Jim Fox's Field Checklist

ANTHROPOLOGY/LINGUISTICS FIELD CHECKLIST
(Version of 12/8/2005)

James A. Fox, Ph.D.
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Anthropological Sciences
Stanford University

The following items are suggestions only. Obviously, no one will take all or even most of them along, you'd need a big truck. What you take depends on your project, finances, transportation, and style. The double check-off column is there so you can check off what you think you should bring, then check off those items as you pack them. I greatly appreciate suggestions sent to me (jim.fox@stanford.edu) by persons who have had field experience.

Contents:

toiletries & cleaning

clothing

maps & geography

books, articles, & magazines

tools & parts

gifts

if you're bringing children

time-sensitive

__ __ visa -- some countries take months to get these done

__ __ passport -- can require a month depending on how applied for, last-minute applications are difficult

__ __ vehicle permits & insurance; can be a big hassle at the border if you have to do it there

__ __ new equipment should be bought far enough in advance to allow testing & return to dealer for repairs or changes

__ __ new software should be bought far enough in advance to allow testing & downloading of bug fixes

__ __ polio vaccination should be complete

__ __ tetanus vaccination should be current

__ __ typhoid (oral) should be current

__ __ malaria medication, often to be begun before trip to make sure that there are no side effects; check with your doctor for type of medication (mosquitos are developing resistance)

__ __ Hepatitis A vaccine, or gamma globulin, often to be begun before trip

__ __ Hepatitis B vaccine

__ __ rabies vaccine (now oral, expensive but painless -- use where dog/rodent/bat bites are a big risk -- and, don't pet dogs in the field, they're often semi-wild and not the harmless pet you're used to)

__ __ yellow fever vaccination

__ __ post trip & contact info at home; revise from field if needed

__ __ give trip & contact info at office; revise from field if needed

__ __ network account established, working, and payment through field period arranged

__ __ web email account and forwarding of other email to it arranged

documents & info to bring

__ __ passport, put info down and store separately:

name __________________________________
number ________________________________
issue place _____________________________
issue date ______________________________
expiration date __________________________

__ __ xeroxed copy of i.d. page in passport (store separately, makes replacing lost passport much easier)

__ __ tourist card or visa

__ __ extra copies of passport-size photos, for local i.d.'s (police, library cards, etc.)

__ __ health/vaccination record for each person, w blood type & serious allergies noted

__ __ airline and other tickets or vouchers

__ __ airline/travel club numbers and id's

club name	i.d.
*	*
*	*
*	*
*	*
*	*

__ __ driver's license (one that won't expire while you're in the field)

__ __ vehicle registration

__ __ vehicle rental documents

__ __ vehicle insurance documents

__ __ spare vehicle keys (keep 1 in emergency container outside vehicle)

__ __ student/faculty id card (can get you into places, and good for discounts)

__ __ business cards (often exchanged abroad)

__ __ health insurance card(s), with contact information

__ __ notarized child's permission to travel, from other parent if traveling with only one parent

__ __ family, home, work, school photos (people are interested in your background)

__ __ list of important addresses

__ __ telephone and networking dial-in information

__ __ this checklist, for improving it with new ideas, & for written info filled in

money

__ __ cash (take bills in good condition, some foreign sellers will not accept ratty bills)

__ __ foreign cash from previous trips

__ __ travelers' checks (less necessary these days with availability of ATM's)

__ __ ordinary checks (will you have to pay bills from the field, or give money to US nationals abroad?)

__ __ credit cards, along with a separate list of the account numbers and telephone numbers of the issuers

__ __ ATM card w/ international membership (Cirrus, Star, Plus, etc.)

__ __ extra ATM card in case one doesn't scan properly (store separately)

__ __ telephone card (with booklet giving local dial-in numbers)

__ __ local telephone debit card from previous trips, if it has any unused portion

__ __ other debit cards

__ __ wire transfer discount cards (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.)

handy items - keep them handy! (e.g., hand baggage)

