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Training Manual for Village Based- Guides (2006)
I WANT TO BE A VILLAGE-BASED GUIDE
COURSE SYLLABUS: VILLAGE-BASED GUIDE TRAINING week Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
8 - 9
-What is a tourist and what do they like?
Security & International Tourists
-Protected Areas & Conservation
-How to protect the environment on a tour.
- Mitigating cultural misunderstandings
9 - 1
0
-What is a guide and what do they do?
-Tips for guides
- Village History
- Agricultural Calendar
- Festivals calendar
- What animals are found in your area and how can we see them?
Presentations
10 -
11
-Benefits of tourism
-Impacts of tourism
-Ecotourism
-Stories & Legends of the village
- Plants: What do you have in your area
Field Practice: showing plants, agricultural sites, forests and signs of wildlife (with a provincial guide)
11 -
12 -Tourism Policy
- Guide Regulations
Cultural Taboos in the village & other villages that are visited
How to explain wildlife & plants
-Food: What do tourists like to eat?
-Food available; local dishes
-Hygiene & Food presentation
First Aid & Emergencies
- Monitoring
English Review/Test
12-1
:30
Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
Lunch
1:30
-3:0
0
• Greetings
• Numbers
Occupation
Where do you come from?
Alphabet
Guiding commands
Time
Alphabet
Food
Feelings
Writing short words
Body Family
Time
Writing short word
Closing Ceremony
Who are tourists and what do they like?
1
Who are tourists?
StudentsFamilies
Tour Groups
Old People Young People
People on vacation from work
AdventuristsNaturalists Photographers
Individual Tourists
2
Where do they come from?
Other provinces in Laos(Lao people are tourists too!
Visit my village
Asian Countries:Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Korea
AmericanCanada
Europe: France, Germany, Netherlands
All tourists are not the same: they come from different countries
AustraliaNew Zealand
Israel
3
Why do tourists come to Laos?Nature
Adventure & TrekkingTemples & World Heritage
Ethnic Groups & Lao People Wildlife
Traditional Way of Life
Lao Crafts Lao Food
People come to see things that are different from their country4
1. Getting to know local people
What do tourists like to do in Laos?
2. Boating on beautiful rivers
3. Eating delicious Lao food 4. Trekking in old forest
3. Eating Lao food
5. Purchasing Lao handicrafts
6. Biking
5
What do tourists like to do in Laos?
7. Taking photos 9. Participating in festivals
10. Going to caves & waterfalls 11. Learning about local agriculture
12. Seeing birds & wildlife
8. Visiting temples & monks
6
How do tourists learn about Laos and tourism in Laos?
Newspapers/ Advertisements
InternetBooks – Tourism Guide Books
TV - Movies
Word of mouth/Friends
Radio
7
Collect information Make itineraryTransportation reservations
Make hotel/guesthouse reservationsReserve tour packagePrepare baggageFly or bus to destination
Meet the guide/ transfer to hotel
Check into hotel/guesthouse
Go on tour
1 2 3
46 5
7 8 9
How do tourists get to Lao and go on your tour?
8
Who are guides and what do they do?
9
There are 3 types of guides in Lao PDR
National Guides•Work with national tour companies
•Based in Vientiane
•Speak English or foreign language
very well
Provincial Guides•Work for provincial guide service
units/companies
•Based in Province or district
centers
•Can speak English
Village-based Guides• From village or local area
service units/companies
•Works with provincial and
national guides
•Learning English/Can use
provincial/national guide to help
translate
10
What are a village-based guide’s responsibilities?
3. Help tourists & provincial guides to understand your culture
2. Introduce tourists & provincial guides to your village & family
4. Help tourists & provincial guides to see wildlife in your local area
1. Lead a group and show the way
11
What are a village-based guide’s main responsibilities?
5. Show local plants and medicinal plants that you use and anything other things in the forest
6. Show tourists your fields and show them how you plant rice and other crops
7. Help carry heavy equipment that tourists cannot carry.
12
What are a guide’s other responsibilities?
9. Help tourists and make the tour Safe
11. Protect wildlife & environment. Help keep the forest green and full of wildlife for tourists to see.
10. Protect culture – show tourists how to behave in your village
8. Help prepare your favorite local food for tourists
13
How does a guide explain something without English?
1. Tourist asks the question in English
3. Village Guide answers in Lao2. Provincial guide
translates the question for the village guide
4. Provincial guide translates the answer for the tourist
Provincial Guide
Tourist
Village-based Guide14
Different roles of Provincial & Village Guides
Provincial Guide Village-based Guide
•Bring tourists to the village•Translate English•Give general information•Manage the itinerary•Make sure that guests are satisfied•Take care of expenses •Take care of injuries/illnesses•Coordinate activities•Market tours
•Receive tourists in the village•Translate local languages•Share local knowledge about villages, culture and nature•Show major sites to tourists•Help provincial guide manage guests•Help provincial guide with injuries/illnesses•Help the provincial guide with activities in the village or forest
15
16
Benefits & Negative Impacts of Tourism
17
Year 2003 2002 2000 1999
Type Revenue Rank Revenue Rank Revenue Rank Revenue Rank
Electricity 97.3 1 92.7 3 91.3 3 107.0 1
Tourism 87.3 2 113.4 1 113.8 1 97.3 2
Garments 87.1 3 99.9 2 100.1 2 94.4 3
Forest
Products
69.9 4 77.8 4 80.2 4 71.3 4
Minerals 46.5 5 3.9 8 4.9 7 6.0 6
Other Industries
17.1 6 19.9 6 -Œ Œ Œ Œ
Handicrafts 12.4 7 2.7 9 3.8 8 5.1 7
Agricultural
Products
11.1 8 25.6 5 5.7 6 5.0 8
Coffee 10.9 9 9.8 7 15.3 5 29.0 5
Revenues from Economic Sectors in Lao PDR 1999 Œ- 2003
18
Tourists•Contact Head Office in Vientiane
Provincial/District Representatives
Tourist revenue
•Prepare for arrival of groups•Assist in tours•Give orientation
National/Provincial Guide•Accompany tourists on trek•Translate for village guide
National Office (Vientiane)•Overall management•Marketing•Booking/Sales•Contact provincial/district office ahead of tourist arrivals
Village Guide•Give interpretive information on trek•Coordinate with village staff•Help national guide•Give tour around the village
Housekeeping•Clean guesthouse•Clean sheets/beds/rooms
Cooking•Cook for tourists•Help purchase food in the village
Hospitality•Receive tourists•Tell stories/give information•Massage
Handicraft Produce and sell handicrafts•Teach tourists how to make handicrafts
Accommodation•Help build/maintain village guesthouse
Tour Industry & Distribution of Benefits
Village Coordinator•Coordinate village services•Coordinate activities•Manage rotational system
19
Example of Distribution of RevenuesTourism Office Monitoring Fee
$5
NPA Trekking Permits $8
nVillages $15
Guide Office Opr. Expenses $7
Food Bought in Town 10
Village Guides $10
Village Accomodation $4
Provincial Guides $20
Handicraft $5
Local Transportation $15
National Tax $1
20
Potential Impacts of Tourism
#1
#2
#3
Trash & pollution:More tourists brings more trash (plastic bags, water bottles, human waste)
Lose natural beauty:Cut down the forest to build guesthouses. Build too many things for the tourists (hotels, restaurants) makes the village or town look ugly
Drugs: Tourists buy drugs in villages. Tourists get sick or die from drugs. Young people in the village start doing more drugs
21
#4
#5
#6
Discussion:For each impact listed above discuss what causes the impact Can you suggest any solutions to minimize the impact or keep it from happening?
Begging: Tourists give gifts (pens, money, candy) to children. Children beg and hassle tourists.
Safety: Tourists are injured or die because of accidents.
