Trek in the jungle

Expert Dominic Hall on how to survive

Believe it or not, a jungle expedition is not as scary as it sounds. Expert Dominic Hall runs Fieldskills, a UK and Borneo-based specialist with ten years experience in preparing expedition teams and providing bespoke training for fieldwork overseas.

As head of the UK training program, he teaches essential survival skills to wannabe trekkers and leads groups through jungles around the world. Hall tells Wideworld his top tips for surviving a journey through the jungle...

1. Drink, drink, drink….

Remember how important hydration is – when temperatures are in the 30s and humidity can reach 80% – 90%, hydration is vital.

2. …But not just water

Your body relies on salt as well as water, so a good balanced diet, maybe supplemented by some rehydration solutions is the best way to make sure you stay hydrated.

3. Check your Pee!

How you know how hydrated you are? It sounds bizarre, but pee colour is the key!� A dark – orangey colour suggests that you are dehydrated, but a pure “evian-like’ could suggest that you are over hydrated or lacking in salts. The optimum colour is light a straw coloured yellow pee.

4. Keep it Clean

You’ll need to drink a lot of water, but make sure every last drop is purified and pre-filtered. Jungle water is often murky and dirty, so it may be necessary to filter and/or stand the water before boiling. Alternatively, you can use a chemical solution like iodine tincture- use about five drops of solution per litre, and leave it to stand for half an hour.

5. Look after your feet

The jungle is hot, sweaty and damp, so feet can really suffer. The best way to look after them is to treat them like babies clean, dry and powder them every day…

6. Forget Fancy Clothing

Wear cheap things that you don’t mind wrecking! In the jungle technical materials like Goretex generally don’t work effectively in such high humidity.� So wear basic clothing that’s light weight, quick drying and hardwearing.

7. Put on Your Boots

One of your most important pieces of kit is a....

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