__ __ chapstick

__ __ sunblock

__ __ pre-moistened towelettes

__ __ matches (for sealing cord, sterilizing needles, etc.) [forbidden aboard planes in hand baggage]

__ __ gum or hard candy (for plane cabin pressure changes)

__ __ decongestant (if you have a cold, this helps w plane cabin pressure changes)

packs & luggage

__ __ briefcase

__ __ computer daypack

__ __ duffel bag

__ __ backpack

__ __ locking suitcase(s) (use combination locks suitable for airline inspection, keys too easy to lose)

__ __ baggage tags (insert your business cards)

__ __ exterior straps for weak luggage

__ __ bright-colored shoelaces or other markers for easy i.d. of baggage at airports

__ __ safety wallet or belt (e.g., for chest, front pocket, waist)

health & first aid

__ __ small waterproof bag for emergency items

__ __ large waterproof bag for the rest

__ __ alcohol in soft-plastic bottle (usually available locally)

__ __ alcohol wipes

__ __ ankle wrap (for sprains)

__ __ antibacterial ointment for wounds

__ __ antibiotics for stomach flu (prescription)

__ __ antibiotics for upper respiratory infections (prescription)

__ __ anti-itch gel or cream for bites, irritating plants (Rhuligel, Caldecort, Calamine lotion)

__ __ aspirin or Tylenol

__ __ bandaids (assortment)

__ __ Betadine (iodine+soap, for disinfecting wounds) in soft plastic bottle

__ __ Betadine wipes (iodine+soap, for disinfecting wounds) more convenient than bottle but also hard to find and more expensive

__ __ book or booklet on general first aid

__ __ books on health from The Hesperian Foundation, 1919 Addison Street, Suite 304, Berkeley, CA 94704, tel: (510) 845-1447; fax: (510) 845-9141; e-mail: hesperian@igc.org; web site: www.hesperian.org. Many of these are available in Spanish, Portuguese, and French. See the web site for translations, other books, newsletters, and to order:

__ __ Where there is no doctor, revised 1992, updated 1998, ISBN: 0-942364-15-5, translations available

__ __ Helping health workers learn, updated 1995, ISBN: 0-942364-10-4, (Strategies for effective community involvement, good companion to Where there is no doctor)

__ __ Disabled village children, updated 1996, ISBN: 0-942364-06-6

__ __ Where women have no doctor, 1997, ISBN: 0-942364-25-2

__ __ A book for midwives, 1995, ISBN: 0-942364-22-8

__ __ Where there is no dentist, ISBN: 0-942364-05-2

__ __ butterfly sutures

__ __ codeine-based pain medication (prescription)

__ __ compresses (for stopping bleeding)

__ __ decongestant tablets (keep some handy on plane)

__ __ epinephrine bee-sting kit for anaphylactic shock caused by allergies to bee, wasp, insect venom (prescription; Epi-Pen is single-injection non-refrigerated, Anakit 2-injection refrigerated; a 2nd injection is nice to have available, so 1 Anakit or 2 Epi-Pens)

__ __ flagyl for giardia (usually available locally)

__ __ gauze pads (assortment, 2"-4")

__ __ gauze roll (self-adhesive is nice)

__ __ Imodium (when you have to stop the diarrhea right now)

__ __ Kanka (or other canker-sore treatment)

__ __ knee wrap (for sprains/pain)

__ __ malaria treatment (prescription, type depends on area)

__ __ moleskin (for blisters)

__ __ motion sickness tablets or patches

__ __ Motrin (for menstrual cramps)

__ __ Newskin (for hard-to-bandage wounds, especially coral-inflicted, as in snorkeling & diving accidents)

__ __ Pepto Bismol in soft-plastic bottle (for initial treatment of diarrhea; it's very mild but contains aspirin-type chemicals)

__ __ scissors (collapsible, available at camping/hiking stores)

__ __ sewing kit (needle, when sterilized, can be used for splinters)

__ __ snakebite kit

__ __ single-edged razor blade in safety holder

__ __ Sting-Eze (for pain relief of stings)

__ __ tape (cloth, for bandaging -- wide, not less than 1/2")

__ __ triangular bandage (for making sling)

__ __ tweezers (make sure they're good ones)

__ __ Tylenol tablets (aches & pains)

__ __ wart remover (Duofilm or Compound W; local people may be interested in using yours, once they find out it works, consider a second bottle)

electronic, general

__ __ battery charger that recharges the sizes you use

__ __ rechargeable batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) of brand that matches your recharger; if you can stick to one size, the charger can be smaller

__ __ plug converters (3-prong to 2-prong, 2-prong asymmetric to 2-prong symmetric, etc. -- available in travel or luggage shops)

__ __ transformers for the voltages of the equipment you have (typical need: US 110-volt to 220) - contact your equipment manufacturer