Loss of wildlife:Guides & villagers kill more wildlife to feed tourists.
22
What can we do to keep these negative impacts from happening?
#7 Disturb villagers: Too many tourists visit the village and disturb villagers. Tourists take photos without asking
Change in culture:Tourists do culturally inappropriate things. Young people and children start behaving like the tourists.
#8
Loss of valuable artifacts: Lao people sell old artifacts (old jewelry, religious books, costumes, paintings) to make money. Lao people can never get those things back once tourists take them back their country.
#9
23
24
Ecotourism
25
Ecotourism
Definition (byTIES)• Tourism which is responsible and supports
conservation of natural resources and the environment and supports helps local communities. (translated from the Lao)Definition ( IUCN)Tourism which holds the responsibility to protect the environment, to prevent disturbance and destruction to natural areas, educate visitors about the value of natural areas and local cultures. (translated from Lao)
26
Wildlife and habitat increases Tourist satisfaction
increases
Total number of tourists increases
Tourist revenues increase
Guides earn more income
People gain income and build awareness and interest in protecting natural resourcesÉ
Conservation and Tourism Relations
27
Comparison of Ecotourism & General Tourism
Ecotourism• Nature and cultural tourism• Tourism for learning• Small groups• Eating local foods• Local people participate• Spread of benefits to many
stakeholders
General Tourism -• Tours in main town centers• Tourism for relaxation• Large tour groups• Western style foods & hotels• Not much participation by local
people• Most of the benefits go to just a
few
28
Tourism Types
• Nature
• Culture
• Heritage
What are the important tourism types/areas in Lao PDR ?
29
30
Tourism Policy and Guide Regulations
31
32
Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
Ministry of Commerce and Tourism No.: 626 / MCT
Regulation for Tour Guide - Based on the Decree of the Prime Minister No.: 24/PM, 24 March 1999 for the establishment and action of the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. - Based on the Recommendation of the Prime Minister No.: 02/PM 14 February 1995 for the improvement of the organization and management of tourism. Tourism businesses throughout the country will provide quality service and ensure safety security and order for society, whilst conserving traditional Lao culture, ensuring that foreign tourists are provided with a full understanding of Lao PDR, and reserving the roles of tourist guides for Lao Nationals.
The Minister of Commerce and Tourism issues the Regulation.
Chapter I
General Principles Article 1. Definition A tour guide is an individual who facilitates tourists to visit natural, cultural, archeological, and historical attractions in Lao PDR in accordance with the package tour program by providing interpretation services and accurate information about the sites. Article 2. Management All tour guides are required to respect and enforce the criteria of this regulation under the management of the National Tourism Authority based on to the Prime Minister’s Decree No.: 24/PM, 24 March 1999 for the Establishment and Action of the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. Article 3. Classification of Tour Guides 3.1 Tour guides working for a travel agency may provide services nationwide. 3.2 Tour guides that work for the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO)/ Vientiane Municipal
Tourism Office (MTO)/ Special Zone Tourism Office (SZTO) may provide services within their Provincial/Municipal/Special Zone boundary only.
3.3 Tour guides working for specific tourist attractions may provide a service within the specific tourist attraction only.
Chapter II
Roles and Responsibilities of Tour Guides Article 4. Roles
4.1 To advertise and spread knowledge of the cultural traditions of Lao ethnic groups worldwide
4.2 To explain fully and accurately the policies, directions, laws and regulations and economic development of Lao PDR to tourists
4.3 To coordinate with relevant local authorities to facilitate tourists to visit several attractions, excluding those in prohibited areas, collect feedback from tourists, and compile a report for his or her boss
4.4 To manage and assist tourists in all circumstances that comply with the regulations and laws of the Lao PDR
Article 5. Responsibilities 5.1 To welcome tourists from border check points and transfer them to the accommodation 5.2 To provide services in accordance with the package tour program 5.3 To transfer tourists to border check points for departure after finishing the tour program
Tourist guides must fullfill his or her responsibilities according to the technical principles. Article 6. Behaviour Tour guides must: 6.1 Dress appropriately and be in keeping with the situation and location 6.2 Communicate and behave appropriately 6.3 Wear the identification issued by the NTA if working for travel agencies, or wear the
identification issued by the PTO/MTO/SZTO if working for the PTO/MTO/SZTO 6.4 Strictly respect the regulations and laws of the Lao PDR and respect the traditional
culture of local people 6.5 Have good interpersonal skills, behaviour and manners, be a reliable person, and be of
help to tourists visiting the Lao PDR Article 7. Illegal Practice. 7.1 Tour guides must not cause any negative impact to the national economy, culture or
reputation of Lao tourism. 7.2 Individuals not certified by the NTA and the Provincial Tourism Office are prohibited
from working as tour guides 7.3 Tour guides are prohibited from guiding tourists into prohibited areas 7.4 Foreign tour guides are prohibited from providing guide services in Lao PDR.
Chapter III Criteria for Tour Guides
Article 8: Tour Guide Criteria Tour Guides must meet the following criteria: 8.1 Have Lao citizenship 8.2 Have had residency in Lao PDR at lease 5 year period 8.3 Be over 18 years old, and either male or female
8.4 Have completed a tour guide training course from the NTA or institute recognized by the NTA and received a tour guide ID card issued by the NTA or PTO, according to the tour guide classifications
8.5 Have completed at least high school, university or other institutes specializing in fine arts, culture, history, archeology and forestry.
8.6 Have competency in speaking, reading and writing at least one foreign language with English or French as a priority.
8.7 Be in a good condition of health, and have no infectious diseases, certified by the state hospital
8.8 Have not served a prison term or be in the process of investigation by the court 8.9 Have never had political opinions contrary to government policy 8.10 Be a reliable and honest person with loyalty to the government and to government policy. Article 9. Licensing and Extension of Tour Guide ID Card 9.1 All trained guides must obtain a license and receive a tour guide ID card from the NTA
before providing tour guide services, and all guides working for Provincial, Municipal and Special Zone Tourism Offices will receive a special training course organized by the PTO, MTO, SZ TO who will inform the NTA of the list and number of trained guides to for licensing at the Provincial , Municipal and Special Zone level.
9.2 Tour guide ID cards will have a two year use period, are non transferable to any other persons without prior consent by the NTA or PTO, MTO, SZTO with risk of penalty if not carried out in accordance with the law of Lao PDR and this Regulation.
9.3 Fees must be paid to the NTA or PTO, MTO, SZTO for licensing, changing and extension of the ID card in accordance with the rules and regulation.
9.4 NTA reserves the right to issue temporary tour guide ID cards which are valid for 1 year only and can not be extended, after which time tour guides holding temporary ID cards must participate in a tour guide training course to receive a permanent ID card.
Article 10. Tour Guide Termination, Transferal, Resignation, or Loss of the Tour Guide ID Card 10.1 The Division of Tourism Management and Legal Control of the NTA or PTO, MTO,
SZTO must be informed of any termination, transferal, or resignation of tour guides from a travel agency.
10.2 In case of loss of the ID card the travel agency concerned must inform the NTA or PTO, MTO, SZTO immediately, with a letter of endorsement enabling cancellation of the lost ID card and application for new ID card.
