South America

Venezuela

Location

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana.

The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. There have been muggings and kidnappings by bogus taxi operators. Caracas is by far the most dangerous place. Vehicle security, personal security, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, checkpoints, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters. Care must be taken at night. Avoid less busy areas. Use taxis where necessary.

Use bottled water.

Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in north-west; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in south-east.

Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands.

Subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts.

Bilharzia, dengue fever, hepatitis A, malaria, measles, polio, typhoid, yellow fever. Non-malarial mosquitoes and tropical parasite diseases are endemic.
Hospital: Hospital Clinico Universitario, Ciudad Universitaria, Caracas. Tel: 206627540

Sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations.

Many vehicles are in poor condition and driving under the influence of alcohol is common. You should ensure you carry all documentation at all times. Failure to produce documents can result in your vehicle being seized by police. Checkpoints are common. Drive slowly through these and stop when asked. There have been reports of attempts by police / National Guard to extort money for spurious reasons. In event of an accident, both vehicles must remain in position.

Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) (5 days)
Centurion's flagship Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) course is for people who operate world wide, particularly in areas where there may be personal health or safety concerns. It is extremely effective for "frontline" organisations.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.