EricD
.416 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
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Has anyone bought this from the African Hunter magazine?
The Ultimate Field Guide for Survival in the African Bushveld - CDROM
I'm wondering if it would be an useful addition to this book, which has helped me in several situations:
Where There Is No Doctor
Erik
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Kalunga
.333 member
Reged: 16/06/06
Posts: 328
Loc: Germany
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Hi Erik ! I got this CDROM and its OK. There is a lot of information on this CD, but hard to say if it is useful for You. I don't know "Where there is no doctor" but was already thinking of ordering it. It seems that You recommend it. I would like to know if You are interested in the medical side of hunting in Africa ? It's always nice to discuss matters with others.
Wicked good hunting !
Kalunga
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EricD
.416 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
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Kalunga,
My interest in the medical side has been out of necessity, and not because I have formal medical training. When my wife and I drove by ourselves from Norway to RSA for a year, thru 20 African countries, we had no choice but to brush up on things so we could take care of most potential health problems underway by ourselves. In many regions we were very far from any kind of help for long periods of time, and thus had to be as self sufficient as possible. I have a fair bit of medic and first aid training from the military, which was helpful in some regards, but the great thing with "Where there is no doctor" is that besides describing all kinds of procedures in detail (from childbirth to drug dosages), it's written in a fashion that most people can easily understand. It's made for health workers and medical personnel who are working far off the beaten track in Africa, so it take also into consideration what resources are most likely availible. It uses a lot of illustrations, so if you need for example to establish what kind of intestinal worms you have contracted, all you have to do is flip thru the books parasite pictures till you find the right one, and a choice of recommended drugs and dosages. Which I know because that's exactly what we had to do once... 
I know they used to make a version for Asia and South America earlier, but I am not sure if they still do this. The African version naturally has the specific African diseases and problems etc.
I doubt most tourist hunters would have much use for a lot of the things in the book, but there is actually quite a bit that can come in handy in daily life for that matter. So I have no problem recommending it to people who are a little more than casually interested in being able to take care of themselves or others.
With that said, I've not always been impressed with the medical knowledge of PHs I've met (and African doctors for that sake!), and am glad I've studied up a bit myself. I don't like having to rely blindly on others (who might be lacking in knowledge), and therefore prefer to be able to take care of myself as much as possible in most situations that may arise. As long as it isn't brain surgery! 
Erik
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40759
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
I doubt most tourist hunters would have much use for a lot of the things in the book, but there is actually quite a bit that can come in handy in daily life for that matter. So I have no problem recommending it to people who are a little more than casually interested in being able to take care of themselves or others.
I remember sitting on a beach on Lake Malawi having a rest for a couple of days before we pushed on, reading with a group of people a book similar to this one. It listed all the different African diseases, their symptoms, rememedies etc.
One of the "best" was an incurable itching disease in West Africa where many victims killed themselves in anguish!
Reading that book while morbidly fascinating did make one feel sick. 
--------------------
John aka NitroX
 ...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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500grains
.416 member
Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
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Erik,
I thought about buying that one but never got around to it. Hopefully none of us will never need that type of info, but every year some clients and some PHs need it, so it is probably best to be prepared.
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Kalunga
.333 member
Reged: 16/06/06
Posts: 328
Loc: Germany
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ErikD, just received my copy of "Where there is no Doctor" !It's very promising, thanks for the good advice !
Kalunga
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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500grains
My view is we might never need this info but when you do need it
it is too late to start reading !!!
Anyone who goes out bush should at least do some research or a course - even the most basics can keep you alive.
One thing I have noticed is young people nowadays have very little idea about the bush, bush skills, survival etc.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40759
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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A book is FAR MORE useful in an emergency situation than a CD-ROM which would be useless. Unless one pre-studies up like 500Nitro suggests.
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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NitroX
Re CD-ROM - Very good - I like that.
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