# Presentation: 471386

## Field Hygieneand Sanitation

**Field Hygiene****and Sanitation**

- Developed by the
- National Emergency Services Academy

## Field Hygiene

- Techniques for living in the field to keep your body and the environment healthy
- Campsite living
- Waste
- Sanitation
- Personal hygiene
- Environmental protection

## Human Waste

- If setting up a base camp for any duration, it is best to see if portable toilets can be brought in

- In more remote camps or while traveling on search sorties into remote areas, other means will have to be prepared for
- Cat hole latrines
- Trench latrines
- Bucket latrines
- Alternatives

## Cat Hole Latrines

- Cover the area with pine needles, twigs, etc.
- Your trowel or shovel should not touch human waste.

- Be at least 200 feet from any water source.
- Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep by 12 inches
- Organic soil will speed decomposition
- Back fill dirt when completed

## Cat Hole Latrines Continued

- It is best if toilet paper can be packed out.
- Slow to decompose and can be dug up by animals
- Usually won’t burn completely
- Get biodegradable toilet paper
- Alternatives to toilet paper?
- Moss, smooth rocks, snow, etc

- Biodegradable toilet paper

## Cat Hole Latrines Continued

- The backpack trowel is plastic and weighs only 2 ounces and can usually be bought for around $2.00

- U-dig-it trowel is made of stainless steel, folds, and weighs 6.5 ounces.  Can usually be bought for about $20.00

- Backpacking trowels are light weight and can be easily carried- much smaller and lighter than entrenching tools.

## Trench Latrine

- For larger group or longer term use

- Dirt kept for back filling
- Toilet paper can be put on a stick and covered with a can
- 200 feet from camp site or water source

- 4 foot long, 12 inch wide, 6-8 inch deep

## Pail Latrine

- For larger group or more long term use
- Waste can be completely removed
- 5 gallon buckets can be used- save the lid to cover
- Buckets can be used with lid without building covering
- Lashing deadfall limbs can be used for pail or trench latrine

## Latrines Continued

## Latrines Continued

## Latrines Continued

- Mark the latrine area with flagging tape
- Light sticks can be used at night
- Ponchos or other material can be used to provide some privacy
- Try to keep latrines downwind from camp area
- Keep 200 feet or 70 paces from camp

## Alternatives for Base Camp

- Portable toilet kit with snap on lid- about $25

- Inflate-a-potty is about $25

- Coleman portable toilet- about $75

- Bag for sanitary disposal of urine/vomit.  About $3

## Hand Washing

- Keep 200 feet away from streams and other water areas
- Use biodegradable soap if possible
- Consider sanitizing towellettes or wipes
- Clean your hands after toilet use, before eating or preparing food, etc.

## Waste Water

- Waste water can be ran off into an area where it won’t be tracked into mud
- Wash water from cooking/eating clean up should have any food particles removed before dispersing to prevent attraction of animals and insects
- Small pans of water can be dumped in a secluded spot or thrown and dispersed away from the camp area

## Trash

- Campsite cleanliness is important
- Environmental considerations
- Leave no trace camping
- Attraction of insects and pests
- Attraction of animals
- Pack out what you pack in
- Paper trash may burn if you have a campfire, but many plastics, foam, foil wrappers, etc. only melt or partially burn- pack them out

## Trash Continued

- If you have a fire, you may burn out cans, MRE food containers before putting them in the trash to reduce attraction of insects and animals.
- Dry wet trash on the side of the fire (wet paper towels, etc.) before burning
- Do not bury trash- animals will just dig it back up
- Do not dump trash or waste water into latrine holes

## Team Level Camps

- Each member should collect and carry out their own trash.
- Do not keep trash, food, or packs where small animals will be attracted
- They may destroy your equipment getting to it
- They may eat your food supplies
- Skunks may do more than try to eat your food
- Risks of bites
- Don’t leave your pack out leaning against a tree or unprotected
- The straps often absorb sweat and salt and rodents and small animals like to chew