__ __ spray can of compressed air, or soft brush, for cleaning of computer, camera, recorder, etc.

computers

__ __ pda for scheduling and light data entry

__ __ notebook computer

__ __ mains power supply with transformer

__ __ internal batteries

__ __ auto battery power supply

__ __ printer

__ __ high density floppy diskettes

__ __ diskette labels

__ __ high-capacity removable storage & backup device (Zip, Superdrive, CD's, DVD's, USB drives, etc.)

__ __ cartridges or cds for same

__ __ instruction manuals for all equipment

__ __ copies of receipts for all expensive equipment (proving it's yours at customs, etc.)

__ __ cable for transferring data to another computer (e.g., via Laplink)

__ __ modem & telephone cord

__ __ instruction manuals for all equipment you take

__ __ modem-to-computer connector (serial cable or PCMCIA connector)

__ __ acoustic coupler for communicating by modem over lines w/out jacks

__ __ CAT-V cable for network connections

software

__ __ anti-virus program

__ __ anti-spyware program

__ __ word processor

__ __ spreadsheet

__ __ database

__ __ graphical database

__ __ graphics

__ __ audio editor

__ __ communications

__ __ data transfer

__ __ web browser

__ __ instruction manuals for all programs

__ __ other (add your own, e.g., astronomy, animal/plant/encyclopedic, special database)

__ __ __________________________________________________________

audio equipment

__ __ tape, mini-disc, cd, or solid-state recorder or player

__ __ external microphone (stereo if needed) -- may need battery!

__ __ headphones

__ __ second set of headphones with t-connector so others can listen in

__ __ batteries for recorder and microphone

__ __ blank tapes, md's, cd's, storage cards (rule of thumb -- 60-90 minutes' worth per day of fieldwork) -- make sure tape or disc quality matches the abilities of your recorder; for tapes, use 60-minute tapes where possible (they're thicker & resist print-through), but take some 90- and 120-minute tapes for long events when you can't change tapes easily. [remember to label all tapes & their containers as they are used, & take out write-protect tab when the each tape is complete; make back-ups & store separately]

__ __ head-cleaning materials (denatured alcohol & cotton swab sticks)

__ __ radio, if your recorder doesn't have one (consider short-wave); radio should have appropriate jacks if you plan to record programs such as local language broadcasts

__ __ portable cd player, Ipod, MP3 player

__ __ tapes, mini-discs, cds, storage cards for your own and others' entertainment

__ __ cable to connect recorder, radio, or CD player to computer or another system

photography

35 mm -- (good for high-quality images, lots of technical equipment and local support available)

__ __ camera

__ __ lenses -- normal (50mm 1.8 or 1.4), zoom, macro, telephoto (for birds, etc., you basically need something bigger than 300 mm & tripod or monopod)

__ __ filters (skylight filters on all lenses for protection; polarizing filter for telephoto; 80B lens for macro to allow use of daylight film with photofloods)

__ __ flash

__ __ batteries for camera

__ __ batteries for flash

__ __ film (slide film is best for later instructional use and digitizing; slow ISO has best resolution but is limited to well-lighted situations; fast ISO compromises resolution but has more light-gathering ability; films differ in colors they emphasize, and in type of processing; print film is good for local processing and sharing, pasting into field notes, etc.)

__ __ instant camera and film (for sharing on the spot; demand for such pictures is high, beware of cost)

digital -- good for immediate image displayed, use on computer, incorporation into database, computerized field notes, printability, etc.; resolution is now improving; if possible, go for 4-megapixel camera or better

__ __ storage media for digital camera, to be off-loaded to computer from time to time

video -- invaluable for interactional studies, conversations, events, processes, sharing with local people

__ __ video camera (digital is best, esp. w image-stabilization)

__ __ external microphone for better sound recording (may need its own battery)

__ __ cable to VCR (audio & video)

__ __ cable to tv (splitter -- for old-fashioned tv's) (for sharing work with others)

__ __ cable to tv (co-ax) (for sharing work with others)

__ __ cable to battery charger

__ __ battery charger w cable to mains

__ __ battery discharger (if your camera battery needs complete discharge before charging)

__ __ videotapes (take more if Hi-8; re-using tapes is often a problem because one doesn't know what data can be safely erased. Rule of thumb: 1 hour of tape for every 2 days; more if project is video-intensive.)

