My friend Zahra is a full-scope Family Physician like myself who is bravely flying out to the MIddle East tomorrow morning to provide medical relief to those effected by the Syrian Civil War. Prior to her arrival in Syria she'll also be training Turkish and Syrian surgeons in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Since I have experience in disaster relief and mission medicine Zahra asked for some help in preparing for her mission.
I thought it would be interesting to share the gear list we prepared. The most important aspects when preparing for a trip like this is to be light and fast. You need to be prepared to move as quickly as possible, and you can't leave your gear behind so it needs to be able to move with you at all times.
Clothing and pack color need to be subdued and not draw attention in crowds, especially as a foreign national in a war zone.
Bags
1 large duffel medical supplies (checked)
1 carry on - light hiking backpack (in neutral black/grey/light blue- no red or bright colors)
concealed passport/money pouch
Clothes
Street clothes arrival (top)
Departure clothes (top)
Jeans (1 pair)
Scrubs (3 tops, 2 pants)
Trail Running shoes (1 pair)
sleep clothes
underwear (x # comfortable), sports bra
headscarf or Shemagh
socks x 2 (Smartwool PhD ankle socks)
long sleeve 1/4 zip pullover (Patagonia Capilene 2 or 3)
thin rain jacket (Patagonia Houdini)
Electronics
iPhone (= camera, journal, language guide, med reference)
Kindle (to not go insane during downtime and long-term battery life)
headphones
usb cable for iphone and Kindle
charger
emergency usb battery pack
international adapter
Medical
stethoscope
emergency gloves
clear shooting glasses
n95 mask
Personal hygiene
small hand sanitizer
baby wipes
travel sized shampoo/conditioner/bodywash
toothpaste
toothbrush
small nail trimmer with file
small roll toilet paper
Food/water
10 high-protein energy bars
water purification tablets
gum or mints
Medications:
Fluconazole 150mg (1)
Ciprofloxacin 500mg (20)
Flagyl 500mg (20)
Doxycycline 100mg (20)
imodium (20)
bismuth salicylate (20)
mobic or naproxen (10-30)
vicodin (6)
prednisone 20mg (10)
Personal
eyeglasses
sunglasses & case
money pouch
bandana(1)
watch (Casio g-shock)
very small compass
ear plugs (hearos)
small roll of duct tape wrapped around 3 zip ties
pen x 2
Documents:
photocopy of medical license
photocopy of passport hidden in bag
flight itinerary hidden in bag
copies of all on iPhone
printed out map of the region and of the city (8x11)
Software/eBooks
iPhone
1.) byki Arabic
3.) epocrates
4.) DayOne
Kindle
(to load on Kindle and iPhone)
1.) 2.) Turkey & Syria country guides (Loney Planet, etc.)
3.) Auerbach Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine (Kindle)
or
Auerbach Wilderness Medicine 5th Ed (Kindle)
4.) Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care
5.) The ICU Book
6.) Where There Is No Doctor (pdf)
7.) Where There Is No Dentist (pdf)
-load these in iBooks on your iPhone
I wish Zahra luck on the good and selfless work she is doing.
If she has any form of internet access she'll send me updates and I'll post them here on HeartHandsEyes.com
-A