Namibia is a country just above South Africa on the Atlantic Ocean and was formally called German South West Africa. Namibia is approximately twice the size California but only has a population of 1.5 million people, half of which are located in Windhoek the capital. The geological significance of Namibia is that it is 95% desert and contains the oldest desert in the world, the Namib. Namibia just regained its independence from controlling South Africa in 1990 thanks to SWAPO the native guerilla rebels.

The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of the historical significance of Namibia by studying history, literature, humanities, and the ecology. The highlights of the trip were: spending 5 days with Grootburg Primary school and helping them dig 200 fence posts by hand, learning the Darma, San, Owambo, Swapo, Nama, and Herero cultures, taking safari trips to Etosha Pan, learn some of geological importances of the oldest desert in the world, and lastly to work together as a group to survive a month of camping in one of the harshest desert countries in the world.

I am a married man without children so the opportunity was very exciting for me but the cost was an initial concern. Having expressed my desires to join Dr. McAninch Rnzi on his trip he made me an offer I could not refuse. He offered me a substantial discount on the cost of the trip if I agreed to provide basic medical service for the students. This opportunity was just like a dream come true for any EMS provider.

I began researching my liabilities and responsibilities for the trip immediately as well as taking all of the required classroom courses. The liabilities of the trip were significantly larger than I had originally thought they would be. Some of the concerns were getting all of the students compliant on the required immunizations for the trip, deciding the level of care I could provide, getting all of the travelers to get all the prescription medication they would possibly need for the trip. Getting a list from all students of the medications they require and the allergies they have, learning any physical handicaps any of the students would have, and lastly organizing the medical supplies I would take.


The supplies for the trip needed to include anything you might possibly need while hiking in extreme desert areas, as well as diet related illnesses. The medical kit included: bandages, Sam splints, moleskin, tape, scissors, hand cleaner, topical antibiotics, cold packs, heat packs, and plenty of sunscreen. The medications included: antiemetic, antibiotics, Advil, and sleep aids. The students were encouraged to get these type of medications prescribed for them and carry their own and I would assist in the dosing and timing of the medications if needed.

The most important aspect of the medical planning was the education of the students into the prevention of illness and injury while in Namibia. This took a considerable amount of research on my part into the biological, geological, and social, hazards. But, it was precisely this education that made our experience in Namibia almost completely free of any medical incidents.

The incidents were limited to small lacerations from glass, abrasions, sunburns, jetlag, dysentery, hiking blisters, and general non-viral illnesses. Overall the trip was major medical incident free despite the increased risk with camping and hiking in harsh environment. This was due to the large part of education and preparation the students and I did prior to departure.


The trip included: learning about the EMS of Namibia by speaking with some EMT's from Windhoek; touring the clinic that services the primary school; looking inside an ambulance from the Namibian Health Ministry; and researching health care issues associated with HIV, Hepatitis, and malnutrition that affect the area around Namibia and South Africa.

The overall impression of the healthcare field of Namibia that I got was they are a lot more progressive for a third world country than I would have imagined. The search and rescue program in Namibia is very comprehensive; it includes several medivac helicopters and volunteers. The hospitals are few and far between due to the vastness of the area but the rescue helicopters provide a fast route of transportation of the severely sick and injured. The tourist industry in Namibia is rapidly growing, a tribute to the ecological, biological, and historical wonders that Namibia provides. Several of the tourist outfits provide their own basic form of first-aid and survival education. Conversations via the Internet prior to the departure of our school group provided me with the majority of the survival and education information necessary for a successful trip.

Overall, the trip was very educational and spiritually satisfying for the school group and for me. The instructors that were leading the trip gave several lectures in historical locations that provided us students a very educational experience. I met several correspondents and friends in the tribes that we socialized with. I took several hundred pictures and brought back many treasures. The trip to Namibia was so rewarding for me that I plan to go back in the near future.

Eric Dildine, EMT-P
Mercy Flights, Incorporated
Student, Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University