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There are first aid supplies at Forfar, but each group should bring its own first aid kit. Information regarding the contents of this kit should be discussed with a local physician. Supplies to treat minor encounters with stinging coral, jellyfish, and sea urchins should be included. Be sure the kit does not include drugs considered illegal for international transport. If possible, your first aid kit should be in a reasonably watertight, non-corrosive container so it can be carried aboard a boat. There is not a hospital on Andros. In the event of an accident or illness, we have access to a medical doctor at a local clinic. Because legal permission may be required before emergency treatment can be administered, it is imperative each guest complete the medical release form and that these forms are readily available in the unlikely event of an accident. Forfar interns will ask to look over the forms on Saturday, and return them to you. You should carry these forms at all times throughout your stay, including on field trips. Forfar has created emergency plans in the event of accident or illness. Emergency plans are on hand at the Forfar Field Station. COMMON MEDICAL PROBLEMS: In most cases, medical problems result from situations that can be prevented. The staff will help you identify things to avoid. Please bring medical problems to a staff member’s attention immediately. Sunburn and sun poisoning can be serious. The sun in the Bahamas is more intense than in most regions of the States, precautions are necessary. Be sure to wear protective clothing and sun-block, even when in the water. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are also serious. Be sure to drink plenty of water and rest in the shade periodically. Poisonwood is an abundant woody plant on Andros. It has an oil-based toxin similar to poison ivy and it causes a similar, itchy rash. Reactions can be severe and may affect people normally unaffected by poison ivy. Wash the affected area as soon as possible with soap and water. Then cleanse with Tecnu Cleanser or another commercially available product for the removal of toxic oils. Treat the rash with Calamine Lotion, or other ointments used to treat poison ivy. Local remedies include the use of black earth, and Gumbo Limbo, also known as Tourist Tree. Insects such as sand fleas, mosquitoes, and doctor flies can make you miserable. Use regular strength bug spray or lotion. Reapply after showering or swimming. Mosquito nets are a nice luxury at night, especially during the summer. Cuts and open wounds may be slow to heal with continuous exposure to salt water. Consider every cut important since infections occur easily. If a wound is not healing, remain out of the water for a day or two and monitor it carefully. Wear footwear at all times since urchins, limestone, glass, metal, and other sharp objects may be in the sand. Fire Coral inflicts a sting that may last for 30 minutes. Isopropyl alcohol or vinegar will help neutralize the stinging cells. Sea urchins, especially Diadema, have brittle spines, which can stick in your skin. The spines are very difficult to remove and the area will remain painful until they dissolve. This can take several months. Handle sea urchins only under direct supervision of a staff member. Sharks, barracuda, and rays have never caused a problem for Forfar guests. If you encounter any of them, remain calm. If a shark shows more than casual interest, notify those around you and swim slowly and calmly back to the boat or shore with your buddy. Avoid stepping on rays when walking in shallow water by shuffling your feet. Bats inhabit the caves at certain times of the year. If you find any, just observe. Do not handle the bats and do not shine your flashlight directly at them. Centipedes and scorpions are rare, but large ones can bite and the injected toxin can cause excruciating pain. As long as these creatures are left alone, they will not be a problem. Snakes are found on Andros but are harmless to humans.
IFS POLICIES We want everyone visiting MAIC to enjoy themselves during their visit. We believe the following policies are not restrictive and are consistent with standards expected and enforced by our guests, schools, colleges and universities. It is the responsibility of group leaders to inform students of these policies and see they are enforced. Guests in a Foreign Land Forfar guests and American staff are visitors in a foreign country. IFS expects an awareness of, and respect for, the Bahamian people and culture. Drug Policy IFS has a zero tolerance policy for non-prescription drugs. If a student is found in possession of, or under the influence of any drug illegal in the United States, that student will be sent home immediately at his or her own expense. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs must be carried in their original labeled container. This is a requirement of Bahamian and U.S. Customs as well. Prescription drugs may be taken only by the person listed on the label, and only in the manner directed by the label. IFS will not be responsible for, nor can we predict, random searches from the Bahamian or U.S. Customs officers. Also, for those on prescription drugs, please check with the doctor to see if there are interactions to worry about with extended sunlight exposure. Conservation Policies Well over one thousand visitors come to the Bahamas with IFS every year. One of the special aspects of the IFS program is the amount of hands-on field experience the students have in both the marine and terrestrial environments. These environments are very sensitive, requiring careful examination with the utmost restraint. In order to maintain the most pristine environment possible, the IFS attitude toward conservation is very strict. Below is a list of general guidelines. Please keep in mind if students are unable to follow these guidelines, their privileges may be limited or revoked. In The Water • DO NOT TOUCH!!! Privileges may be revoked if groups are causing extreme damage to the