November, 2009

Barack Obama launches key Mid-East mission

US President Barack Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia at the start of a Middle East tour aimed at increasing US engagement with the Islamic world.

Mr Obama will spend a few hours in Riyadh before heading for Cairo, where he will make a keynote speech.

He says he wants to open dialogue with Muslims, overcome misapprehensions, and revive Middle East peace negotiations.

Apart from a stop-over in Iraq in April, it is Mr Obama’s first time in the region since becoming president.

Barack Obama’s goal is to improve perceptions of the US and to push for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, says BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Jonathan Marcus.

In the process he wants to make other US strategic goals in the region - like stability in Iraq and the containment of Iran - easier to achieve.

To do this he needs Arab partners and this trip takes in two key nations - Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The Saudis are sponsors of the only comprehensive peace plan for relations between the Arab world and Israel.

Egypt is intimately involved with the Palestinian problem, acting as an intermediary between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Obama needs both countries on board if he is to breathe life into the largely moribund peace negotiations, our correspondent says.

‘Action not words’

In Saudi Arabia, Mr Obama will hold talks with King Abdullah in Riyadh. As well as regional issues, Mr Obama said he would raise the issue of oil prices with the Saudi ruler.

Ahead of the visit, al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia issued an internet statement vowing to target President Obama’s convoy in Riyadh, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reports.

On Thursday, Mr Obama is to deliver a speech at Cairo University which he hopes will set a new tone in US-Arab relations.

After Cairo, Mr Obama will travel on to Europe for D-Day commemorations.

The tour itinerary does not include Israel but shortly before departing for Saudi Arabia, Mr Obama had a meeting with Israel’s defence minister, Ehud Barak, in Washington.

The president is reported to have used the meeting to reiterate that the US intends to be tough with Israel on the question of settlement building in the West Bank.

Israel is resisting calls to freeze building activity in all settlements, but Palestinian leaders have said there can be no progress towards peace without a halt to such construction.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of his visit, Mr Obama said he believed the US was “going to be able to get serious negotiations back on track” between Israel and the Palestinians.

He said his visit offered the US and the Islamic world the chance “to listen to each other a little bit more”.

Source

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Rajasthan Tour- Must Visit Destination on India Tours

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Rajasthan the royal state of India is globally famous tourists' destination of India. It is the perfect destination for delightful tours and travels experience. The state is famous for its timeless monuments, rich culture, tradition, fairs & festivals, warm hospitality and for exotic landscapes. It is the perfect place for travelers, vacationers, nature lovers and wildlife lovers. Come to this wonderful state of India and register memorable moments to cherish throughout your lifetime.

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Rajasthan situated on the northwestern part of India, the state has many exquisite designed palaces, forts, monuments and temples. These eye catching timeless monuments grabs the attentions of tourists from every part of the world. It will be a worth experience to explore these eye catching wealth of Rajasthan on your trip to India.

These alluring monuments and palaces, forts and temples are hidden in the some of the popular cities of Rajasthan. Some of the most popular cities that are highly visited by tourists are Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Udaipur, etc. These cities of Rajasthan are visited by tourists all the year round. They all are teemed with mesmerizing attractions which never fails to lure visitors coming to visit Rajasthan.

There are innumerable eye catching tourists' attractions in these cities. But some of the must visit places are Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, City Fort Palace, Jagmandir Palace, Chambal Gardens, Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer Havelis, Gadisisar Sagar Lake, Pichola Lake, Sajjan Garh Palace, Jag Mandir, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Kirni Mata Temple, etc. These alluring forts, magnificent palaces, blossoming gardens and picturesque are must to visit on Rajasthan tour.