Chapter IV
Penalties Article 11. Type of Penalties Tour guides who violate the law of Lao PDR and this regulation shall be subject to the following Penalties: 11.1 A Warning 11.2 A Fine and temporary withdrawal of tour guide ID card, or suspension from providing
tour guide services for a period of three months
11.3 Completely withdrawal of tour guide ID card and prohibition from providing tour guide services
11.4 Sued by the court for civil action or criminal charging according to the law Article 12. Warnings Tour guides will receive warnings due to the following actions: 12.1 Inappropriate behaviour or inappropriate communication with tourists benefiting from the
tour guide services 12.2 Inappropriate dressing 12.3 Insufficient fulfillment of responsibilities including leaving tourists to sightsee by
themselves without providing interpretation services and accurate information about the site
12.4 Use of an expired ID card 12.5 Failure to show tour guide ID card whilst providing tour guide services Article 13. Warnings, Fines or Temporary Withdrawal of ID Card A Tour guide will be warned, fined, and/or have their ID card withdrawn for three months due to the following actions: 13.1 The tour guide did not rectify the mistake that resulted in the warning, in which case the
fine will not exceed the amount of 50,000 Kip 13.2 The tour guide altered the ID card wording or made other changes, or rented the ID card
to another individual, in which case the fine will not exceed the amount of 100,000 Kip 13.3 The tour guide provided tour guide services for tourist clients of another company
without the agreement of his or her employers, in which case the fine will be 100 percent of the revenue earned from such services and withdrawal of the ID card for a period of three months
13.4 The tour guide persuaded tourists to buy counterfeit products, in which case the fine will not exceed the amount of 200,000 Kip and withdrawal of the ID card for a period of three months
Article 14. Permanent Withdrawal of ID Card A tour guide will have their ID card permanently withdrawn due to the following actions: 14.1 In the case of receipt of a third warning or fine 14.2 In case of encouragement of the use of prostitutes, or being involved with drugs or other
illegal activities 14.3 In case of guiding tourists to prohibited areas without obtaining permission from the
relevant authority 14.4 In case of assisting tourists to smuggle prohibited items out of the country boundaries 14.5 In case of creating any severe negative impact on the image of Lao tourism Article 15. Reports to Court and/or Criminal Charges A tour guide will be reported to the court for civil action or criminal charging in accordance with the law due to the following actions: 15.1 In case of non-compliance with prior penalties according to this regulation 15.2 In case of a severe violation of the Law of the Lao PDR
Article 16. Individuals or groups providing tour guide services without permission of the NTA will be fined 100 percent of the total amount of revenue received for the services provided from the time of discovery Article 17. Foreign tour guides providing tour guide services in the Lao PDR will be fined the amount of 2000 US Dollars Article 18. Money obtained through fines will be reallocated in the following proportions: 18.1 20 percent of the fine amount will be given as an incentive to the individual, group or
concerned authority responsible for locating the perpetrator 18.2 80 percent of the fine amount will be given to the national tourism promotion fund
Part V Implementation
Article 19. This regulation shall enter into force and be implemented in Lao PDR Article 20. The National Tourism Authority shall take lead in coordination with stakeholders and implement this regulation. Article 21. This regulation shall enter into force from the date signed by the Minister of Commerce and Tourism.
Vientiane, 7 July,1999
Vice Minister of Commerce and Tourism
Signed and stamped: Siauwsavath Savengsuksa
38
Security and Safety
39
What are a guide’s responsibilities?
• You are responsible to make sure that tourists do not break the law.
• You are responsible for the tourists’ safety and security.
Tell the tourists what they should know before the tour so that you do not have any problems or misunderstandings!
40
Helping a tourist
a tourist is not happy with the service on the tour the tourist needs information about transportation, guesthouses or tours
• if a tourists’ valuables or passport are stolen• if a tourist is threatened or accosted by another person and
does not feel safe
You should contact the police to help a tourist:
You should contact the tourism office and not the police if:
a tourist is sick or injured You should contact the hospital and not the police if:
Visas: If a tourist needs to extend his visa or has a problem with his visa he must contact the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.
41
Things that you should not allow tourists to do
Tourists should not …distribute propaganda about the government or politicsdistribute propaganda about religionpurchase or use illegal drugs including opium, marijuana, amphetaminePurchase old items/antiquesstealrefuse to pay for servicesfightingsolicit Lao women or children for sexual servicespurchase illegal wildlife products (products of endangered wildlife species)
42
Restricted AreasYou should not lead tour to restricted areas.Restricted areas include:
military postsspecial security zones such as border areas or airportsprivate property without prior authorization by the ownerareas with UXOdangerous natural areas such as the top of waterfalls, cliffs, fast rapids or dangerous cavesareas that have not yet been approved for travel by tourists
43
Preparing for a tour
life vests for boat tripsflashlights, batteries and helmets for cavesstrong shoes for trekkingYou should also bring a first aid kit with you on every trip in case there is an emergency.You should also carry a list of important phone numbers of the nearest hospital, the police station and the tourism office.
You must be sure that tourists are equipped with proper gear for a safe tour. Such gear includes the following:
Write the following telephone numbers:Police Station _______________ Hospital _________________Tourism Office ______________ Bus Station ______________
44
What you should do if a tourist breaks the law?
1. Kindly request that the tourist not do that. Usually this will solve the problem.
2. If after speaking with the tourist he will not obey your command, then you may take the following actions:
report him to the tourist policedo not try to handle the situation on your own.you may make things worse or cause more problems if you try to solve the problem by yourself.Contact the police immediately for help.
45
How to make a police report
1. first and last name of the tourist2. country of citizenship and passport number3. date of birth4. site of the incident5. date and time of the incident6. description of the incident and what the violation was7. your signature and the signature of at least one witness8. It is best to visit the police office with at least one witness
and the tourist.
You will need the following information about the tourist and the event to make a report:
If the tourist will not go to the police voluntarily, contact the police immediately for help.
46
Example problems
1. A tourist asks you to take him to a village to find a girl that he can sleep with.
2. While resting in a village, you see a villager take something from a tourist’s bag.
3. After having some alcohol, two tourists start arguing. They start fighting. The fight becomes rough and one of the tourists strikes and badly hurts the other.
4. You see three tourists traveling without a guide jump over a gate and enter a cave that is restricted by the villagers.
5. A female tourist is bathing at a river by a village. She comes back to the village guesthouse crying and says that one of the villagers grabbed her and tried to do something to her.
Think of possible solutions to the following problems. What should the guide do solve these problems?
47
More problem solving6. A villager offers to sell a barking deer antler to a
tourist.7. A tourist goes for a bath. When he comes back he
says that his money has been stolen.8. You come back from preparing the meal for the
tourists and find two tourists smoking a marijuana cigarette.
9. You are eating lunch in a villager’s house. One of the villagers is smoking opium and offers some to the tourist.
10.While giving a tour of a village, a tourist asks you to help distribute some books. You are not sure what the books are about but you think that they might be about religion.
48
Village History
Agricultural Calendar Festivals
49
Village History • How old is the village ? • Where was the village located before ? • Why was the village put in this location/why did it move ? • How many times has the village moved ? • How many families are there in the village ? • Are there any families from this village that have moved to other villages ? Are there any
families in this village that have recently joined the village (moved from another village) ?
CULTURE
Clothing • Do women and men wear traditional clothing? Everyday? On festivals only? • Has traditional clothing changed? How? • How is clothing made? Is it handmade, bought in the market or purchased from other
villages?
Agriculture and Economy • What are the major crops? Wet-season crops? Dry-season crops? • What are the major cash crops? • What kinds of fields are used? • What kind of equipment is used in agricultural practices? • Have agricultural practices changed in the past five years? How? • What kinds of products are sold in the market? • Are there any products that were previously produced but are no longer produced? Or
are there any products that are produced now which were not previously produced?
Marriage • How old are young men and women when they get married? • How do boys and girls meet before they get married? • Is there a "bride-price"? What is it? • Where does a couple live after marriage? • Can a man have more than one wife?
50
Religion • What is the religion of the village? • If the villagers believe in spirits, can you describe any of the spirits? • Who performs ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals? • Is there a traditional healer (doctor) in the village? What does he do? • What rituals are performed, by individuals, families or the village, on a regular basis (e.g.
daily, weekly, monthly)? • What is the most important festival in the village? Why is it celebrated? How is it
celebrated?
