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The First Time We Doubled Up Fishing for Bluefin Tuna

Imagine yourself waking up at 3 a.m on a gorgeous early summer morning. You’ve got your rods, reels, and equipment loaded up in your truck. You’ve got your cooler packed with a few afternoon snacks and some drinks. You’re heart is pounding with the thoughts of being out on the ocean, free from the everyday stress of work and reality, and the hopes that this could be the day you hook the trophy fish, your giant. You drive down to the dock, load up all the equipment into the boat, and prepare for the long journey out into the open ocean. With a full tank of gas and your adrenaline pumping you fix your sights on the horizon and open up the throttle. Just as the sun is coming up over the horizon, you remember that following the sun leads to the land where giants roam the sea just below your feet. After an hour of steaming out into the open ocean your heart is pounding out of your chest with the first sighting of whales. You remember hearing that whales are the number one sign that bluefin tuna must be nearby. You see the fleet of boats, already with their spread set and working the waters around the whales in hopes of hooking the big one. You now know that this is the spot. This is where you are going make your stand, set your spread, and wait for that sweet sound. The sound that keeps you going back, day-after-day, the sound of the drag screeching at a thousand miles per hour, it’s the sound of all of your patience and persistence culminating in a moment that is yours. It’s you versus the fish.

Now that I’ve painted a picture in your head of what you can expect when you go bluefin tuna fishing, I’m now going to tell you a story of one of my own personal early bluefin fishing experiences. It was early July and the setting was exactly as I described it. It was one of those days, weather wise, that you dream about. The sun was out, the water was calm, and the fleet was out in our regular fishing spot.

My brother and I had set our spread behind the boat. We had been working a small pod of whales for almost two hours without even a bite or a sighting of tuna. Starting to get a little frustrated, we decided to move away from the fleet to a rather large circle of birds that were sitting on top of the water about a quarter mile away from the whales and the rest of the fleet. I was driving the boat and my brother was watching the spread as we approached the birds. All of a sudden I had a strange feeling that we were going to hook up as we went through the birds. I turned to my brother and excitedly said, “Get ready, we’re about to get some action!”

Skeptical of my gut feeling, he reluctantly stood up and got ready for the bite. Just as he was standing up, the left rod started screaming. A fish! My feeling was right, we had hooked into a nice fish. Little did I know what was to come next. Just as I had set my brother up in the fighting belt and he had started reeling the fish in, the right rod started buzzing. We Must Have raised a good amount of fish because the third and final spreader bar was nearly taken down too! Knowing that two fish was more than enough, I quickly reeled in the center bar to avoid hooking a third fish and being in way over our head.

At this time we were very novice bluefin tuna fisherman and we figured that my brother could reel in the one fish, we could land it, and then he could put on the fighting belt and bring in the other fish. Big mistake! Not only is this a bad idea because we had a limited crew but also because of how tiring reeling in back-to-back fish can be. Also, leaving the fish hooked and dragging it for several miles can be very detrimental to the fish’s health. We hadn’t realized just how big the fish that my brother was fighting was so we just kept the boat on idle speed and let the second fish stay hooked, hundreds of feet below the surface. After about fifteen minutes, we finally caught our first glimpse of the fish that my brother had been struggling to bring in. As soon as the fish saw the boat, he took off back down to the bottom of the ocean and the battle started all over again. After nearly forty-five grueling minutes, both fish and fisherman were completely exhausted and I brought out the gaff for the final step in landing the fish. I gaffed the fish in the back shoulder, and we pulled the fish over the edge of the boat. Seeing that this was clearly the biggest fish we had ever caught, we pulled out the tape measure to see just how big our fish was. Fifty-six inches! A true monster in the eyes of a couple of novice fisherman.

In pretty much a state of shock and pure euphoria we had almost forgot that we had been towing another fish for the better part of six miles. Pure luck, no doubt, is the only explanation for the second fish staying on the line. Seeing that my brother was completely exhausted from reeling in his fish, I put on the fighting belt and started reeling in the second fish. As I was reeling in the fish, my brother began packing the first fish in ice and placed it in our pelagic fish body bag. After about fifteen minutes we brought the second fish up, gaffed it, and got it in the boat. The reason that the second fish came up so fast was because it had already been tired out from being dragged for so long! With two fish in the boat and an exhausted “crew” we decided that we had had enough fishing for one day. With a full fish locker and a very satisfied feeling, we steamed back to the dock and closed the book on the day we doubled up for the first time.

