The three essentials for safe adventure holidays: veterans of expeditions share tips on how to stay out of trouble
- Paul Niel survived being flung through a rickshaw windscreen in India and turned back from summiting Everest to avoid losing fingers and toes to frostbite
- He talks to fellow adventurers about how to prepare for trips, such as by making a checklist of essential gear and having a plan in place for all eventualities
The next instant, we were flying off the road into a small rock wall and I was making a very swift exit through the windscreen. We had started our race through India a few days earlier, 3,000 kilometres across different climatic and cultural zones. As I regained my senses and saw the blood gushing from my leg, I realised the adventure had suddenly turned serious.
Fortunately, the experience of nearly 20 expeditions around the world has taught me the importance of safety preparations for an adventure like this and, as I lay next to the broken rickshaw, our emergency plan kicked in. First: assess the severity of the situation, and provide first aid. Then find the next medical aid station.
Having been an army medic, I directed the effort, despite being in shock, before a local farmer escorted me to the nearest doctor. A while later I found myself in an Indian clinic, where my wound was dressed and I was soon back on my feet.
When it comes to preparation, it is not always clear where to start, so the easiest thing to do is to break it down.