__ __ tripod (a very stable one, made for video)

for all photographic equipment

__ __ connection to computer if applicable

__ __ lens cleaning tissues or kit

__ __ can of compressed air for cleaning

__ __ instruction manuals

secretarial

__ __ data slips (if you're not computerized yet, or as backup)

__ __ boxes to hold data slips

__ __ date stamp (available locally), for stamping slips & notebook pages

__ __ notebook(s)

__ __ envelopes & stationery

__ __ ink pad & ink

__ __ rubber bands

__ __ paper clips

__ __ paper clamps, various sizes

__ __ pens

__ __ pencils (usually #2, test to make sure they write right)

__ __ pencil sharpener (cheap plastic, non-motorized)

__ __ erasers (if not on pencils)

__ __ zip-lock baggies (sandwich size, useful for lots of things)

__ __ small stapler with staples

cooking & eating

__ __ utensil kit

__ __ Sierra cup or mug

__ __ peanut butter in soft-plastic container

__ __ crackers

__ __ favorite snacks not locally available (e.g., nuts)

__ __ tea bags, fruit tea bags, Postum, etc. (coffee usually available locally)

__ __ paper or foil packages of salt, pepper, honey, ketchup, salsa, soy sauce, mustard, etc., saved from restaurants

__ __ multi-vitamins

__ __ sugar substitute if you want one

__ __ powder for making water palatable (e.g., Crystal Lite, Tang, Kool-Ade); sugarfree often not available locally

water treatment

__ __ water filter (e.g., First Need) (for daily use if you can't boil water) (bottled water is increasingly available), for protection against E. coli, dysentery, giardia, leptosporosis, hepatitis, flukes, worms, etc. -- read esp. ch. 12 ("Prevention") of Where there is no doctor (see above under first aid)