About the Author

Visit http://www.bluefinbasics.com for a complete database of bluefin tuna fishing knowledge aimed to educate fisherman on tips, tricks, and proper techniques used when fishing for bluefin tuna. We also feature a frequently updated fishing report, gallery, and much more bluefin related information.

When Fish Make you Sick

To eat or not to eat-this was Arebonto’s dilemma. He knew the risk, but he was hungry. And the barbecued fish smelled delicious. His appetite won out. But the rapid onset of nausea and abdominal pain followed by vomiting and diarrhea made him wish he had not eaten the fish.

By the time friends rushed Arebonto to the hospital on his small Pacific island, he was semiconscious and dehydrated and had chest pains, dangerously low blood pressure, and a slow pulse. Over the next few days, in addition to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, he experienced numbness in his legs, painful urination, and a strange sensory reversal whereby cold felt hot and hot felt cold. After eight days his pulse rate stabilized, but numbness and fatigue persisted for weeks.

Arebonto had fallen victim to potent, naturally occurring toxins that contaminate otherwise normally edible tropical reef fish. The condition, known as ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans and in the Caribbean. In these areas, locally caught fish are a major food source.

CFP is not a new disease. In fact, it was the bane of European maritime explorers. Likewise, many a present-day vacationer has suffered from its debilitating effects. Understandably, the disease imposes constraints on the fishing and tourist industries of many island nations. Moreover, international trade in live and frozen reef fish has extended the geographic range of CFP beyond the Tropics to places where it is not readily recognized.

What causes reef fish to become toxic? Can toxic fish be identified? Consider what decades of research has revealed.

Identifying the Culprit

A microorganism called a dinoflagellate is generally regarded as the source of the toxins that cause CFP. The microbe lives on dead coral and attaches itself to algas. Small fish graze on the algas and ingest the toxins-called ciguatoxins-produced by the dinoflagellates. These fish are eaten by larger fish, which, in turn, are eaten by still others, concentrating the toxins higher up the food chain. The fish, however, seem unaffected.

Ciguatoxins are among the most lethal biological substances known. Fortunately, “only a few species of fish are incriminated in CFP,” says an Australian government paper. Ciguatoxins do not alter the appearance, smell, or taste of fish and cannot be destroyed by cooking, drying, salting, smoking, or marinating. In Arebonto’s case, nothing about the fish he ate warned him of the hidden menace until he experienced severe gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

At present there is no laboratory test for CFP in humans. Diagnosis is based on the appearance of a variety of symptoms, which usually appear within hours after eating and may be confirmed by testing leftover fish for toxins. If you suspect CFP, it is wise to seek medical help. Although there is no known antidote, treatment may relieve the symptoms, which usually subside within a few days. However, CFP can be debilitating, and early treatment may prevent its affects from becoming chronic.

The severity of the symptoms varies, depending on a number of factors. These include the toxicity of the fish, the amount and the parts of the fish eaten, the level of the ciguatoxins already in the patient, and the geographic origin of the fish, for toxins seem to differ slightly from region to region. Instead of developing an immunity to these toxins, humans become more sensitive, making repeat attacks even worse! Consuming alcohol also exacerbates symptoms. To avoid a relapse, the patient should refrain from eating fish for three to six months after a bout with CFP, explains a publication on this widespread disease.

Severe cases may last for weeks or months and sometimes even for years, resulting in symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. In rare cases, death occurs from shock, respiratory or heart failure, or dehydration. Such cases, though, are usually associated with the consumption of tissue where toxins are more concentrated, such as the head or the internal organs of the fish.

An Enduring Enigma

Virtually all fish that inhabit coral reefs, and their predators, are potentially ciguatoxic. But herein lies an enigma. Fish from one reef area may be highly toxic, but the same species caught nearby may be safe. A frequently implicated species in one part of the world may be considered safe in another. Since the release of toxins by dinoflagellates is erratic, the occurrence of toxic fish is unpredictable.