coral and marine animals. Coral and many other marine animals are extremely sensitive and can die if even lightly felt. In addition, there are several defensive animals that can inflict very painful stings! Limited contact is allowed only under the direct supervision of staff. • We do have an aquarium for use at Forfar, but please be conservative with what you catch. All animals must be released in the habitat of collection at the end of your stay. • Make sure all belongings are stowed securely on the boat. Visitors must be especially careful with trash. • If you need to use the restroom, the ocean is okay, but please do not use the blue holes as a toilet, they are an integral part of a delicate system. • Some areas cannot endure 40 pairs of fins. Please be cooperative with the staff if they limit groups or pull aside snorkelers for a snorkel review. Fishing Policy • Fishing must be pre-approved, by the Forfar Director, prior to your group’s arrival. • Fishing is allowed with minimum impact to the environment or Bahamian economy. • Any person fishing while staying at Forfar Field Station must comply with all Bahamian fishing regulations. • Guests may not spear fish. • Fishing cannot be conducted as a means of feeding guests staying at Forfar. • Fishing is not allowed in areas that are used for diving or snorkeling, or areas used by Bahamian Guides. • There will be no fishing and diving/snorkeling occurring at the same time and place. On Land • Feel free to collect shells on the beaches, but make sure there is nothing living on or inside of them. • Please do not buy shells from locals. We do not want to encourage a shell trade. Purchased shells are subject to confiscation by the Forfar interns. • We do have a terrarium for use at Forfar, but please be conservative with what you catch. All animals must be released in the habitat of collection at the end of your stay. • If you need to use the restroom, the woods are okay, but please do not use trails or privately owned property as a toilet. And remember to watch out for poisonwood! • Pack out what you pack in. Everything from napkins to apple cores to toilet paper needs to be put in the trash bag and returned for proper disposal. Hermit crabs can be fed with some leftovers, but restraint is needed. • Some areas cannot be subject to 40 pairs of feet. Please be cooperative with the staff if they limit groups or pull aside walkers for a walking review. • Please do not order turtle in restaurants or purchase turtle shells. Many Sea Turtles species are endangered and there is a possibility that what is available has been caught illegally. Please Note: Photographers and long-time visitors must adhere to these guidelines, regardless of past policies. The only exception IFS makes in regards to collection is for researchers with collection permits.
TERMS & CONDITIONS • International Field Studies will not be responsible for loss, or costs, incurred as a result of a guests’ failure to supply proper identification for entry or participation requirements. It is the guests’ responsibility to comply with all customs and immigration laws. • Groups are not guaranteed exclusive use of the field station. International Field Studies reserves the right to fill to capacity. • Neither International Field Studies, nor the charter air services commissioned by International Field Studies, will be responsible for, nor issue refunds or credits for, the following: early departure by customers’ choice; damages or costs resulting from postponed flight times, including, but not limited to, missed transportation connections; nor for errors herein. Flight departure and arrival times cannot be guaranteed, as weather conditions may affect operation conditions. Maximum emphasis will be on safety. • International Field Studies shall not, at any time or in any way, be responsible for loss, injury, or damage arising from an Act of God, act of government or de facto authority, war, civil unrest, any kind of hostilities, strikes, thefts, sickness, quarantine, immigration or customs regulations, hijacking, breakdown, delay, cancellations, error, omissions, or any other cause beyond its control. • International Field Studies reserves the right, without notice, to make changes or cancellations, in part or in whole, as circumstances dictate. In the event of such a cancellation, all unused trip fees will be refunded. Furthermore, International Field Studies will not be responsible for, and will not issue refunds or credits for snorkeling trips or SCUBA dives cancelled as a result of inclement weather and/or Acts of God. • International Field Studies accepts no liability for the consequences of the personal activities of any guest who is deemed personally responsible for the decisions concerning conditions of health, safety, or fitness for diving or any other activities, or any other circumstance beyond its control. • The International Field Studies field study experience exposes participants to certain dangers and risks, including, but not limited to, hazards of accidents or illness in remote places without medical facilities, the forces of nature, travel by airplane, automobile, bus, train, boat, or other consequences and actions, lawful and unlawful, of third persons. Each participant assumes all risks of this field study experience, including all activities whether or not engaged in field study activities, and shall hold International Field Studies, its employees, staff, directors, and trustees, harmless from any and all damages, injuries, claims, and demands whatsoever which arise from, or in connection with, the field-study experience and related activities. • The following inserts accompanying this manual are considered official documents, as though they are permanently bound into and are a part of this handbook: Group Leader Agreement, Group Data Sheet, Group Roster, Medical Consent, Release, and Assumption of Risk, Medical History, RSTC Liability Release for Supervision of Certified Divers/Snorkelers, and Andros Price Schedule.
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