__ __ water purification kit using iodine crystals (e.g., Polar Pure) (not for daily use, only for hikes, etc.)

__ __ water bags or other large containers (for treating & storing treated water)

__ __ plastic squirt-type water bottles or canteens

light

__ __ flashlight (keep one at bedside, one small one in daypack)

__ __ batteries for same (see under electronic)

__ __ candles in safe burner (consider 100-hour candle w moveable wick)

__ __ tent candle

__ __ glow sticks (make fun gifts, too)

__ __ laser pointer, with batteries

optical

__ __ glasses in case

__ __ sunglasses in case

__ __ contact lenses w/ cleaning kit

__ __ glasses & contact lens prescriptions (for replacing if lost or damaged)

__ __ extra set of glasses or contacts

__ __ binoculars

__ __ telescope

__ __ night-vision binoculars (esp. for animal-watching)

insect problems

for body

__ __ insect repellent (waterproof, high-Deet, at least 20% for sand flies (e.g., on tropical beaches))

__ __ spray type for convenience, soft-plastic bottle type for quantity

__ __ insect repellent (mild), or skin oil like Avon's Skin-so-soft

__ __ sulphur powder (douse to protect against chiggers)

__ __ louse comb

__ __ delousing shampoo

__ __ Quell or lindane (for scabies; usually available locally)

for area

__ __ room fogger (leave room while fogger activated)

__ __ spray (if used in bedding, make sure it is safe & that you're not allergic to it)

__ __ citronella candles

__ __ room coil (smoky)

__ __ plug-in repellent (heating element activates repellent)

hiking, day use

__ __ knife (Swiss Army, etc.) or leatherman [ship in luggage compartment, not in hand baggage]

__ __ water bottle (local plastic bottled water can substitute)

__ __ boots (as light as possible but taking load into consideration)

__ __ hiking socks

sleeping

__ __ hammock w ropes, all in a bag

__ __ sleeping bag

__ __ mosquito netting especially made for hammock

__ __ mosquito netting especially made for sleeping bag or bed

__ __ pillow w pillowcase(s)

__ __ light blanket

__ __ sandals

__ __ flashlight w batteries

__ __ earplugs (also for swimming)

toiletries & cleaning

__ __ soap, in a plastic case

__ __ shampoo, tightly closed, wrapped in plastic bag to prevent leaks during travel

__ __ deodorant, tightly closed, wrapped in plastic bag to prevent leaks during travel

__ __ razor

__ __ blades

__ __ shaving cream or gel, wrapped in plastic bag to prevent leaks during travel

__ __ toothbrush

__ __ toothpaste, wrapped in plastic bag to prevent leaks during travel

__ __ dental floss

__ __ nailclipper (finger- & toe-)

__ __ Kleenex or other tissue

__ __ toilet paper (available locally)

__ __ female hygiene items: tampons, pads, etc. (find out what's available locally)

__ __ hangers

__ __ hand mirror

__ __ sink & bathtub stoppers

__ __ towels

__ __ washcloths, esp. for bucket baths

__ __ detergent in tight case (available locally, but maybe not case)

__ __ net bag or laundry bag

__ __ plastic wash basin (usually obtainable locally)

__ __ plastic bucket (usually obtainable locally

__ __ paper towels for vehicle

__ __ glass cleaner for vehicle, wrapped in

__ __ plastic bag to prevent leaks during travel

clothing

for males

__ __ sport jacket

__ __ dressy shirt

__ __ tie

__ __ belt

__ __ slacks to go with jacket

__ __ dress socks

__ __ dress shoes

for females

__ __ skirts

__ __ stockings

__ __ dress shoes/heels

__ __ jewelry (obviously fake is less risky (thieves, assault))

__ __ bathing cap

for males & females

__ __ travel iron

__ __ sun/rain hat

__ __ cap that stays on tight in wind

__ __ umbrella

__ __ poncho

__ __ field shirts

__ __ field pants

__ __ field shorts

__ __ field socks

__ __ field shoes

__ __ sandals

__ __ shower/bath sandals

__ __ underwear

__ __ bathrobe, esp. if you're going to be living with a family

__ __ pajamas

__ __ swimsuit

__ __ goggles

__ __ snorkel

__ __ fins

__ __ ear plugs

__ __ ________________________________________________

maps & geography

__ __ local area topographic maps (some now available on CD-ROM, GPS players, web)

__ __ local area road maps

__ __ aerial photos

__ __ rangefinder

__ __ compass (Silva)

__ __ global positioning (GPS) receiver with manual (can be bundled with pda)

books, articles, & magazines

__ __ field methods guides

__ __ bird, animal, & plant guides (e.g., The golden book of insects, etc.)

__ __ anatomical chart

__ __ health books (see under health & first aid, above)

__ __ travel guides (see esp. Sierra Club guides)

__ __ language materials (dictionary, phrase book, verb guide, conversation lessons)

__ __ latest issue of Astronomy or Sky & Telescope (for current moon & planet positions)

__ __ star wheel (for long-term star-positions; some have planetary positions for a limited range of years)

__ __ other magazines for stimulation of discussion

__ __ entertainment reading

tools & parts

__ __ "Leatherman" (like Swiss Army knife but w pliers & screwdrivers, plus 1 knife blade) [ship in luggage compartment, not in hand baggage]

__ __ net shopping bag (Spa "sabucán", available locally)

__ __ machete (usually available locally) [ship in luggage compartment, not in hand baggage]

__ __ bee veil & gloves (working with beekeepers?)

__ __ vehicle emergency kit (flares, reflectors)

__ __ vehicle tool kit

__ __ vehicle tire kit (spare tire (2 if oddball size), jack, lug wrench)

__ __ vehicle spare parts (unless easily findable in the field: fuses, carburetor kit, fuel pump kit, water pump kit, distributor, spark plugs, bulbs)

gifts

__ __ photo prints, framed or in albums (e.g., from previous trips)

__ __ photo frames or albums

__ __ jacks sets

__ __ glow sticks (but teach proper disposal)

__ __ glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, etc.

__ __ crayons

__ __ colored pens or pencils

__ __ tablets or coloring books for coloring

__ __ pens, pencils

__ __ plastic pencil sharpeners

__ __ reading glasses, various magnifications (cheap in discount stores); these can also help your informants improve literacy & see stuff you're showing them

__ __ children's books, illustrated & in English (like Richard Scary, What do people do all day)

__ __ various small things in the catalog of The Oriental Trading Co., Omaha, NB

__ __ magazines

__ __ _______________________________________________________________

if you're bringing children

__ __ child's permission to travel, from other parent if traveling with only one parent

__ __ combination sunscreen & repellent (save trouble by applying both in one)

__ __ squirt-type water bottles (make treated water convenient)

__ __ sick bags (airline-type bags), for vehicle sickness

__ __ water wings, or other inflatable swimming safety device

__ __ pre-moistened towelettes or wipes

__ __ disposable diapers (often available locally) [but consider disposal issues]

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