Adding to the problem, a cost-effective, reliable test for toxic fish remains elusive. The best that health authorities can do at present is to inform the public of what fish to avoid and where these might be caught-information that is based on reported cases of CFP. Highly suspect species include barracuda, grouper, kingfish, red bass, rockfish, and snapper, as well as moray eel. Older, larger fish usually present a higher risk. In some places it is illegal to sell potentially unsafe fish. However, pelagic fish that do not prey on reef fish and fish from temperate waters are generally considered to be safe.

The incidence of CFP is predicted to rise. In part, this is because dead coral creates an environment favorable to the proliferation of toxic dinoflagellates, and reports indicate that a growing number of coral reefs are either sick or dying.

Despite the unpredictable nature of CFP, you can minimize the risk by observing some basic principles. Arebonto almost died because he did not follow these guidelines. He ate the head and flesh of a local rockfish known to pose a high risk. He had eaten that species before without ill effects and, like many other islanders, became overconfident.

Does the foregoing mean that you should avoid seafood, perhaps while enjoying a tropical vacation? Not at all. The prudent course is to observe the warnings and to choose your fish wisely.

Common Symptoms

* Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps

* Chills, sweating, dizziness, headaches, itching

* Numbness or tingling around the mouth, hands, or feet

* Sensory reversal-cold feels hot, hot feels cold

* Pain in muscles and joints and when urinating

* Slow pulse rate, low blood pressure, fatigue

Minimize the Risk

* Ask the local fisheries department or fishing experts about the fish to avoid and the areas where toxic fish are caught.

* Avoid eating fish from areas where ciguatera was recently reported.

* Avoid eating older, larger reef fish.

* Do not eat the head or the liver or other internal organs.

* As soon as you catch a reef fish, gut it properly.

As a result of misdiagnoses and underreporting, the true worldwide incidence of CFP is not known. Various authorities estimate that some 50,000 cases occur worldwide annually.

About the Author

KennymackNews
World News
News You Can Use From Around The World
http://newsroundtheworld.blogspot.com/

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Laser Cutting Machine Fundamentals

To reach an understanding of laser cutting machine fundamentals one must understand that there are 3 different types of laser cutting machine: Flying Optics, Moving Material and Hybrid machines. These are determined by the way in which the laser is moved over the construction material. The axes of motion are named the X axis and Y axis. If the cutting head may be lowered or raised, it is typically named as the Z-axis.

The main characteristic of flying-optic laser cutting devices is the fixed work surface on which materials are placed. The laser is able to move over the work piece in both directions. This allows flying-optic cutters to keep the piece in one position during cutting, and usually do not require the material to be down. The moving mass is constant, so cutting is not affected by the changing size and thickness of the material, as would be the case with a moving material laser. These machines are the quicker of the 3 types and have faster acceleration and peak velocities than other systems.

Moving material lasers use a movable table beneath a fixed laser for moving the material below it. This type of machine ensures that the material is kept at a constant distance from the laser and gives a central point from which cutting slag or ejecta can be removed. The advantage is that it requires fewer optics. The only problem is that the weight of the material being cut is fixed by the what the table can handle. Because of the machine having to be continually reloaded and because of their weight limitations types of machine are often the least efficient.

Hybrid laser cutting machines are a combination of flying head and stationary head laser cutting machines. The table moves on one axis and the cutting head moves along another. The advantage of hybrid laser cutters over flying optics laser cutters is a more sustained beam delivery path and a simpler beam delivery system. This also makes hybrid machines more energy efficient than flying optics lasers.

Pulsed lasers are great for piercing jobs and for cutting holes. They also offer benefits when it comes to working with lightweight materials because they do not provide a steady beam which may heat and ultimately melt the work piece. Most industrial laser cutter offer the ability to both pulse or cut using a continuous wave – usually referred to as CW cutting.

For increased quality when cutting a hole, double pulse lasers can be used. These are generally employed to improve the material removal rate. This strategy is very simple; the first pulse removes material from the surface of the work piece and the other prevents the ejecta or “slag” from adhering to the area around the hole. Yet again, the benefit is a cleaner cut.

