Working in Iraq - Travel

Not all desert / tropical crossings are dangerous, but there are hazards in all these areas, and these include the possibility of water scarcity.

This in itself is the team`s main problem.

You must make your own mind up as to travel or stay where you are; once you have made this decision you must stick to it.

Before you make this decision think about the following points:
• How far do you have to travel?
• Who else knows that you are there?
• What equipment do you have, in case of a survival situation?
• What rescue facilities do you have?

If you are forced to walk to safety the distance you cover will relate directly to water available. With none, a temperature of 48 C (118 F), walking at night and resting during the day, you could cover about 40 km. Attempting to walk during the day you would be lucky to cover 8 km before collapse. At the same temperature with about two litres of water you might cover 55 km and last three days.

If you decide to travel, leave a sign for possible rescue parties and proceed slowly and carefully, keeping the priorities of survival in mind.

You should always try to travel in the early morning, night and late evening.

Maintain the desired direction and don`t travel when visibility is bad.

You may get 50 km per day on four litres of water provided that your perspiration is controlled and you travel during the cooler hours.