51
52
¯½-ªò-êó− ¡È¼ -¡ñ®-®÷−-¯½-À²-− ó Áì½ °½-ìò©¡½-¦ò-¡¿ ¢º¤-®É¾− Calendar of Festivals and Agriculture 1
¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
2¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
3¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
4 ¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
5¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
6¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
7 ¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
8¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
9¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
10 ¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
11¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
12¡½-¦ò-¡¿ Agriculture ®÷− -¯½-À²-−ó Festivals
53
STORIES & LEGENDS
Think about old stories or legends about your ethnic group, your village, the forest or a religious site. Below write down Legends about your ethnic group Legends about the forest or a nearby natural attraction (cave, mountain, waterfall) Legends about a nearby temple or ancient building Practice:Practice telling the story. Time how long it takes to tell the story. Try to tell the story and have a provincial guide practice translating it in English. Where would be a good place and time to tell the story.
54
CULTURAL TABOOS IN THE VILLAGE
Taboo What should you do if the tourist does this?
How can we prevent the tourists from doing this?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Leading A Group on a Trek
Objectives • Prepare tourists for a 1-
day tour/trek • Work with another guide
to guide a group throught the forest
• Communicate effectively with your group when you’re on the trail
55
56
Tips for Good Guiding
1. Smile and be friendly.
2. Make conversation.
3. Do not be shy. Be confident. Explain the things that you know.
4. It is OK to speak Lao and have a provincial guide translate for you.
5. All of the guides on the tour to speak.
6. Teach tourists some words/phrases in Lao.
7. Explain to the tourists what you are doing / where you going / times
8. Walk together with the group. Do not walk too far ahead of the group or too far behind.
9. If there is any problem or change in plans, tell the tourists.
10. Let the tourists know of anything dangerous on the trail.
11. Introduce the tourists to the villagers and allow villagers to interact with the tourists.
12. Point out whatever you see or know.
13. Ask the tourists if they have any questions after you explain something.
14. Before tourists take pictures of people, make sure that they have permission.
15. Help the tourists to understand any local customs.
57
Giving an Introduction before Taking a Trek A good introduction should include the following information:
1. An introduction of yourself and other guides on the trek 2. A brief description of where you’re going. Include only major sites and villages. Explain the other details
as you are trekking. 3. Explanation of times and distances of where you’re going. Be sure to include the time to each site or
village; when you’ll stop for lunch; and the total number of hours it takes to finish the day’s trek. 4. Important information on safety and culture. This should include the following:
• Stay together with the group • Ask if you need something or need to stop • Drink a lot of water • Put on sunscreen/wear a hat • Please, don’t litter • Please, ask before taking pictures of people • Please, respect local culture; if you have any questions, please ask
Example: Introduction for Ban Nalan Trek 1. Introduce yourself: "My name is _____ and this is ________. We are your guides." 2. Trekking Plan: "Here is our plan"
a. Where are we going? 1) Today: "Today, we are trekking from Ban Jelansuk to Ban Nalan." 2) Tonight: "Tonight we will stay in Ban Nalan." 3) Tomorrow: "Tomorrow we will trek from Ban Nalan to Ban Nalan Tai to Ban
Namkoy then to Ban Nam Leu. Then we will return to Luang Namtha City.
b. How many hours/what time 1) To Ban Nalan: "Today, the trek is about 4 to 5 hours to Ban Nalan." 2) To lunch: "We will stop after about two hours and eat lunch."
c. How far/high
1) "Today we will walk about 10km" 2) "We will gain about 500 meters"
3. Safety/Culture: "I want to tell you something before we start"
a. Please, stay together with the group b. If you want to stop or if you need anything, please ask me or Mr/Ms_____ c. Please, drink a lot of water d. Please, put on sunscreen and wear your hat e. Please, don't litter f. Please, ask before you take pictures of people g. Please, respect the local culture
4. Ban Jelansuk: "This is Ban Jelansuk."
a. Kind of village: "This is a Khmu village." b. Old/traditional: "This is an old village. It is a traditional Khmu village."
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c. How big: "This village has about 45 houses. This village is quite big." d. More later: "I will tell you later about Khmu people when we arrive at Ban Nalan."
5. Questions: "Do you have any questions?" 6. "OK. Let's get ready. We will start in about 5 minutes…Let's go."
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Exercise: Make Your Own Introduction In groups of two, write trek introductions and practice together.
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Key Concept: How to Lead a Group Leading a group effectively is one of the most important skills of guiding. If you lead the group effectively, you will reduce the risk of accidents, instill confidence in your group and be better able to provide important information to the tourists. If you do not lead the group effectively, your group will become tired, irritated, more prone to accidents and perhaps unsatisfied with their trek. When guiding with two guides, one guide must always be at the front of the group while the other guide remains at the back of the group. Front Guide: Do not walk too fast. Look frequently behind to check if the group is moving at a reasonable pace. You should always be able to see the back of the group. If you’ve walked too fast, stop, wait for the group and then continue at a slower pace. Always remain in the front. Do not let your group get ahead of you. If necessary, ask the tourist to wait or slow down if he or she gets in front. If you want to say something or point something out to the group, stop and wait for the group to catch up before you start talking. Rear Guide: Always stay with the group. Do not let the group get too far ahead of you. You should always be able to see the head of the group. If the pace is too fast, call to the guide at the front of the group and ask him or her to slow down until the pace is right. If someone needs to stop for anything, call to the guide at the front of the group to stop for a moment. If you need to point something out or talk about something, ask the front guide to stop and start talking once the whole group is together. Practice Pick two guides to lead the group. The others will be tourists. The guides receive instructions on where to lead the group and what to say:
VILLAGE ATTRACTIONS Draw a map of the village. Include rivers, roads, schools, mills, gardens, community houses, houses that produce handicrafts, religious things (spirit gate, spirit house, temple) rice storage house, village health post, and any thing else that may be of interest to tourists. 61
After making the map. Draw a route for making a village tour so that tourists can see all of the attractions in the village. Make sure that the tour goes in a circle that the tourists do not see the same thing twice.
List of Work Activities
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Select who is responsible? Work Activities in the Village
Circle one or more
Which activity is interesting to tourists?
Cooking
Planting & Harvesting
Collecting water
Collecting forest products
Fishing/boating
Feeding livestock
Religious ceremonies
Watching/feeding children
Taking livestock to pasture
¹úÀ− œº, ìɾ¦ñ©
Selling goods in the market
Produce handicrafts
Singing
Pounding rice
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PRACTICE: TOUR OF THE VILLAGE
Time: 2 hours Who: • Village Guide Trainees • Provincial Guides • Guide Trainer • Villagers Where: The village guide’s village What: • Use the map of the village and itinerary created in the classroom to lead the group
through the village. • Village Guides: practice explaining to the group each site on the map/itinerary. Be sure to
also tour your house and explain different things about your house. • Provincial Guide: practice translating for the village guide. Write down the Lao
explanation and translate into English later if necessary. Why: • To practice explaining different things in the village as outlined on the map • To determine how long the village tour should last • To practice working with a provincial guide in translating information for tourists
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Biodiversity
White-cheeked Crested Gibbon
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Bio diversity+
¦…¤ê† ó§ò¸ò©ªÈ¾¤Å 츴êñ¤²ô© Áì½ ¦ñ©
(All the plant and animal life of a particular region)
£¸¾´¹ì¾¡Í¾¨
(Variety)
§ó-¸½-−¾Å-²ñ− (Bio-diversity)
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• The NBCA is an area of land set aside to protect the biodiversity of our country.
• Biodiversity is the ‘diversity of life on this planet’ – all the different types of plants and animals that exist on this planet, the communities that they live in and how they live together.