Rajasthan is also famous for its exotic wildlife, flora and fauna. The state is heaven for a wild spectrum of wildlife. There are many wildlife parks and sanctuaries in Rajasthan which are the home of many endangered wildlife species. Bhensrod Garh Wildlife Sanctuary, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Fort Sanctuary, Mount Abu Sanctuary, etc are some of the popular wildlife parks and sanctuaries of Rajasthan. Among all these Sariska, Ranthambore and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) are the popular one that are most visited by tourists. Sariska and Ranthambore are known for the conservation of the might cat family Tigers. It is the popular wildlife sanctuary where visitors can see tigers and other species of wildlife in their natural home. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is famous for the conservation of varied species of birds. Tourists can spot colourful birds, water birds and migratory birds in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Beside all these tourists attractions Rajasthan is also famous for warm hospitality that is offered by hotels of Rajasthan. There are wide ranges of Hotels in Rajasthan and visitors can accommodate themselves according to their choice and Budget. These hotels offer warm hospitality, great services and all the essential amenities to make their guests a memorable stay in the hotels. These hotels also help to arrange car rental in Rajasthan from reputed car Rental Company for the city tour. Traveling in car will help tourists to enjoy visiting all the destinations on time and in a delightful way. It also gives you the opportunity to explore the nearby attractions.

Well, so if you want to make a trip to Rajasthan book your tour package from the travel agent. There are several tours packages in the market such as Rajasthan tour packages, wildlife tour packages, Golden triangle tour packages, Royal Rajasthan tour package, etc. Book any tour package of your choice and enjoy a memorable trip to Royal state of India, Rajasthan.

Michael Smith is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for Rajasthan India tours and Rajasthan tours. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.grandtoursindia.com/

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Auction Item Ideas: A Potato Cannon

Those “can’t-be-bought-in-stores” items will always sell well in a benefit auction. A potato cannon … lovingly crafted by the school’s maintenance department … in an all-boys Catholic school … is a perfect example of a unique item.

What is a potato cannon?

True to its name, the cannon is designed to propel a potato hundreds of yards. It is typically constructed of ABS pipe and uses a can of hairspray as the propellant to launch the potato. For obvious reasons, this is probably not the best gift to give a boy who lives in a city. Damage would no doubt ensue.

(After looking at the cannon, one auction guest – a grown man – told me, “Oh, I could have some fun with this.”)

If you have the means to build a cannon, be sure to market it appropriately. Here’s what this school did to ensure the cannon sold like a rocket.

1. In the two weeks leading up to the auction, the cannon was proudly on display in the maintenance department. Every boy in the school had an opportunity to visit the department at least once to see the cannon. The auction chair confided that many boys visited twice.

Pre-marketing the item builds anticipation for the auction and gives the boys a chance to talk about the cannon at home. Given that the students won’t be attending the auction themselves – and wouldn’t have the money to bid, even if they did attend – the school needed to provide some time for the end-user (the boys) to talk about the item at home and convince the buyers (the parents).

2. The maintenance team named the cannon and painted the name (which I’ve forgotten, but was something like “The Terminator” or “The Eliminator”) on the side of the cannon. That marketing move elevated the cannon’s reputation.

3. Prior to the auction, a “test” was conducted by the maintenance crew to ensure their workmanship was free from flaws. They launched a potato which flew over the gymnasium, beyond the lacrosse field, and into the baseball diamond. That test launch was a clever marketing tactic. It stirred up talk around the school!

4. In the maintenance department and at the auction, the cannon was marketed with a bag of ammunition (i.e. potatoes) and an instruction manual, written in both English and Spanish. The cannon was sold as a complete “batteries included” item.

The cannon drew enormous interest from the crowd during the live auction. The bidding was so spirited, the maintenance department agreed to build a second cannon for the back-up bidder. This allowed the school to earn twice the proceeds.

If your event has an unusual item, consider how you might market it to ensure it gets the attention it deserves.