The outstanding quality of materials cut by laser greatly exceed those that have been cut by conventional means. This is because the beam leaves a clean cut surface. Using any type of laser cutter will result in more accurate pieces within a shorter amount of time than with typical cutting methods.

About the Author

Marc Anderes is the Vice President of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with advanced laser technologies,  servicing aerospace, scientific, transportation, medical and machinery needs.

Three Most Dangerous Landing Mistakes Pilots Make and How to Prevent Them

Over-shoot, under-shoot, loss of directional control, wing tip strikes … are all symptoms of mistakes made BEFORE the pilot touches down. Mistakes that are easily prevented – but not necessarily in a way you might think.

I landed at the Nuttree Airport in a Cessna 172 in 1968. I felt pretty smug. It was a very smooth landing, one of those landings that you could hear but not feel. Then a wind gust picked me up and I landed a second time on a parallel taxiway. The pilot taxiing in the opposite direction was kind enough (or perhaps stunned enough or frightened enough) to hold short of a turn-off so I could move over to the parking apron. I couldn’t look him in the eye as we went past. I mumbled some excuses to my passengers that I didn’t believe. I had just made the three biggest (and most common) mistakes a pilot can make when landing.

Determined to never let that happen again, I spend a great deal of time in the intervening 40 years thinking about how to prevent these mistakes. The NTSB says that a full 45% of the weather-related accidents are caused by crosswinds and gusts. I believe it. It is time to introduce some little known techniques that help prevent these accidents. But first, we should look at their causes.

Landing too fast is caused by flying the approach too fast or trying to force the airplane to land before it is ready. The solution is to fly a consistent approach at the same airspeed, picking a safe projected glide point (or PGP), and controlling the PGP until you land. But hold the airplane a foot or so off the runway until the airplane nose has rotated up to the landing attitude. Hold that attitude until the airplane lands. That way you will land at the right speed.

Failing to cross control in a crosswind leads to ground loops, being blown off the side of the runway (the MOST common cause of accidents in the United States), wing tip damage, or, in my case, flying over the infield and landing on a taxiway. To put it simply, cross controlling is using the rudder to keep the long axis of the airplane parallel to the long axis of the runway and using the ailerons to keep the airplane positioned over the runway. This guarantees that you will keep the airplane moving straight down the runway after the wheels touch.

Quit flying the plane before the plane is through flying is one of the most dangerous mistakes that a pilot could make. Its cause is lack of concentration. Its solution is good flying habits.

I was lucky at the Nuttree. If the crosswind had been coming from the opposite side, I could have been blown into a canal. Remember that just because the main gear is on the ground does not mean that there is no ‘fly’ left in the airplane. Also remember that if you keep the airplane just above the runway until it absolutely, positively will not fly any more, then it will an unusually strong gust to put it in the air again.

It is easy to be lulled into the bad habits that lead to these mistakes. When the wind is gentle and the runway is long, all will be forgiven. So the question is: how to keep these bad habits from developing?

Let me introduce two exercises that have helped my students far more than I could have ever imagined. They are the ‘very slow Dutch roll’ and the ‘controlled projected glide’ point. Neither is difficult or dangerous. Both simplify and strengthen any pilot’s ability to land.

The very slow Dutch roll is a simple exercise done at a safe altitude. It teaches two very important skills. First the pilot learns to continuously move the stick and rudders to control the airplane as conditions change, and second, the pilot learns how to cross control the airplane in the most extreme circumstances.

Here is how to do a very slow Dutch roll. Pick a point on the horizon and hold it steady as you change the angle of bank, airspeed and flap configuration. Maintain constant altitude. Change your bank very slowly. Continue to increase the angle of bank until either the aileron or the rudder is pushed to its limit. This is the angle of bank for the maximum crosswind that the airplane can land in. The cross controlled airplane slowly accelerates to the side for a minute or two. During this time, the pilot must move the flight controls continuously – an unanticipated benefit of this exercise when I thought it up.

Let me tell you about the projected glide point or PGP. When you approach the runway your eye will naturally gravitate toward a point on the runway that does not move in your field of vision. The phenomenon is much like when you are on a collision course with another airplane: it stays still in your field of vision but just gets bigger. Well, there is always a point on the ground where exactly the same thing happens. This is the point that you would glide to if you never made that last little flair to land. This is an extremely important concept that can save you many hours of landing practice. I never heard another flight instructor talk about it but I am sure that many pilots use this technique.