• The plants and animals found in a wetland are different than those found in wet mountain forests or to those found in the dry flat forests in the Mekong Valley. These different environments and the life they contain are called ecosystems. When protecting biodiversity, it is important to protect whole ecosystems and not just part of them or one or two species because each ecosystem has a unique community of biodiversity found nowhere else. the Lao PDR has created 21 NBCAs to protect examples of all the different ecosystems found throughout the country.
What is biodiversity and why is it important?
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Pictures of some of the animals that are extinct: We will never see them again!
Caribbean Monk Seal
Dodo bird
Tasmanian Tiger
Passenger PigeonBlue Pike
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Mexican Grizzly
Map of Places where animals have become extinct
Discussion Can you count how many mammals have become extinct?
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Discussion Can you count how birds have become extinct? Is this more or less than the number of mammals that have become extinct?
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Map of Places where birds have become extinct
How many more animals will become extinct?
Black-face Lion Tamarin (Brazil) - 400
Assam Hare (India) - 110
Javan Rhino (Asia) – less than 60
Ethiopian Wolf (North Africa) - 500
Iberian Lynx (Spain) –less than 300
Vancouver Island Marmot (Canada) – 24
Malabar Civet –250
Forest Owlet - 25
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Plants and small animals are also in danger
Bastard Quiver Tree (South Africa) – less than 200
Corsican Snail – less than 7 hectares
Rabo-de-Raposa (Brazil) – 5000 km2
Mandrinette – 46
Biznaquita (Mexico) –less than 500
Luschan’s Salamandar(Turkey)
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Key Species
Facts about key animal species in the Lao PDR• There are at least 319 key species, in the Lao PDR, that are threatened with extinction either
regionally (i.e. in South East Asia) or globally.• Some species (13 species of large mammals, 10 birds and 2 reptiles) found in the Lao PDR are
already close to extinction, including Tiger, Banteng, Elds Deer, Douc Langur, Siamese Crocodile, Giant Ibis, Sarus Crane.
• Threats to wildlife in the Lao PDR• Hunting for consumption, recreation, trade in local markets, and to protect crops and livestock• Hunting and capture of wildlife for international trade (for medicines, meat, horn and antler
trophies, and captive display or rearing)• Clearing of forest and other habitats for agriculture and cash crop plantations, such as coffee• Commercial logging• Hydropower development
DiscussionDiscuss how the above practices threaten wildlife. Which threat do you think has the greatest impact in the Nam Ha NBCA? Why?
Definition of Key Species: A plant or animal species that is likely to become extinct in the immediate, near or medium-term future if the factors, which are causing its decline, are not managed or controlled.
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Can you name these threatened species?
¡¾−-¦ö−-ê½-−¾Can you think of other threatened species in Lao PDR? Bird species? Reptiles? Mammals? Plant species?
1. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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2.
3.
#1 Don’t sell wildlife to Lao people or tourists
#2 Don’t sell dead animals as souvenirs
What can you do to help protect wildlife?
#3 Don’t sell live animals as pets
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#4 Do not eat wildlife on tours.
#5 Do not hunt threatened animal species
What can you do to help protect wildlife?
You can hunt non-threatened species for food. But please don’t sell them!
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Waste Management
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Some say that cleanliness is the foundation of beauty. If the forest, trail or
village is littered with garbage, it will no longer appear beautiful to your tourists.
As an ecoguide you must make every effort to keep the trails and villages clean.
Anything that you take with you into the village or on the trail must be carried
out. If you can pack it in, then you can pack it out. The travelers on your trek will
expect cleanliness, and they will also be interested in helping you keep the trail
and village clean.
Key Concept: "If you can pack it in, you can pack it out"
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Don’t throw away…
Plastic bagsPlastic bottlesCandy wrappersTin cansTissue paper
Fruit pealsBanana leavesTin cansTissue paperLeftover food
You can throw away …
Here are some steps you can take to keep the trails and villages clean:
•Remind tourists, before and during the trek, to pack out all trash and to either pack out or bury toilet paper.•Pack your food and bottles in backpacks BEFORE you leave the city; leave all excess bags, bottles and boxes behind.•Wrap food in banana leaves and avoid using disposable plastic bottles or bags whenever possible.•Always carry a plastic bag and keep it easily accessible for putting trash in.•Pick up trash along the trail; ask the tourists to help you keep the trails clean.•Carry out ALL bags and wrappers from the village or rest areas-—even if it's not from your group.•Don't give bottles, bags or wrappers to children to play with.•If someone must use the forest in areas where there is no toilet, provide them with a spade so they can bury the toilet paper or make a plastic bag available and ask them to carry out their toilet paper.
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LOCAL LARGE ANIMALS
Lao Name Local Name English Name (leave blank if unknown)
Is it common or rare? Can we see it or can only see tracks?
Where can you find it? What’s the best way to see it?
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LOCAL SMALL ANIMALS
Lao Name Local Name English Name (leave blank if unknown)
Is it common or rare? Can we see it or can only see tracks?
Where can you find it? What’s the best way to see it?
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LOCAL BIRDS
Lao Name Local Name English Name (leave blank if unknown)
Is it common or rare? Where can you find it? What’s the best way to see it?
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NATURAL RESOURCE MAP
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Draw a map of surrounding forests and agricultural areas. Show where the large, old forests are and how far they are from the village/lodge. Also include any agricultural land.
LOCAL PLANTS
Lao Name Local Name English Name (leave blank if unknown)
What is it used for? Is it common or rare? Where can you find it?
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What to say about plants? Below is a guide to explaining the forest and plants. This guide is not exhaustive of the characteristics you may choose to talk about. Forest • Is it old growth or secondary growth? • What type of forest is it? Protected area? NBCA? Community forest? • What kind of animals live in the forest? • What are the common trees in the forest? • Has the forest changed over the years? How? Plants and Trees • What is it used for? - medicine, food, spice, religious ceremonies, dye,
handicrafts, furniture, building houses, roofs, brooms, other? • Is it sold in the market? Exported? • Is it common or rare? • Is it edible? Poisonous?
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Techniques for Presenting Natural History How to Improve Your Chances of Seeing Wildlife • Your chances of sighting birds and small animals are better if your group walks quietly
with their ears and eyes wide open, rather than if everyone is talking to each other and not paying any attention to the environment around them. Before entering into bird-rich areas—such as a densely forested area—you should remind the tourists to walk quietly and not talk if they wish to see wildlife.
• Your best chances of seeing and hearing wildlife is in the early morning and evening. • If your group is particularly interested in birds or in seeing squirrels, select a place in
high, cool forests that has good views and sit there for 15-30 minutes without talking. This is the best way to see wildlife and hear bird songs.
• When crossing streams, always be sure to look out for animal tracks in the soft mud or sand. The tourists will, generally, be very interested to see them and to know what species they come from. (To identify animal tracks you can refer to an animal tracks guidebook).
How to Present Information on the Trail A tourist will judge how interesting something is based partly on how you present the information. If you fail to present the information in a clear and knowledgeable manner, the tourist might find your information uninteresting. Conversely, you can make something very simple and common seem very interesting by giving a good presentation. Here are some tips for good presentation: • Always wait for your entire group to gather before you start your presentation. • Stand in a position that allows everyone to see what you are presenting and to hear your
explanation. • If what you are presenting is small or difficult for the whole group to view together, let
everyone take turns seeing it. • In the case of viewing wild animals or birds, prompt the tourists to stop talking and
making noise. Stop immediately and motion to the whole group (by touching your index finger to your lips) to stay quiet.
• Point to a bird or small animal that you see at the same time maintaining quiet in the group.
Birds • Is it common or rare? • Migratory or indigenous? • What does it eat? Where do you commonly see it? • Is it hunted? • What is its call? Small Animals • Is it poisonous?