## Bears

- In bear country- check for local procedures and warnings

- Generally, keep all food and trash at least 50 feet from the campsite for storage
- Hang in a tree at least 10 feet high from the ground, 3 feet from the branch it is hanging, and 4 feet from the tree trunk.
- Bears have been known to break car windows and break open food boxes to get to food

## Food

- Even in non-bear country- food needs to be secured to keep it safe from other animals and pests.
- Don’t leave food setting about the campsite.
- Keep food from inside your tent or shelter area unless you want to wake up with a new animal roommate.
- In non-bear country, you can still hang it in a tree, secure in a food locker, place in a vehicle, etc.

## Base Camps

- In base camps, try to arrange for trash dumpsters or regular pick up
- If not, try to keep trash bagged and stored until it can be packed out so as not to attract small animals
- Tie trash bags up in trees
- Double bag if garbage is spilled on the outside of a bag
- Follow special considerations in bear country
- Store at least 50 feet from camp area

## Base Camps Continued

- You may need to arrange for water to be brought in to facilitate drinking, washing, and to re-supply teams in the field.
- Take into account drainage so there is not mud, large puddles, etc.

## Base Camps Continued

- Be aware that the old canvas lyster bags can have problems with mold, mildew, and bacteria.

- If filling a water buffalo, inspect the tank for cleanliness.  Use a water test kit if any doubt.

## Personal Care

- Wash face, hands, and armpits at least each day
- If water is limited, use corn starch or rub briskly with dry towel to remove excess oil and perspiration
- Teeth should be cleaned daily.  If no toothbrush, use a small twig or a clean piece of cloth on your finger
- Underwear should be changed at least twice a week.
- If no water to wash, shake it out and air for at least two hours

## Personal Care Continued

- Wash feet daily and keep socks clean and dry.
- Avoid
- Wearing scented deodorants, perfume, or after-shave... it attracts insects
- Don’t bath or launder in streams, ponds, etc with soaps.  Carry water at least 200 feet from water source

## Some Alternatives

- 8" x 8" disposable washcloths premoistened with a gentle, no-rinse hydrating cleanser. About $10 per package

- Solar showers may be obtained from small single units to battery powered ranging from about $8-300.

- Privacy shelters for showers or toilets- about $40

- Disposable tooth cleaners- about $10

## Eating and Cooking

- Wash hands before eating or preparing food
- Make sure cooking and food utensils are clean
- Wash with biodegradable soap
- Rinse well- soap residue can make you ill
- Use boiling water when possible to rinse
- Cooking pots or pans with a non-stick surface makes clean up easy with far less water

## Eating and Cooking Continued

- Keep your canteens or hydration systems clean
- Follow manufacturer cleaning instructions
- Avoid drink mixtures inside canteens or hydration systems
- Keep container opening or mouth piece clean

## Eating and Cooking Continued

- In the backcountry, you may have to use alternate water sources
- Assume all water you come in contact with in the outdoors is unsafe
- Water filtration is the safest method to assure safe water
- Use filters capable of removing dangers of bacteria and Giardia

## An Important Matter...

- Personal hygiene is important to keep yourself healthy.  You can’t give full attention to your mission if you aren’t healthy
- Camp hygiene and sanitation is important for maintaining the health of everyone
- Planning and training keeps personnel healthy and focused on mission objectives.

## These presentations were made by the National Emergency Services Academy for the purpose of advancing, refreshing, or reviewing information for search and rescue training.

Products shown are for illustration purposes only.  The National Emergency Services Academy, Civil Air Patrol, or the United States Air Force does not endorse, guarantee, or recommend any specific company, service, business, or product.

Presentations are designed to be used with qualified instructors familiar with your local area.

- Products shown are for illustration purposes only.  The National Emergency Services Academy, Civil Air Patrol, or the United States Air Force does not endorse, guarantee, or recommend any specific company, service, business, or product.
- Presentations are designed to be used with qualified instructors familiar with your local area.

## QUESTIONS? 

**THINK SAFETY!**