You can control the PGP with power and drag while keeping the airspeed constant. To move the PGP closer to you, reduce the engine’s power or increase the airplanes drag – usually with flaps. To move the PGP away from you, increase the engine’s power or decrease the airplane’s drag.

Put the two concepts together to make consistent, safe landings. Once established on final, use the center line of the runway as your reference point for very slow Dutch rolls. Use the ailerons to position the airplane on the extended centerline, the rudder to keep the long axis of the airplane parallel to that extended centerline. Move the PGP to the same place every time. I recommend the runway threshold. Consciously continue cross controlling until the airplane slows to a taxi.

These two simple techniques will get you to the same place on the runway every time in a landing configuration that compensates for crosswinds or gusts until the airplane is going so slow that you can taxi to parking.

About the Author

Doug Daniel is a flight instructor who has written numerous articles. He is the author of an amazing new ebook that will rocket your aviation career forward by teaching you how to master the most important flying techniques in 50% of the usual time or your money back.
Flying Secrets

Sage Z-Axis 4 thru 8 Wt. 2 pc. Fly Rods $460.00

Sage Z-Axis 490-4 9′-0″ 4 pc. 4 wt. Fly Rod $450.00

Sage Z-Axis Spey Rods 9 and 10 Wt. 4 pc. Fly Rods $710.00

Sage Z-Axis Spey Rods 9 and 10 Wt. 4 pc. Fly Rods $710.00

Sage Z-Axis Spey Rods 5 thru 8 Wt. 4 pc. Fly Rods $650.00

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Fly Mobiles: Smart Communications Better Fly Than Crawl

 

Some few decades ago, communicating with others was a tedious task. The situation often used to go worse when it came to distance communications. Telegrams, postal mails and couriers used to involve a huge time margin but since there were no options available, the users of these services had no options but to oblige their requirements with these inflexible and somehow-retarded modes of services. But, the invention of landline phones followed by the introduction of mobile phones did changed the communication scenario for the betterment.

In the present day scenario, the mobile phones have seen an unprecedented growth when it comes to smart and advanced communication solutions. One can easily communicate with the rest of the world, for varied reasons, even while on the move. Now, that we have learnt some few lessons about the mobile phones, let us move a step forward to some of the amazing mobile phones to hit the present day market.

If you are looking for a style-oriented mobile phone that is known for its seamless delivery of mobile solutions then the latest FLY mobile phones such as the FLY V90, FLY V60, FLY M90 and FLY SL100 are good options for you. These cheap FLY mobile phones are known to be second to none when it comes to deliverance of smart and advanced mobile solutions.

The FLY V90 is the best bet out of the lot for every modern user since it comes with world class built-in functionality and highly useful embedded features. This mobile phone is a ultra-stylish and power-packed mobile phone that has something for every modern day mobile user. It has an exceptionally vibrant 1.8-inch TFT display with over 65,000 colours to ensure easy navigation and better viewing prospects.

This elegant and affordable mobile phone from FLY has a VGA camera for high-class image captures and a smart and performance-oriented MP3 player for the music enthusiasts. It has dimensions of 106.0 x 45.0 x 10.5 mm and offers phone memory expansion with the help of a microSD memory card. The FM radio and video player of the FLY V90 are quite brilliant delivering seamless audio and video solutions without compromising on the quality factor.

So, if you are searching for a perfect communication companion to meet your needs then these FLY mobile phones will prove to be handy. You just need to prioritise your mobile needs and find the one best suited for them.

Related Product:

HCL Laptop

About the Author

The author is a specialist in retail writing. Her writing skills reflect the outcome of years of exposure to the retail industry. Working with retail giants as a consultant has enriched her knowledge base and her passion for writing got fire. She can be read regularly on RetailsDirect.com. For details please visit: www.retailsdirect.com
Mobile Phones

10 tips for flying with a baby or young child

Even the most placid child can get frustrated by the confined space of an aircraft; they just have too much energy and need to run around. Add to that the excitement of going on holiday plus the tiredness of getting up at an unsociable hour to get to the airport and you have a potential nightmare journey on your hands.

