers and keep all receipts. Remember to carry all personal documents and cash safely in a concealed money belt. Desert Kit Day bag/Small rucksack Needed for your field work for carrying water, paper, pens, binoculars, cameras etc. Roll mat or Thermarest Necessary for both warmth and comfort in the desert. Roll mats can be purchased cheaply, whereas Thermarests are more of an investment (be sure to buy a repair kit.) Sleeping Bag It can get surprisingly cold at night in the desert, so we recommend a 3 season sleeping bag with a cotton sheet liner, plus thermal under-wear. Water bottle A combination of leak-proof plastic bottles (total capacity 2 litres) is imperative. Please ensure it is possible to keep your bottle clean. Wide open tops mean you can easily clean them each day. There are many styles to choose from – it is not necessary to get anything fancy, though if you do want to invest in one of the ‘hydration systems’ on the market (Platypus, camelback, Ortileb) they do have the advantage of packing flat when not in use. Please do think about how you might clean the drinking tube daily. Whistle Even if you never use it, it’s important to have a whistle with you at all times to attract attention in an emergency. Strong Head Torch Head torches are the most useful because they leave your hands free but a handheld torch will do if necessary. Don’t forget spare batteries! Watch with alarm It doesn’t have to be anything technical. A travel alarm clock will also do. Insect repellent There are a number of biting insects although neither malaria or dengue fever are present in Egypt. Application in the evenings of insect repellents is recommended and these can be based on natural compounds or synthetic compounds such as deet which are generally more effective but can melt plastic (eg watch covers, glasses etc). It is suggested that each person reads this link to insect repellents and then decides which of the various compounds they would prefer to utilise. Sunblock An essential part of any desert expedition kit – Factor 25, minimum, is recommended. Sunglasses Small towel/sarong Medium sized towel. If you bring too big a towel it is heavy to carry round. Excellent travelpac towels (eg Lifeventure) are available, but can be pricey and since everything dries quickly in the desert are not really necessary. . Notebooks/pencils These are a necessity for all fieldwork. Hiking/walking boots Make sure your boots have firm ankle support and a semi-flexible sole with good grips. Boots should be worn at all times during the surveys because of the the threat posed by sand vipers. Teva type/reef sandals, Crocs or flip-flops After a long day’s hiking you will want to let your feet breathe. The advantage of Tevas are that they stay on securely in water. If you are going to the marine side the best way to protect your feet in the water is to wear dive booties. Bedouin clothing or hat Dehydration and heat exhaustion are two potential threats. You can either bring a wide brimmed hat or you can buy a Bedouin headscarf at Fox Camp (approximately £2). You can also buy a long white galabia at Fox Camp (approximately £6). Trekking in the traditional Bedouin clothing is a lot more comfortable than using standard western clothes. Clothing—essentials: Layered clothing slows dehydration and minimizes exposure. Light coloured clothing made from natural fibres is probably the best choice.
Other items A pair of 8 X 42 binoculars will considerably increase your enjoyment of the expedition. A digital camera is also on most peoples kit list and wet wipes/baby wipes will make life much more comfortable in both the desert and marine sites.
Marine Kit All those learning to dive will need to bring a PADI Open Water Crew Pack and PIC card (registration) with them. For UK and European volunteers the best deal is direct from us. You can purchase this here. Note this includes the PIC cards which you need for certification and if you buy a PADI Open Water Crew Pack from most dive shops or internet sites they do NOT contain PIC Cards. For US based volunteers you need to email diveUS@opwall.com and the costs will be $77 delivered to you. For Canadian volunteers you should e-mail diveCanada@opwall.com. Remember if are dive training and arrive without an Open Water Manual and PIC card then you won't be able to complete the dive training course.
If you are already a qualified diver, we will require proof of your dive qualifications on site. You will also need to bring with you your completed log books, and PADI forms.
PADI Forms Please bring your completed, original PADI forms with you and send a copy to Alison Darlington in the UK Opwall office. Without these PADI forms you may not be permitted to dive.
Logbook You will also need a Log Book—a simple A5 sized hard-back notebook will suffice although you can also buy specially designed PADI logbooks on site.
Dive equipment All the equipment listed below is essential for diving projects. Some is available to hire on site, except for wet suits and dive watches. If you decide to hire, budget around $14 per day for a full set of equipment:
Wetsuit You will need to bring your own wetsuit . The purpose of a wetsuit is twofold, to keep you warm whilst underwater, and to protect you from marine life that may sting you. A full suit will keep you warmer at depth and give you more protection, but if you’ve already purchased a shorty they are acceptable. The most suitable thickness required for these waters is 3 mm (though 5mm gives added warmth). It’s possible to purchase a wetsuit for around £55-£60 or less - see www.ewetsuits.com Dive watch This is only needed if you are going to be diving beyond your Open Water course. It doesn’t have to be very technical, but you must have a watch that is waterproof to at least 100m. Mask and Snorkel These are available for hire or can be purchased from most dive shops for around £20-£30. If you wear glasses or contacts it may be a good idea to invest in a prescription mask (check with your dive shop or optician). Fins and Booties Fins come in two varieties, full foot fins (booties not necessary), and fins with straps that require neoprene booties. It is completely down to personal preference. There are fins and booties in a range of sizes for hire on site. Swimsuits You will need to bring 2 or 3 swimming costumes or bikinis. Sunblock Please bring plenty of waterproof sunblock SPF 30 minimum. Dive knife This is a recommended but not essential item. Medical Kit The following are essential items:
You may also wish to consider taking the following:
Important If you need to take prescribed medicines whilst on expedition, please bring sufficient supplies to cover your stay. For example if you are asthmatic you MUST bring you own inhalers, or if you have a history or recognized risk of going into anaphylactic shock due to an allergy, you must supply your own Epipen. Always waterproof and clearly label drugs (with generic, rather than trade names). Occasionally there are restrictions on travelling with certain medicines. If you think this may be relevant to you, please contact your Home Office Drugs Branch (in the UK: 0207 273 3806). |
