JUNGLE SURVIVAL KITS IN LATIN AMERICAN AVIATION
The vast expanse of tropical rainforest, from the jungles of Nicaragua to the Amazon in Brazil, offers breathtaking beauty and a sense of awe. I recall fondly flying for hours over he canopy of the tropical rain forests in Nicaragua in a helicopter, and while incredibly impressed by the vast jungle beauty, a thought came to me. The engine pitch changed a few times, and the noise alterations caused me to pause and consider what I would do if we had a forced landing. The thought of a forced landing amidst such a landscape is a sobering one. While statistically improbable, airline crews operating in Latin America, like those in Central America, Colombia, and Brazil, are trained specifically to be prepared for the potential risks inherent to flying over such challenging terrain. You may not be aware of it, however carriers like LATAM Airlines, Avianca and others often carry specialized jungle survival kits onboard when flying such routes.
Aviators throughout the region understand well that survival in a jungle environment depends on specialized equipment and comprehensive knowledge.
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT FOR SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTS
Unlike generic survival kits designed for flights over water or arid regions, jungle survival kits are specifically tailored to address the unique challenges of tropical jungles. They are not simply emergency provisions; they are a collection of resources intended to support crew and passenger survival until the rescue teams arrive. The COO of LATAM Airlines for example, recently mentioned that in the past flights were cancelled because the sugar in the Jungle Survival Kit was expired. Incredible to think, but true. He explained that the team at LATAM Airlines addressed the issue of expired sugar, by seeking out and replacing the provision with non-expiring sugar substitutes, thereby eliminating the risk of flight cancellations. Simple yet brilliant solution when you think of it!
ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF THE JUNGLE SURVIVAL KIT
The contents of these kits, while specific to airline and regulatory guidelines, typically include:
First Aid
Essential medical supplies such as bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and gloves. Crew members typically undergo training in basic first aid to ensure effective utilization of these supplies in a jungle landing emergency. General Aviation pilots also tend to train for this.
Shelter
It also includes items designed to provide protection from the elements and aid in maintaining body temperature, such as tube tents, emergency bags, gloves, and even sunglasses if you can imagine. There are survival courses available to aviators that include lessons on how on constructing and maintaining temporary shelters using these materials in a wild unpopulated tropical environment.
Water
It contains a limited supply of packaged water for initial hydration. However, the ability to find and purify additional water sources is an essential knowledge and skill. In survival modules crew members undergo training in water procurement and purification techniques.
Food
Whilst survival rations are provided, consumption is prioritized only when sufficient water sources have been secured. And of course, sugar too.
Signaling
It contains various signaling devices, such as signal mirrors, flares, strobe lights, and smoke flares. Aircrews receive training on how to utilize these devices effectively, maximizing the probability of being located by rescue teams.
Fire Starting
There are materials for starting a fire, such as matches, and candles inside.
Tools
Essential tools like a folding shovel, multi-tool, pliers, a saw, duct tape, and a flashlight. These are designed to support shelter construction, environmental maintenance, and problem-solving in a survival situation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND ONGOING PREPAREDNESS
While the regulatory bodies such as the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) of Brazil or regional equivalents as well as the FAA provide equipment guidelines, true survival depends on individual preparedness. The FAA, for example, issue a MOD1 Survival Kit as well as other variants.
Several North American carriers operate deep into South America, and they have their own equipment guidance in that regard.
To give you an example, the FAA Mod 1 kit may contain items such as:
·???????? Illustrated guide to surviving life-threatening situations
·???????? Injuries bandage
·???????? Scissors
·???????? Forceps
·???????? Ointment antiseptic and antibiotics
·???????? Towels
·???????? Tincture
·???????? Butterfly closure strips
·???????? Surgical gloves
·???????? Antimicrobial hand wipes
·???????? Sterile dressing in various sizes
·???????? Adhesive tape
·???????? Adhesive bandages in various sizes
·???????? Trauma pads
·???????? Gauze bandage
·???????? Cotton tipped applicator
·???????? Elastic bandage with Velcro
·???????? Acetaminophen and ani-histamine
·???????? Ibuprofen
·???????? Safety pins
·???????? Accident report and pencil
·???????? A spark-based fire starter or waterproof matches
·???????? A cable saw
·???????? Essential medication
·???????? A small signal mirror
·???????? Water purification tablets
·???????? A trash bag
·???????? A solar blanket
·???????? A mini flashlight
·???????? Compass
·???????? Cotton
·???????? A small first aid kit
·???????? Dental floss
·???????? Some even include a small fishing kit
·???????? Signaling items such as flares. Orange Smoke Flare.
·???????? Whistles for calling attention
These personal survival kits are designed to be compact, lightweight, and easily accessible, when leaving the aircraft for crew members as they evacuate passengers and crew in a forced landing situation.
It's not enough to simply have the equipment onboard; flight crews are trained to be familiar with the contents and operation of all survival gear, capable of utilizing it effectively in a real-world wilderness scenario. Training, ongoing knowledge, and continuous preparation are the foundation of survival for aircrews and their passengers, providing the skills and mental fortitude to overcome the challenges of surviving in the jungles of Latin America.