If you’re flying with a baby, young child or both this holiday, careful preparations can help to organise them and relieve the boredom of a long flight.

1. For toddlers and younger children pack chewy sweets to help them cope with the ear pain of take-off and landing. Give very young children, or a baby, a dummy to suck on or bottle of liquid to sip to help alleviate the pain.
2. Use a back pack for your cabin baggage, this frees up your hands and makes dealing with children at the airport much easier.
3. Let your young child have their own hand luggage – it makes them feel ‘grown up’ and makes them a self-contained traveller. There are some great bags and cases available for small children, particularly the pull along trunk type which children can drag along behind them, or sit on and ride when they get tired.
4. For toddlers, pack a capped beaker for drinks on the plane – it helps to avoid spills and can be slotted alongside them on their seat for easy access.
5. Always carry a change of clothes for your baby or child in you cabin baggage.
6. If travelling with a baby or small toddler, take a collapsible pushchair / stroller right up to the boarding gate to save you carrying them. It can then be placed in the hold and returned to you as you leave the aircraft.
7. Pack some toys to keep your child amused on the plane: a cuddly toy, paper or colouring book and colouring pencils will help. Pencils are a safer and less messy alternative to felt tips which can mark the fabric of the plane. Even small toddlers, who are unable to write, appreciate the ability to scribble. An electronic game, portable DVD player or the like will help keep them amused. If you plan to take anything powered by batteries, make sure the batteries are fully charged before travel.
8. If your child is not yet toilet trained, or you’re travelling with a baby, pack plenty of nappies and wet wipes for the journey and make sure you change your baby prior to the flight.
9. Try to book a window seat for a young child, as children like watching what’s going on outside and will often be quite happy to just gaze out the window in mid flight.
10. Keep children entertained when you get to the airport by taking them to the children’s area for a run about to let off steam before being cooped up on their flight. With any luck it will tire them out and they may sleep for part of the journey. Alternatively, take them to watch the planes land and takeoff – these things are fascinating for children and will keep them occupied for some time.

Although flying with young children or a baby can seem daunting, being prepared, planning ahead, and following the tips above should help make the journey less stressful leaving you relaxed to enjoy your holiday.

About the Author

Paula Garrett is a frequent traveller and contributor to Help-Me-Park.co.uk, the Gatwick meet and greet parking company offering valet parking at Gatwick.

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If you travel for long enough you will catch something. While the majority of travellers overseas will suffer nothing more than traveller’s diarrhoea an unlucky few may end up with something more serious and it’s not just the tropics that has a monopoly on exotic diseases. These 5 diseases are not as common as the serious threats of malaria and dengue fever, but are out there.

5. African Eye Worm

Caused by the bite of the large Chrysops fly, the first sign you are infected is the uneasy sight of the small worm crawling across the surface of your eye. The infection is usually caused by swimming in shaded African lakes/pools where this beasty fly likes to bite. Cure is via painful injections. Try to avoid swimming anywhere in Africa!

4. Weils Disease (or rat catcher’s yellows)

Thinking of doing some canoeing or kayaking in an English river? Maybe think twice. Many otherwise picturesque English rivers can be spoiled by large amounts of rat urine. This means unsuspecting swimmers (perhaps falling out of a kayak) are susceptible to Weil’s disease, caused by the bacteria in the rat’s business. The consequences can be kidney failure and life on dialysis, even from just a short time in the water.

3. Lassa Fever

A disease endemic to West Africa Lassa fever is thought to cause 5,000 deaths per year in the region. While in 80% of infections symptoms can be minor, the other 20% can suffer horrendous fever, swelling and seizures. Infection is thought to be through contact with a rat calling the sub-Saharan region of Africa home. Treatment is through serious drugs and there is no guarantee of cure. Many travellers fear this disease when heading to West Africa, yet malaria and other nasties are usually more of a risk.