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India Wildlife Tour- Explore the Rich and Diverse Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

India rich and diverse wildlife are preserved in the different sanctuaries across the country. Over 350 species of mammals of mammals and over 1225 species of birds are found in India. Some of them are at the verge of getting extinct and some of them are migratory birds. Apart from the splendid tourism options, wildlife tourism of India is also making a flow of International tourists from all over the world. People who love wildlife and are adventure enthusiast from heart can come to India to fulfill their dream and give it a shape. Wildlife destinations of India offer golden opportunity for tourists to explore and see the wonder of jungle in their natural home. The wildlife in India does wonder to strengthen the popularity of India among international tourists and wildlife lovers. Every year thousands and hundred of tourists come for India wildlife holidays to explore the rich flora and fauna that is incomparable to other country. From majestic tigers and beautiful peacocks to giant elephants and hundreds of reptiles, all of these find a secure home in the wildlife sanctuaries in India. Almost all the major states of India have preserved the rich flora and fauna that display the richness of diverse wildlife of India.In India there are around 5oo wildlife sanctuaries and they are well known for preserving different species of animals. These Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India are Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park and Kaziranga National Park are some of the most popular wildlife visited by tourists from all over the world. Visitors can go for a jungle safari in these forests and catch the view of the varied species of wild animals and birds in their natural home. Infact the jungle safari provides tourists to see the wilderness and the animals in their natural home. Watching the animals in their natural home will be the delightful event of your wildlife tour to India.

Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India are:

Ranthambore National Park: It is one of the famous national parks in the northern India. It is the especially well known for the large population of tiger found in this sanctuary. But in recent years the population of tigers in this forest is decreasing due to poaching and other factors. Visitors can enjoy the jungle safari inside the forest and watch the majestic tigers taking guard of its kingdom. You can often cite tigers at the lakes drinking water or waiting for the prey to come. While going for a safari you will often see the tiger making its way from a spitting distance that will shiver your body and will provide you the thrilling experience of wildlife trip to India.

Kaziranga National Park: It is the world heritage site situated in the Assam. It is the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. The national park is famous for the one horned rhinoceros as well as varied wildlife species. Some other found wildlife species in the forest are tigers, panthers, bears etc. One can also view varied species of astonishing birds among which you will also be able to see some migratory birds.

Sundarban National Park: it is the national park of India declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO. It is densely covered with mangrove forest and is globally famous for conserving royal Bengal Tigers.

Keoladeo National Park: It is famous for conserving the varied species of birds and other wildlife species. Is the also popularly known as “Ornithologist Paradise” as it provides opportunity to study the nature and habitat of the birds to the researchers. During the winter season one can also view the migratory birds coming from abroad to spend their winter vacation in Keoladeo National Park.

Beside these there are many other fascinating wildlife sanctuaries in India. One can watch various astonishing species of birds, wildlife animals, creatures, elephants, tigers and so on during their India wildlife tours. While going for a safari in the forest it is advisable to take proper guide to help you to explore the forest in a delightful way. Not all the forests are opened for safari, but among the few never miss the chance to enjoy the thrilling jeep safari or the elephant safari inside the wildlife sanctuaries of India.

Michael Smith is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for Indian Wildlife Tour and Wildlife tours in India. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.indianculturalwildlifetours.com/

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From the Exotic Asia weblog

Breast Cancer Treatment

The main of breast cancer treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, with possible adjuvant hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. At closest, the treatment recommendations after surgery (adjuvant therapy) follow a pattern. Depending on clinical criteria (age, model of cancer, size, metastasis) patients are roughly divided to high risk and low risk cases which issue different rules for therapy. Treatment possibilities include Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Analysis, and Immune Therapy.

Information on Breast Cancer Treatments:

Surgery

Depending on the staging and specimen of the tumor, just a lumpectomy (removal of the lump only) may be all that is necessary or removal of larger amounts of breast combination may be necessary. Surgical removal of the entire breast is called mastectomy. Standard practice requires that the surgeon must prove that the tissue removed in the operation has margins clear of cancer, indicating that the cancer has been completely excised. If the conglomeration removed does not have clear margins, then further operations to remove more tissue may be necessary. This may sometimes require removal of part of the pectoralis foremost muscle which is the main muscle of the anterior chest wall.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be disposed both before and after surgery. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is used to shrink the size of a tumor prior to surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy is assumption after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. Cancer cells usually grow more rapidly than normal cells, and chemotherapy drugs toil against them by interfering with their growth and reproduction.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy consists of the use of enormous powered X-rays or gamma rays (XRT) that precisely target the area that is being treated. These X-rays or gamma rays are very operative in destroying the cancer cells that might recur where the tumor was removed. These X-rays are delivered by a machine called a linear Accelerator or LINAC. Alternatively, the use of implanted radioactive catheters, compare favourably with to those used in prostate cancer treatment, is being evaluated. The use of radiation therapy for breast cancer is usually stated after surgery has been performed and is an essential component of breast conserving therapy. The purpose of radiation is to reduce the predictability that the cancer will recur.