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• Where do they live? • What do they eat? • What color is it? • Is it common or rare? Large Animals (as seen by their tracks) • Is it hunted? • Is it dangerous? • Is it common, rare or endangered? • What does it feed on? Does it have any predators? • What is the most common place to see it? What does its track look like? Insects • Does it sting? • Is it edible? • Is it an agricultural pest? • What does its nest look like? • What is the best season to see it?
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PRACTICE: SHOWING PLANTS, FORESTS & AGRICULTURE
Time: 2-4 hours Who: • Village Guide Trainees • Guide Trainer • Provincial Guides Where: A forest nearby the village where guides will take tourists What: • Find plants used by the villagers that are located along the trail. • Mark on a map where the plant is located. • Show any important trees or elements of the forest. Mark these on the map. • Show any animal tracks. Mark them on the map. • Point out any agricultural fields and practice explaining about agriculture • Village Guides: practice explaining to the group what the plant is used for, how to use it,
what the local name is and any other information. • Provincial Guide: practice translating for the village guide. Write down the Lao
explanation and translate into English later if necessary. Why: • To make an itinerary for showing plants, forests, animal tracks and agriculture along the
trail • To practice explaining what plants are used for • To practice working with a provincial guide in translating information for tourists
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Food
¥÷©-¯½-¦ö¤: • À¢í¾-Ã¥ Ⱦ º¾-¹¾−-¯½À²©Ã©- -− ñ¡-êȺ¤-êȼ -´ó£¸¾´¦ö−-Ã¥ • «¾ -−ñ¡-êȺ¤-êȼ¸ Ⱦ º¾-¹¾−-¯½À²©Ã© À¢ö¾À¥í¾®Ò ñ¡¡ò− • £¾©£½À− £¸¾´ªÉº¤¡¾− º¾-¹¾−- -¦¿-ìñ®-¡¾−-À©ó−- Ⱦ • ¡¿−ö©ì¾ -¡¾−-º¾-¹¾− ¦¿ìñ® ¡¾−À©ó− Ⱦ • £¸®£÷´¡¾− ÷¤ÁªÈ¤º¾¹¾− À²ºÃ¹É«õ¡-¹ìñ¡-º½-−¾-Ä´
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What kind of foods do tourists like? 1. Food is an important part of a tourists’ experience of local culture 2. Most people who go on community- based ecotours would like to try local foods 3. You should make an effort to provide tourists with a variety of local foods while on the tour
Feeding tourists prepackaged products such as Wai Wai and coca cola will give a bad impression to toursts about the authenticity of your tour and will also take benefits away from local people.
What kinds of food should I not give tourists? Tourists come from many backgrounds, countries, cultures and religions. Hence, they have many different tastes and restrictions related to foods based on their cultural, religious and personal characteristics.
Meat Most tourists who eat meat do not eat innards or organs and are only interested in eating the flesh. Meat must always be cooked. Typically, many tourists DO NOT like eating the following:
intestines the head of an animal chicken feet blood organs, (heart, lungs, stomach) Wildlife It is illegal to serve wildlife to tourists. Under no circumstances are you allowed to offer wildlife to tourists. You will lose your license to guide if you do so.
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MSG, Salt and Sugar Most tourists do not like having MSG in their food. MSG is thought to be bad for your health by many people. Salt and sugar are OK for most tourists. However, salt and sugar requirements are often less for tourists than for Lao. When preparing food or drinks, add small amounts of sugar and salt and allow tourists to add more if necessary. Insects Tourists do not commonly eat insects. However, many tourists may be interested in tasting an edible insect when available. Serving insects as a main dish, however, typically will not provide tourists with adequate food, as they may be hesitant to eat a lot of insects if any.
Vegetarians and Vegans A vegetarian is someone who mainly eats vegetables and does not eat meat. Typically vegetarians do not like to eat anything that has been cooked with meat, including soups that have been made with meat—even if there is no meat in it. Many instant noodles have a meat-base but don’t have any meat. Most vegetarians will not eat this.
There are many kinds of vegetarians. Some eat dairy products. Some eat eggs. Others can eat fish. Vegans are stricter than vegetarians and typically do not eat anything that comes from any kind of animal, including dairy and fish.
It is important that when someone says that they are a vegetarian or vegan that you ask the following questions:
1) Do you eat fish?
2) Do you eat eggs?
3) Do you eat fish sauce?
Food Allergies Some tourists are allergic to foods. In the pre-trip orientation you should ask if anyone has any food allergies. Food allergies can be very serious and cause a person to become very sick. A common allergy is to nuts and shellfish. For those allergic to shellfish, any kind of fish sauce will cause them to have an allergic reaction and become very sick. If a tourist tells you that he or she is allergic to a food, you must be strict in adhering to their directions for food preparation.
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How can I modify foods for vegetarians? Two good substitutes for meat are tofu and mushrooms. Good substitutes for fish sauce are white soy sauce and plain salt. By using these simple substitutions a meal can be modified to accommodate vegetarians. Vegetarians will also be interested in eating fruits, nuts, rice, vegetables, herbs and bread. If you provide a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, rice and snacks most vegetarians will be very happy and enjoy the meal.
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LOCAL FOOD DISHES THAT CAN BE MADE FOR TOURISTS
Food (Local Name & Lao Name Ingredients Required Season available
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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Key Concept: Hygiene for Food and Water Preparation Preparing and serving food and water hygienically is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that the tourists will not get sick on your trip. Preparing Food and Water • Clean your hands with soap BEFORE you start preparing the food. • Use only clean cooking utensils to prepare food. • Clean cutting board and knife with soap and water after cutting meat on it. • Clean cutting board and knife with soap and water before cutting vegetables or fruit. • Always make sure that meat is thoroughly cooked. Do not serve raw meat. • Peel raw fruit or wash with soap and water before serving. Soak salads in water with iodine for at least 30
minutes before serving. • BOIL all drinking water for 5-10 minutes before drinking. • For soups, make sure that the water has BOILED before serving. • Dispose of waste properly. Pack out all paper and plastic wrappers. • Clean your hands with soap AFTER you finish preparing the food. Serving Food and Water • Prepare two tubs of water, one for washing with soap and the other for rinsing. • Make sure EVERYBODY cleans their hands with soap and water BEFORE eating. • Serve food and water with clean dishes, utensils and glasses; clean dishes, eating utensils and glasses with
soap and water. • Dry dishes, eating utensils and glasses with a clean towel BEFORE using them. Do not serve food on wet
dishes or with wet utensils. • Clean water bottles with BOILED WATER ONLY. Do not clean with cold, unboiled water. • Place food on clean dishes, banana leaves or leave in plastic bags. • Avoid using your hands to serve food. Use clean utensils to serve food. Make sure your hands have been
washed with soap and water before handling food.
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FOOD PREPARATION & EATING
1. Everyone should have their own fork, spoon, chopsticks, glass and
dish.
2. Tourists do not like to share glasses because they can get sick from
someone else’s glass.
3. Try to use a natural mat to place food on. Avoid using a plastic mat.
Tourists think that is not nice looking.
4. Clean bowls, dishes, eating utensils with soap and water before eating
and dry them with a clean towel. Do not dry them with a dirty towel.
5. Avoid using plastic cups and plastic dishes. Use glass, ceramic or
bamboo instead.
6. Make sure that food is spread out so that everyone can easily reach it.
7. Serve food in bowls and dishes. Do not serve it in a plastic bag.
Tourists think that does not look nice.
8. Ask everyone to clean their hands with soap and water before starting.
Provide two bowls of water, one for washing and one for rinsing, and
a bar of soap.
9. If you are eating outside in the forest, provide tourists with a rock or
tree trunk to sit on. It is difficult for them to squat and eat.
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10. If you are eating inside, make sure that everyone is comfortable.