BASIC TIPS FOR SURVIVING IN THE TROPICS
The "Rule of Threes" serves as a simple reminder of survival priorities in a tropical jungle environment. They refer to how long you are likely to survive in the absence of the each.
·???????? Three Minutes Without Air
·???????? Three Hours Without Shelter
·???????? Three Days Without Water
·???????? Three Weeks Without Food
These rules of thumb serve as a helpful framework for prioritizing survival needs in challenging situations. While the shelter one may be dependent upon the extremes of the location, the main concept is clear.
While given the remarkable safety record of aviation worldwide, it is highly unlikely that the Jungle Survival Kits will need to be used. Those in General Aviation and operators of smaller aircraft and rotary aircraft are potentially at greater risk when flying deep into jungle terrains. It is important, indeed required, to be prepared. The tropical rainforest environments of Latin Ameria also pose unique health and safety risks for the unprepared. The warm, humid climate within jungles can foster bacterial growth, making wound care essential. If one is hurt during the ditching or evacuation, make sure to promptly clean and cover any injuries to prevent infection. Mosquitoes can transmit malaria. Utilizing appropriate medication, repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito nets can significantly reduce the risk if you are going to be in location for a while. Ticks and fleas require vigilance too, with regular body checks and preventative measures like tucking pant legs into socks. Avoid stagnant water to minimize encounters with leeches, and if you do encounter one, use insect repellent, tobacco, or alcohol to encourage it to detach.
The most common medical problems in tropical environments stem from infections and insect bites if the accident hasn’t already inflicted worse wounds. If you sustain any injuries during a forced landing, those injuries must be treated immediately and given constant attention.
To prevent complications some Jungle and Aviation Survival Kits will also contain treatments for;
·???????? Malaria Prevention
·???????? Dapsone and Chloroquine Primaquine
·???????? Insect Repellent
·???????? Nets and/or screens
Tropical flies lay eggs in open wounds, further emphasizing the need for wound care and sterilization.
Leeches are prevalent in the Amazon and other jungles of Latin America, often found in stagnant water. While not poisonous, the abrasion from their bites can become infected. Do not brush them off; encourage them to release by applying insect repellent, moist tobacco, a burning cigarette, an ember from a fire, or a few drops of alcohol. To avoid leeches, avoid their typical habitats and consider blousing pants around the ankles or tucking pant legs into boots or socks.
There are a variety of snakes in the continent and not all are venomous, but it's sensible to avoid them altogether. Most bites occur when a snake feels threatened, so pay attention to your surroundings and do not provoke or handle any snake, especially if you are not familiar with them.
Having been stung recently by a Scorpion in Nicaragua, I can attest to the pain and discomfort they can inflict. Be sure to elevate clothing and be vigilant for them as you set up your sleeping area. They tend to climb onto clothing left on the ground and you may want to elevate spare clothing to avoid this danger. ?
High humidity can make clothing remain damp or wet for longer periods. Try to stay as dry as possible, especially at night, as dampness contributes to skin diseases.
When constructing a shelter, prioritize a high point, an open area away from water, and an elevated sleeping platform to avoid insects. Use palm fronds or other broad leaves for bedding and cover the shelter with layers of palm leaves for waterproofing.
Fire is essential for warmth, comfort, and protection from insects. Use inner bark or fibers from palm leaves as tinder, and once the fire is established, add damp wood. The Jungle Survival Kit should help with this, and the crew members will be able to use the provisions accordingly.
Signaling can be challenging due to the dense foliage. Flares and launchers may not be as effective. If possible, move to an open area or clearing for optimal visibility.
Stay near the wreckage or fuselage of a downed aircraft (but stay far enough away if fire or explosion is a factor), as debris, bent or broken tree limbs, and the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) will aid rescue efforts.
Finding water should be an easy task but purify all water from streams and surfaces before consumption. Rainwater is safe to drink.
Many vines will drip water when cut. A banana plant cut down to one foot tall will provide water. Hollow out the trunk to form a deep bowl. In a few hours, the bowl will overflow with water. The bowl will produce water for about four days. Cover it to protect it from insects. If the surface of the water becomes covered with a blue-tinted film, skim it off, as drinking it may make you sick.
The tropics offer plenty of edible fruits. You may be able to find papaya, bananas and much more besides. Taro, cassava, and wild yams are abundant and nutritious. Fish and land crabs offer readily available protein, but ensure they are thoroughly cooked.
The presence of jungle survival kits on flights over the vast jungles of Central and South America are required for passenger and crew safety and ditching survivability. Acknowledging that in the face of unforeseen events, preparedness is the ultimate safeguard. Most passengers sitting comfortably in their seats may be blissfully unaware that their professional flight crews are prepared for even Jungle Survival! Next time you are in a window seat looking down on the tropical rain forests, take a quick glance at your professional crew members onboard and simply call to mind the fact that they are primarily there for your safety, security and in certain circumstances, yes, your survival.
Thank you,
Noel Cox
Principal Aviation Consultant avcox
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