- Be punctual. Field work sessions are usually tide-dependent and we must start work on time.
- Be well rested, well fed, and well hydrated beforehand. Don't come if you are not feeling well.
- For mapping survey work which involves stepping into mud, wear diving booties. Booties are essential for work in soft mud. Inexpensive booties can be bought from the camping supplies shops at Beach Road (near the Army Surplus stores). Booties can also be bought from some sporting goods shops, camping shops, and of course dive supplies shops. "Puah Chu Kang" wellingtons are NOT suitable for work in soft mud. The wellington remains stuck in mud as you lift your foot out of the mud. This makes it almost impossible to walk.
- For all other work, wear covered shores or sturdy hiking sandals.
- Do NOT wear sandals or japanese slippers. But you can bring these to change into AFTER the field trip.
- Wear long light pants and long-sleeved shirt. These will protect you from biting insects, scrapes and cuts from litter and wood buried in soft mud, floating jellyfish and other stinging animals in water.
- Keep clothes light and breatheable.
- Drinking water and a small energising field snack.
- Wet weather gear: poncho/raincoat will keep you drier than an umbrella, and leave your hands free.
- Hat for the sun.
- Insect repellent.
- Simple medical kit in case of injuries to yourself. Things to include in the kit: ordinary plaster strips for cuts, a small tube of antiseptic cream, a small vial of sterile saline solution (used by contact lens wearers) to flush out irritants from eyes. You can easily get these items from the usual pharmacies. Also bring along a bottle of clean drinking water, which can also be used to clean cuts and scrapes.
- Bring a change of clean clothes and footwear.
- Keep your pack light. Do not bring valuables with you on the trip.
Concerned about Zika and going outdoors?
Here's advice from the Ministry of Health:
"Travellers to countries with local transmission of the Zika virus should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long, covered clothing, applying insect-repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets or in rooms with wire-mesh screens to keep out mosquitoes. They should seek medical attention promptly if they become unwell."For more information on Zika, please refer to the Zika microsite at www.gov.sg/microsites/zika.
Try this online safety quiz! Learn more about how to stay safe on the shore.