2. Leishmaniasis

Found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe, this is a parasitic disease that you can catch via the bite of an infected sand fly. This disease is fairly common and effects up to 2 million people per year. The disease causes skin lesions that can end up looking like the top of a volcano (Google image search if you dare). The disease is not fatal and even without treatment will eventually go away, though it can leave horrid scars. The best prevention is not to get bitten by sandflies.

1. Changas

Another parasitic disease, this nasty is contracted via the bite of the blood sucking triatomine bug. This bug is most commonly found living in huts made from mud, adobe, straw or palm thatch in poverty stricken areas of Latin America. At night the bugs emerge to gorge on people’s faces then the bug proceeds to defecate on the poor person in question. It’s the ingestion of the bug’s faeces that causes the infection (through breaks in the skin or the eyes). Millions in Latin America are affected by this disease. The disease can end up chronic lifelong affliction and is often life threatening. Travellers can try and avoid sleeping in the type of dwelling mentioned and always try to prevent bites via netting and serious bug spray.

Bites from mossies of course cause other serious and common infections like malaria and dengue fever which all travellers to infected areas should be prepared for. These diseases are less common but have the potential to effect more than your holiday.

By Brook Mitchell. Editor and creator of http://aussietraveladvice.com the free and independent resource for Aussies going overseas. I love to write, travel, surf. Love life, my mates and family.

Eye Protection for Farmers

Eyes are precious and even a moment of carelessness can cost your time, money and even your eyesight. Eye protection is even more important if you are working on a farm. A number of hazards exist on the farm such as exposure to chemicals, dust, flying objects, farm equipment etc. To avoid these hazards, farmers should use protection equipment for the eyes, know about first aid for eye injuries, and above all they should be careful.

Eye Injury Causes: Eye injuries on the farm can be caused due to several reasons. One of the common hazards is spray cans, which contain chemicals that can harm your eyes. To avoid chemical eye injury, one should use the spray cans carefully. The spray cans should be kept in a safe place away from kids.

Certain farm equipment which chop or grind, can expel soil, rocks, foreign objects into the air. These flying particles can get into the eye and cause injury to the bystander or the operator. Hence, farmers can avoid such incidents by shielding the farming equipment and keeping people away from the path of the equipment.

While all farmers need to keep their farm equipment running by servicing them regularly, most of the farmers tend to get injured while servicing the equipment rather than operating. Simple hand tools can strike the eyes and cause severe eye injury. To prevent this, farmers should use appropriate tools while servicing and they should wear eye protection

Eye Protection: Protective eyewear is the primary way in which you can prevent eye injuries and proper selection of it is vital. While selecting the protective eyewear, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable to wear. The eyewear should be durable, easy to clean and disinfect, and it should not obstruct your vision or movements. You can use the following eyewear for protection:

• Industrial rated glasses/sunglasses that fit over ordinary glasses: You can wear these to protect your eyes from flying particles, objects etc. You can also add side shields for added protection
• Splash goggles: Splash goggles protect your eyes from agricultural chemicals. Welding goggles are recommended when you are working with sparks and lights
• Full face shields: Full face shields are comfortable and offer good protection for the eyes. For farmers who wear glasses, sunglasses etc. full face shields are important. The face shields should be fire-resistant and should meet the industrial quality

Farmers should avoid using contact lenses while working with chemicals. The protective eyewear should be cleaned, disinfected and kept in dust-proof containers. If it has any repairs, it should immediately rectify. Avoid using the eyewear if it outdated.

First Aid for Eyes: First aid for eyes depends upon the type of injury to the eye:

• Particles, specks: They are usually washed out by natural tears. Avoid rubbing. If they remain, consult a physician
• Blows: If the eye is injured due to a blow, apply cool compresses for 15 minutes and repeat this once in an hour to minimize the swelling and pain. If there is eye discoloration, puncture, or cuts etc. apply a bandage and consult a physician immediately
• Chemicals: If your eyes are exposed to chemicals, irrigate them with fresh water continuously for 15 minutes. Consult a physician and take the label or the container of the chemical along with you

Eyes should not be neglected as farming involves many hazards to the eye. Eyes can be protected the best if farmers use protective eyewear and be careful while doing daily activities. This will enable farmers to carry out their work safely and effectively.

About the Author

To find out more about Amitabh’s work and read articles written by him visit his Eyecare Tips website

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