Medical advice by Dr Deb

Dr Debs travel doctor travel medicine Dr Deborah “Deb” Mills

Back Track Adventures is taking every precaution on your behalf to ensure a safe and exciting experience but there are some things that only you can do. Once you are well prepared, you can relax and have a good time.

Personal preparation involves:

Making an appointment immediately with your Doctor for a health check. Discuss the merits of a cardi vascular test
Getting fit
Correct Immunisations
Malaria prevention
Carrying personal medical supplies
Practicing healthy behaviours

Back Track Recommendations

Please speak with a medical professional on the above 6 points when booking.
If you live in Brisbane: We recommend that you speak with Dr Deb and her Team of Travel Doctors for the right advice.
For all other areas in Australia: Follow the link to find a Professional Travel Doctor closest to you.

Back Track Leader’s notes regarding Health on the Track

Though we hear reports of other Kokoda groups experiencing long bouts of gastro problems during their trek, Back Track has never had any problems with group gastro problems. Occassionally, rarely, we may have a trekker who experiences a day or two with a very ‘touchy’ stomach but with the right care this condition usually heals very quickly.

Some of our Trek Leader’s tips:

always listen to your trek leader regarding health issues. Follow his/her advice on safe water sources and water treatment.
Do not peel fruit with your teeth, always use a knife.
Bring anti bactarial hand wash and use constantly, especially before eating.
report any health issues immediately to your Trek Leader. Do not hesitate in informing your leader if you feel unwell.
Blisters-Foot care/health is important (1). wear in boots before arriving in PNG (2) carry small foot care kit. (3) ensure socks are pulled on tight (4) ensure boots are well laced and tight. (5) if prone to tinea, carry small tune of anti fungal cream
Walk with your eyes and mind on the Track at all times.Listen to the advice given daily by your trek leader regarding Track conditions.
Before starting your trek training programme, visit your Doctor and have a complete medical check over.
Once you arrive in Port Moresby (having done the training back in Aus) relax and you will enjoy your holiday. Our itinerary is arranged so you can meet each days objective in a leisurely fashion. Stop frequently to enjoy the views and ensure you keep well hydrated.
Walk each day with a relaxed, happy attitude. If you are uptight and worried about everything, you will increase your chances of an accident or experiencing ill health.
Follow the above advice and good health and well being will come as a matter of course.

Mental preparation for the Kokoda Track

Travelling in a remote, underdeveloped country like Papua New Guinea requires patience, flexibility and a positive attitude. The local people have a more relaxed, easy-going attitude to life than most Westerners. You may have to wait longer for service in a shop, hotel or restaurant than you would expect to back home. At Back Track Adventures, we don’t look upon these things as problems, merely facts of life in PNG. if you are open-minded, relaxed and strive to be happy, your travels will be rewarding and unforgettable.

How tough is the Kokoda Track?

Toughness

You will need this ingredient more than any other for the trek. In your preparation, be tough on yourself. Set your training goals and stick to them. If it means getting up earlier to train, then do it. If it means dieting, cutting back on alcohol, coffee etc, then do it. If it means forfeiting social engagements, then do it. Don’t compromise with yourself under any circumstances. Every additional step you take and every sacrifice you make will pay incredible dividends for you somewhere on the Track.

Some general health tips while travelling, anywhere

Take a medical kit
Practice safe sex
Be careful what you eat and drink – avoid uncooked foods and salads, peel your own fruit, be suspicious of buffet style meals, if the water in the country is unsafe to consume, so is the ice in your drink.
Make sure your vaccinations are current
Limit your consumption of alcohol to safe levels
Avoid close contact with animals, including domestic pets
Use mosquito repellent and take anti-malarial medication if in a malarial area
Be especially careful when driving
Protect yourself from overexposure to the sun
Ensure that you have enough medical and personal essentials to last the trip. In some countries the supply of feminine hygiene products and condoms may be unreliable.
Use medicated hand wash before eating.
Get adequate rest during your travels
AND MOST IMPORTANT – take out adequate travel insurance.

The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website has a very informative section on health for Australian citizens travelling overseas: www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html

Another helpful website is - Travel Health Advisory Group - www.welltogo.com.au/checklists

Fresh Food on the Kokoda Track

Well fed trekkers are happy trekkers. We provide good quality nourishing meals each day on the Track. We also supply the cutlery, plates and cups etc.

A Typical Menu

Breakfast is tea/coffee/milo, damper, porridge or Weetbix or Cornflakes with powdered milk, damper and banana fritters. (Peanut paste, jam and vegemite is available when hot fresh damper is served)

Lunch is noodles, cuppa soups, salada biscuits, cheese, salami, tuna and fruit with tea/coffee.

Dinner is freshly prepared by our local crew and includes pizza, sausages and potato mash, a variety of different curries, including a beautiful Thai pumpkin curry, spagetti bolognaise with parmesian cheese, prawn crackers with, fried rice and other tasty dishes. Local food items such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams are purchased when available from villages to complement our dinner menus. Chocolate tim tams and other sweet biscuits are served with brewed coffee, tea or milo.

Please note: all meals are prepared on open camp fires and all food stuffs are carried by your trek support crew.

Meal preparation: We request 2 volunteers at each meal time, on a rotation basis, to assist the cook with meal preparation. This helps establish a bond between the crew and our trekkers. There is usually very little to do, but trekkers enjoy this relaxing time with the crew and find it fun and a time to talk and get to know the crew.

Bring your favourite munchies: In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner supplied, we strongly recommend that you bring your favourite snack items along on the trek. Allow for 2 munchie bars,some lollies, gatoraid or similar for each trek day,

Fresh Fruit such as bananas, mandarines and occasionally pineapple and passionfruit are available as we trek through some small villages and camp sites. It is recommended that you have small kina notes to pay for any of these small personal purchases along the way.

Soft drinks / South Pacific lager: In some villages, coke, fanta and even the local very refreshing South Pacific Lager brewed in Port Moresby is available. Soft drinks sell from 5 -7 kina per can and beer from 10 to 12 kina per can.