Above photo taken by Akash Banakar.

Quick Checklist from Documentary Filmmaker, Heidi Braudenburg

Remember the following:

• Anti-snakebite venom depending on location (or country of residence) from a chemist, clinic or specialist supplier.
• Water Purifier, or take sufficient water.
• Light waterproof trousers and long white sleeved shirt, or T-shirt (special jungle clothing).
• Wellingtons, or waterproof boots.
• Umbrella.
• Mosquito net.
• Tent or hammock.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Sun block.
• Malaria tablets.
• Water dehydration tablets (such as Gatorade in powder), as a lot of bodily fluid is lost.
• Good packaged meals, as it can be difficult at times to find food in the jungle.
• A good medical kit with diarrhea tablets. a ‘must’ since a strong bacterial infection could lead to a lot of water loss.
• If travelling to an isolated location, a satellite phone would be recommended in case of emergency.
• If travelling by boat, always hire two motorists and have two motors available in case one breaks down. With sufficient fuel.
• Will need to hire a generator or buy a solar power generator as some locations won’t have electricity to charge up batteries.
• A crash first aid course is recommended.
• Buy plastic covers for equipment as there can be heavy rain.
• Good travel insurance.
• Good language skills or translator.

First, all locations will need to be researched in depth, everything varies depending on location – from the type of viper bite and what anti-snakebite venom serum is taken, to what season is best for travelling since rainy season can be very dangerous. If travelling to a very isolated location, removal of appendix is recommended, since evacuation could take many hours, resulting in the appendix to burst.

Heidi Braudenburg has led a documentary field team shooting in the Rainforest. Her partners at Yachaywasi Films are Mathew Orzel and Taira Akbar. (chickeneggpics.org/grantee/when-two-worlds-collide)