Safety issues and Volunteer responsabilities at Taricaya Research Centre

What follows are a series of safety recommendations which we strongly advise you to adhere to and a list of what will be expected of you in terms of project input and helping out around the centre.

Safety Issues:

a) Travel by boat

Life jackets must be worn at all times in the boat
Maximum Capacity of the boat is 12 passengers; at no time shall numbers exceed this maximum
If travelling by boat at night it is advisable to have a flashlight handy
Avoid slipping on boarding and disembarking by wearing boots (especially important during the wet season)

b) Safe Jungle Walking

The forest trails and paths are safe and well marked but nevertheless there are certain dangers associated with jungle hiking. The majority are seldom more than mere inconveniences but there are simple precautions for safe jungle walking and in addition to the induction hikes that the lodge supervisor will take you on here are some basic rules to follow:

Do not "grab" at vegetation to steady yourself; many plants have thorns or spines or harbour hoards of aggressive stinging ants;

Take care when you step on the trail; it is easy to slip on mud, trip on tree roots, fall down an animal burrow or end up standing in a column of army ants if you don't look where you are going.

NEVER LEAVE THE TRAILS WITHOUT TRAINED STAFF. The jungle is incredibly disorientating and even trained guides seldom leave marked trails. Even just wandering 10m of the trails can cause a loss of direction.

Take plenty of water with you, and on longer walks a small snack, it is easy to get dehydrated as the humidity, heat and exertion increase perspiration.

Wear appropriate shoes for the walk; rubber boots are ideal as they keep your feet dry. Old trainers or tennis shoes will get wet and dirty. The soles need grip for muddy paths.

Wear appropriate clothes and apply insect repellent to exposed body parts before a jungle walk and take some repellent with you.

Always take a waterproof with you. A sunny day can turn to a tropical deluge in minutes. It is warm rain, but out in the open in a slight breeze it can feel chilly, especially on a boat. A poncho is good as it also covers your daypack, camera, etc.

On jungle walks at night, take a torch to avoid roots and puddles. Not only does the light help you see where you are going, but also it illuminates weird and wonderful creatures not usually seen by day. A climbers' torch worn on your head is ideal for camping and studying. For walking in the jungle at night, it may attract insects to the light beam and hence your face, which you may find disconcerting, but this is not usually too much of a problem.

c) Bites and Stings

Repellent should be worn at all times whilst out on the trails to avoid mosquito bites
Shoes left outside the rooms should be shaken before being worn to avoid the bites of any unwanted visitors
Whilst the chances of a snakebite are minimal we recommend wearing boots and thick trousers as 67% of snakebites are below the knee
Avoid long grass where possible as biting insects known as chiggers can provide some discomfort

d) Fire

Smokers please ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished.
No smoking in bedrooms, especially in bed with mosquito net down!!!

Centre Maintenance:

Obviously general hygiene is of great importance with so many of us living in close quarters and whilst the cleanliness of the individual rooms is a personal matter volunteers will be asked to tidy up if their rooms are considered to be in a dissatisfactory state. To avoid problems of hygiene we recommend that volunteers do not walk around in bare feet and that sandals be worn. Your only responsibility apart from your rooms will be a rota system arranged amongst yourselves for keeping the bathroom areas clean.

You are here to enjoy yourselves and these basic rules are designed to allow everyone, staff and volunteers alike, to make the most of their time in the rainforest. The most basic of rules is quite simply just to use common sense, there will be occasions when you may want to celebrate and let your hair down! All we ask is that you consider the other volunteers with regards to noise production and that your behaviour is always considerate to those around you.

Electricity is provided by a generator which will be operational between 6 and 9 p.m. At other times candles and flashlights will be necessary.

Water is stored in a large tank behind the study area should at any time you find that the tank has emptied just report it to the lodge supervisor and more will be pumped up immediately.

All it remains for me to do is to wish you a wonderful stay with us. I can assure you that the more you put into your time here, the more you will take away with you when you leave. However, should you have any problems please feel free to come to me at any time, either in person or through the lodge supervisor.

STUART TIMSON

CONSERVATION MANAGER
RESERVA ECOLOGICÀ TARICAYA

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