If you have small stools, give them to the tourists.
11. If you are in a village, invite people to eat together with the
tourists. Tourists do not like to eat alone. Invite both men and women
to eat with the tourists.
12. After eating, clean up. Do not throw away plastic. Dispose of
plastic by burning it or burying it with other waste.
13. Make sure that everyone has enough clean water to drink.
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Mitigating Cultural Misunderstandings
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Key Concept: How to Say "NO" There will be difficult situations that you will face as a guide. The most typical situation is one in which you will need to ask one of the tourists not to do something. Part of your job as an ecoguide is to give information to tourists about the various cultures in Lao to avoid culturally embarrassing situations. Here are some tips for mitigating cultural misunderstandings: 1. Give the tourists clear information about possible cultural differences and do's and
don'ts before you leave on your trek and before you enter villages or into culturally sensitive areas.
2. Make the tourists feel comfortable to ask you questions about culture. Always ask
them if they have any questions. 3. Tell the tourists of anything that may be culturally inappropriate immediately; don't
wait to tell them after. You can minimize embarrassment to the villagers and to the tourists if you tell them as soon as you see something that might turn into a problem.
4. Be calm and polite when you explain why something is inappropriate. Do not be
angry. Explain why it is inappropriate. Remind the tourists that we must respect the culture of the local villages.
5. If the tourists don't accept your guidance, you can state that you are afraid that the
villagers may not invite us back if we do not respect their culture. 6.
Exercise: Mitigating Cross-cultural Misunderstandings
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Below are some cross-cultural situations that you might encounter on your trek. In groups, discuss each situation
and identify: (a) the problem; (b) a possible plan of action; and (c) what could be done next time to avoid the problem. #1 A woman on your trek did not bring a sarong for bathing. She tells you that she will wear her T-shirt and shorts instead. She begins walking towards the river. #2 A couple is bathing in the river. While they are swimming, they start kissing each other. #3 After taking a bath in the river, everybody gets out to dry off. One of the guests does not have a towel and decides to change behind a bush in the nude. #4 It is evening in the village and the village chief is pouring glasses of Lao whiskey for the tourists. One of the tourists refuses the whiskey, but the villager insists that she drink the whiskey, thinking that the guest is only being shy. #5 One of the tourists likes Lao whiskey very much. He has had a lot to drink. He's very drunk and is talking very loudly. The villagers are no longer enjoying the party because your guest is too loud and drunk. #6 It is time to eat in the village chief's house. Everybody comes up stairs. One of the tourists does not take his shoes off. #7 You are eating dinner. One of the tourists is very tall and does not have enough room. So, he stretches out his legs, pointing directly at the food. #8 You are in an Akha village. The tourists are receiving massages from some local women. One of your male guests starts caressing his masseuse. She does not smile but does not say anything for fear of doing the wrong thing. #9 You stop in a village to eat lunch. Inside house where you are eating is a man who is smoking opium. One of the tourists is very interested in the opium smoker and sits next to him. He then asks to try the opium pipe.
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#10 While entering an Akha village a guest touches the spirit gate. #11 While on a short break, one of the tourists sees some people in the fields planting rice and rushes to take pictures. Without asking, he starts taking pictures. #12 You're having a discussion with the village elders. One of the tourists asks you to translate why the men in the village are so lazy and why the women do all of the work. #13 You've been talking with the village chief for an hour. The tourists keep
asking questions. The village chief hasn't asked any questions and seems quite tired of the discussion.
Visitor Health and Safety
“An gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure “ Overview This unit will give you some of the essentials of backcountry first aid. In this unit you will learn how to prevent accidents and illnesses, how to treat some common problems, and how to deal with an emergency situation. Objectives After completing this unit, you will be able to: Prevention • Prepare meals and water hygienically • Use guiding techniques effectively to prevent accidents • Explain causes and symptoms of malaria and list the most effective measures for
preventing malaria
Common Problems • Clean and dress a wound; manage burns • Treat stomach sickness, headaches and fever • Treat common bites and stings
Emergencies • Assess the condition of an injured person in an emergency situation • Treat an injured person for shock • Make a splint for a broken arm or leg • Determine whether someone needs to be evacuated and execute a successful
evacuation
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What has the following characteristics? • There is more of this substance inside the body than anything else. • It makes up the major part of a person's weight. • It is needed by your body to live. • A few days without this substance will cause a person to die If you guessed water, you’re right! Now take a large, transparent glass. Draw an outline of the human body that will fit on the glass. Tape the picture of the body to the container. What percentage of water is inside the body? If you guessed eighty percent, you’re right! Now, fill the glass with water until it reaches the correct percentage. Observe how much water is inside the body. Important facts to remember • You should drink the equivalent of 6 - 8 glasses of water each day • You should drink a quarter-liter of water every 15 to 20 minutes when you're
exercising • Drink enough water to keep your urine clear • Drinking lots of water is the immediate treatment for diarrhea and headaches (add
oral rehydration solution for severe diarrhea or headaches) • Mild dehydration can cause energy loss, loss of mental acuity, and loss of fun • Symptoms of dehydration are yellow or dark urine, dizziness or a dry mouth • Severe dehydration can cause shock Discussion Do you need to drink more or less water when you're trekking? Why? What might happen if you or the tourists forget to drink enough water?
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Preventing Accidents and Sickness On the trail • Keep the group together • Take water/rest breaks every 20 - 45 minutes • Set a walking pace that is comfortable for everyone. Don't walk too fast • Warn of any dangers on the trail • Make sure everyone drinks about 1 litre of water per hour In the Village • Give an orientation on where various places are in the village (toilet, river, sleeping
area, eating area) • Remind people to put on long clothes and mosquito repellent • Remind the tourists to carry a flashlight • Provide plenty of boiled water • Follow guidelines for preparing food and water hygienically • Remind the tourists to ask if they need something • Tell the tourists about any hazards in the village (such as barbed wire fence on a
pathway, dogs or walking around the village at night)
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Preventing Malaria Malaria is an infection that causes chills and high fever. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. The mosquito takes the malaria parasites from the blood of an infected person and gives them to the next person it bites. Symptoms of Malaria • There are chills, causing the person to shiver or shake for about 15 minutes to an
hour. This is often accompanied by a headache. • After the chills, one usually gets a very high fever (sometimes 40C or more). The
person is can become weak, flushed, and even delirious. • Then, the person sweats and the fever begins to go down. Finally, the person starts
to feel OK, but may still feel weak. • Malaria can cause fevers every 2 - 3 days but can cause fever everyday in the
beginning. • However, the frequency of fevers may not be regular. • TREAT ALL UNEXPLAINED FEVERS AS MALARIA. Prevention Mosquitoes are most prevalent during sunrise, sunset and hot, rainy seasons. Take the following precautions, especially during the high-risk times of sunrise, sunset, and during hot, rainy seasons. • Wear long shirts, pants and socks. • Apply mosquito repellant to exposed skin • Always sleep under a mosquito net. Be sure all mosquito nets are in good condition. • Treat mosquito nets with insecticide (available through the Department of Public
Health). • Clear any area that collects water, as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Treatment • IMMEDIATELY see a doctor. • DO NOT give IVs or malarial medicine to your guest. Take your guest to a doctor for
proper tests and treatment. If you feel that you have malaria, see a doctor immediately to receive proper tests and treatment. •
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Cleaning and Dressing a Wound If you don't have gloves, take the following precautions: • wash your hands with soap and water before and after cleaning the wound • avoid touching the wound or making contact with blood Steps for Managing a Wound 1. Stop bleeding • Place a piece of sterile gauze on the wound before applying pressure. • Apply pressure to the wound—unless it is a neck, head or eye wound—and keep it
elevated above the heart. • For a neck wound, pinch the opening closed. • For a head wound, cover with a thick dressing and apply light pressure. • For an eye wound, have the patient lie down and cover the wound with a bulky
dressing. • Do not tie a limb for bleeding unless pressure does not work • NEVER use dirt, sand, tobacco or any other substance to stop bleeding 2. Clean the wound • Wash your hands with soap and water BEFORE cleaning the wound • Wash the wound with clean, boiled drinking water. Wash around the skin around the
wound first, and then wash the wound. • Only use soap if the wound has a lot of dirt in it • Do not put iodine directly in the wound. Only use iodine (1%) with water (1 litre) • Make sure that the wound is totally cleaned and that no dirt is left in it • Do not cut any loose skin from the wound 3. Dress the wound • For small wounds, use a Band-Aid • For larger wounds, place a piece of clean gauze or cloth over the wound and wrap
with tape • Wrap tight enough so that the bandage won't fall off and that dirt can't get inside • Be sure the bandage is loose enough so that it does not cut off circulation • Wash your hands again with soap and water after cleaning and dressing the wound
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Stomach Sickness and Headaches A Note on Prevention Stomach sickness and headaches are often preventable by using methods covered in the previous lessons. Please review the previous lessons if you haven't already done so. Stomach Sickness (Diarrhea) Cause • Diarrhea is typically caused by bacteria, protozoa or viruses, which can be found in
uncooked food, on dirty surfaces, and in untreated water. Symptoms • Loose or watery stools • Stomach ache • Vomiting Prevention • Good hygiene; cleanliness • Proper preparation of food and water Treatment • Usually no medicine is necessary • DRINK LOTS OF WATER • Use oral rehydration solution (ORS) with water • Suggested foods to eat: soup with a little bit of rice; bananas; plain rice; papaya • Your medical kit does not have antibiotics. Get your guest to a doctor if the symptoms are
severe Headache Causes • Dehydration • Muscular tension • Vascular disorder Prevention • Drink lots of fluids • Do not overexert yourself Treatment • Rest • Drink lots of water (add ORS) • Paracetamol (1 - 2 tablets every 6 hours or until the headache is relieved) If a headache persists after rest and taking medication, please find a doctor.
