Lower Orange or Richtersveld Trip

[Gerhard]

Ja to be honest, the medical was an after-thought (just had one done myself). Last thing you want on the river is a guy having a heart attack or something and then it's your baby to deal with it!

A medial fund that will be willing to go out and pickup a patient should something happen.

Do you have cellphone coverage in the region?

If not how would you communicate during an emergency?

[Korrie]

Most of the area along the Orange are either covered by the SA or Namibian cell phone operators

[Gerhard]

Most of the area along the Orange are either covered by the SA or Namibian cell phone operators

Cool stuff,

Thanks for the info Korrie.

[will101]

A medial fund that will be willing to go out and pickup a patient should something happen.

Do you have cellphone coverage in the region?

If not how would you communicate during an emergency?

We take along an emergency satellite locator beacon. One can also rent a satellite phone which is the other option. The area that we normally visit has no cell reception. I think you loose it just outside Aussenkehr and I am not sure where you get signal again - possibly Rosh Pinah only?

[Andre]

We take along an emergency satellite locator beacon. One can also rent a satellite phone which is the other option. The area that we normally visit has no cell reception. I think you loose it just outside Aussenkehr and I am not sure where you get signal again - possibly Rosh Pinah only?

There are cells along the way. there is sporadic signal all the way to Rosh Pinah from Vioolsdrift. The area isn't as remote as it used to be. basically medical emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime, but a bit of common sense goes a long way. A basic knowledge of first aid and elementary resuscitation and stabilising techniques will serve you well. I have been up to the various parts of the Orange river, Lesotho, Okavango, Zambia, dozens of times, with large and small groups of old men, young children, pregnant women etc, and only once had a medical issue, and we got the old guy out without any problem. Sat phones etc etc are uneccessary, unless you paranoid. You have more chance of getting killed on the road travelling there, then while you are there.

[Korrie]

There are cells along the way. there is sporadic signal all the way to Rosh Pinah from Vioolsdrift. The area isn't as remote as it used to be. basically medical emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime, but a bit of common sense goes a long way. A basic knowledge of first aid and elementary resuscitation and stabilising techniques will serve you well. I have been up to the various parts of the Orange river, Lesotho, Okavango, Zambia, dozens of times, with large and small groups of old men, young children, pregnant women etc, and only once had a medical issue, and we got the old guy out without any problem. Sat phones etc etc are uneccessary, unless you paranoid. You have more chance of getting killed on the road travelling there, then while you are there.

Andre
if the risk is "Travelling there" then maybe you should not be "travelling there?"

[Andre]

Andre
if the risk is "Travelling there" then maybe you should not be "travelling there?"

Im prepared to take the risk. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Korrie]

Andre
You are getting on in years and I am not sure you should be taking these risks anymore.
It is dangerous and your heart might not be able to handle the stress of the anticipated trek up north

[Andre]

I know... ha ha Korrie... I really dont mind dying up there. will save a trip to scatter my ashes.:biggrin:

[Korrie]

Andre
I just had some feedback about your medical.


You failed it and will have to stay in Cape town and die in Cape Town.

But the good news is,



We will take your ashes with us and we will scatter it on the last day, at least you can enjoy the trip with us.