Understandably, guests travelling to remote areas such as the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve will think carefully about their exposure to potential emergency situations and our ability to deal with any possible medical eventuality. To this end, since December 2008, Tanda Tula Safari Camp has had access to 24 hour on-site medical assistance in the form of the Wilderness Emergency Medical Programme provided by Africa Safe-T.
The 24 hour on-site medical assistance provided by Africa Safe-T means that a fully trained medical team is available for the treatment of any medical complaint, from minor illnesses and ailments to serious medical conditions and possible injuries. This service is available to all of our guests, as well as the staff at Tanda Tula, and has proven to be a valuable asset in assuring the peace of mind of all who visit us.
The focus of the programme is to provide the availability of a trained medical team, as well as the necessary training of our own staff, so that most medical events can be handled on-site rather than trying to evacuate a patient in a medical emergency. Of course, evacuation always remains an option in a serious incident but, as Dr Simon King, founder and head of Africa Safe-T, explains: “We want to perform medical services on site. Studies show that it’s not the time that it takes to get to a hospital that affects outcomes in wilderness situations, what matters is the time in between. Operating in wilderness environments is very different to working in cities and Africa Safe-T paramedics are intensely trained in skills such as fieldcraft, 4×4 use, dangerous game behaviour and wilderness medical techniques to enable them to work effectively and safely in these environments.”
To ensure that the best possible care is given, not only is there a highly qualified paramedic on standby to attend to any possible emergency situation on-site, but Africa Safe-T also runs special training courses for all of the Tanda Tula rangers, trackers and frontline staff. These training courses place a special emphasis on the exceptional first aid needs that are created in a bush situation, merging international best practice in wilderness medicine with the unique needs of the African bush.
To find out more about Africa Safe-T and their products and services go to www.africasafe-t.com