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Bites and Stings Prevention Most bites and stings can be prevented by simply not bothering poisonous snakes, spiders or insects. If you encounter a dangerous snake or insect on your trek, do not disturb it. Simply let it pass by without scaring or provoking it. Avoid dogs, cats and pet monkeys. Treatment Bee Stings • Scrape out the stinger; do not pinch or pull the stinger. • Watch for an allergic reaction (see section on Allergic Reactions) Rabies: Dogs, Cats and Pet Monkeys • Rabies comes from the bite of a rabid animal, commonly rabid dogs, cats or pet
monkeys. • Rabid animals act strangely; foam at the mouth; may bite anything nearby; and die
within five to seven days. • Rabies is fatal if not treated quickly. • If someone has been bitten by an animal:
1) clean the bite well with soap and water; 2) do not close the wound, leave it open; and 3) take the person immediately to a hospital to receive anti-rabies injections
Snakebites • Death from snakebites is rare • Do not try to kill the snake; stay away from the snake; identify the species if possible • Remove anything that may restrict circulation, such as rings, if swelling occurs • Wash the bite area • Immobilize the arm or leg that has been bitten • Transport to a doctor; walk slowly • Do not use tourniquets; do not cut or suck the bitten area
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Allergic and Asthmatic Reactions Allergic reactions can be caused by bee stings or by anything eaten or inhaled by a person with an allergy to that substance. In addition to these causes of allergic reactions, asthmatic reactions can be caused by stress, fatigue and overexertion. Mild Allergic Reactions • Symptoms are itchy nose or throat, a stuffy or runny nose, swelling or a rash. • Can be treated with an antihistamine (diphenhydramine or Benadryl), 50g four times
day for adults Severe Allergic Reactions • Causes the patient to be unable to breathe • Can put a patient in shock (see section on Shock) • Can kill a person if not treated immediately • Treatment is an injection of epinephrine Asthma • This is a recurrent allergic reaction which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe • Most asthmatics carry inhalers • Some asthmatics carry epinephrine kits • Mild asthmatic reactions require that the patient rest and be calmed so that the
patient can regain regular breaths • Severe asthmatic reactions require an injection of epinephrine Medication and Pre-departure Information You do not have an epinephrine kit nor do you have an antihistamine in your medical kit. You should ask the tourists before you start your trek if they have any allergies or if anyone has asthma. You may ask anyone with such a condition to show you where they keep their medication—inhaler, epinephrine kit, or antihistamines—in case of an emergency. As you are not trained to give any of these medications, you should advise a tourist with an allergic or asthmatic condition to prepare one of the other travelers in the group to apply the medications (e.g. give an injection) in the event of an emergency.
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How to Evacuate A Patient To carry the patient out on a stretcher:
1. Make a stretcher from bamboo. Make the bamboo stretcher as rigid as possible and completely smooth on one side for the patient to lay on. Test the stretcher for its strength, rigidity, and comfort before using it with the patient.
2. Place the stretcher close next to the patient. At the command of the person holding the patient's head and neck, logroll the patient onto the stretcher, making sure not to move the spine, neck or head.
3. Carefully move the patient's neck in line, if necessary. Do not move it if there is any resistance or pain.
4. Stabilize the patient's neck. Place something such as extra clothing around the patient's neck and tape it in place, so that the patient cannot move his neck.
5. Place pads, such as clothing, under the patient's knees and the small of his back.
6. Strap the patient into the stretcher so that his body will not move during the evacuation.
7. Strap down the patient's head so that it won't move during the evacuation.
8. Carry the patient out taking extra care to not let the patient's body move. Someone should always be managing the patient's head and taking notice of the patient's condition. Take frequent breaks and do not attempt any dangerous maneuvers.
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Managing Injured Limbs Assessment If a patient seems to have injured an arm, leg, hand, wrist, foot or ankle, first assess the patient to determine if he/she can use the injured limb. Follow these steps: 1. Look at the injury and feel it for any abnormalities. 2. Ask the patient how much it hurts and whether he/she thinks it's broken. 3. If it doesn't seem too serious, ask the patient to try to move the limb. 4. If he/she can move the limb, ask the patient to try to use the limb. Be careful. Treatment - RICE If you are in the village, treat an injured limb as follows. 1. Rest - Encourage the patient to rest. Using an injured limb can make it worse. 2. Ice - Try to keep the injured area cool, perhaps by placing or soaking the injured
area in cool water or placing a wet rag on it. 3. Compress - Wrap the area tightly but not too tight or it will cut off circulation 4. Elevate - Keep the injury higher than the patient's heart.
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Making an Evacuation Plan A guest should be evacuated if they display any of the following conditions: • an injured limb; • an injured head; • an injured spine; • a pain that you do not understand and that does not go away with treatment; • a fever that will not go away with treatment • remains unconscious for any length of time • shows signs of shock (see section on Shock) • complains of chest pains When evacuating a patient, follow these steps: • Do not panic; stay calm • Make a clear plan as to how you will leave • Get as much help as possible; ask villagers and other guests to help • Take the shortest and least strenuous route • Do not split up the group; ask everyone to leave together • If a patient can walk and does not show any signs of loss of consciousness, you may
choose to let him or her walk out on their own. Walk with the patient, going slowly and watching for any changes in his ability to walk.
• Make sure that splints are made correctly. Adjust the splint if necessary. Give the patient a walking stick.
• If you must use a stretcher, follow the steps on the section "How to Evacuate a Patient with a Spinal Injury."
• Be careful. Dropping the stretcher or moving the patient on the stretcher could make the injury worse.
• Make sure that the most injured patients are evacuated first. Assess which patients need care more urgently and evacuate them according to their needs.
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