Hormonal Treatment

Hormonal therapy is a very effective treatment against boob cancer that is hormone-receptor-positive. Find out if you should be tested to see if you need other therapies, as well. Sometimes called “anti-estrogen remedial programme,” hormonal therapy blocks the ability of the hormone estrogen to turn on and stimulate the growth of core cancer cells. Tamoxifen is the drug most commonly used to block estrogen receptors on cancer cells, in come into force, denying them the estrogen they need to grow and multiply.

Herceptin

Herceptin is the first humanized antibody approved for the treatment of HER2-express metastatic breast cancer. Herceptin is designed to target and block the function of HER2 protein overexpression. Probing has shown that HER2-positive breast cancer is a more aggressive disease with a greater likelihood of recurrence, a poorer projection, and a decreased chance of survival compared with HER2-negative breast cancer.

Comprehensive Breast Centers

Women with breast cancer increasingly are choosing to be treated at comprehensive breast centers that offer up-to-steady old-fashioned treatments and the specialists that can provide them. Learn more information on breast cancer and the latest technologies.

Link to this post: http://breasthealth.blogbuddy.ca/2009/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment/

Dual Monitor Background Wallpaper: Lake

Dual Monitor Background Wallpaper 2800 x 900 – Lake (click to download full size wallpaper):

Dual Monitor Background Wallpaper

Dual Monitor Background Wallpaper

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Sun Safety: How to Beat the Burn this Holiday

A

lot of European beach-goers have heard of Croatia.? Warm water, beautiful beaches and great food

make Croatia

one of the “Dream holiday” destinations.?

A little bit of precaution can help that perfect beach holiday from

turning into a sunburned and uncomfortable week of redness.
WorldNomads.com’s roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD talks through sun safety, skin protection and burn treatment you’ll need for a painless trip to sunny Croatia.


Sunburns

The

main cause of sunburns is not the sun itself but the ultraviolet energy.? Just to complicate matters, there are three

main types of ultraviolet (UV) energy, designated A, B and C.? Erythema is what your skin gets after a day

in the sun, which is redness, some slight swelling and pain.? Doses of UV energy and its effect on the skin

are measured in units called minimal erythema doses (MED).? This MED represents the smallest does of UV

energy to cause that “sunburn” appearance.?

Beachgoers are typically exposed to 15 MEDs of UVB and 4-5 MEDs of

UVA.? Almost all of UVC is absorbed by

the Earth’s atmosphere.? There is

increasing evidence that shows both UVA and UVB can be harmful to human skin

and both can cause skin cancers.?

UVA

rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are largely the cause of aged skin and

wrinkles.? UVB is generally responsible

for most “sunburn” effects and has traditionally been thought of as the cause

of most skin cancers.? Ideally, persons

in the sun should be protecting themselves with a sunscreen that blocks both

UVA and UVB.


Sunscreens

Sun

protection factor (SPF) is the ability of a sunscreen to protect skin from

ultraviolet induced erythemas (sunburn).?

This SPF number is calculated based on the length of time it takes to

cause one MED in protected versus non-protected skin.? Basically, SPF is the amount of time it takes

to causes a sunburn in someone with sunscreen protection versus someone who is

unprotected.? At present, most sunscreens

protect largely against UVB only, although there are some products that are

beginning to protect against both UVA and UVB.??

SPF:???? ??????????? % UVB absorption

2????????????????????????????????? 50.0

4????????????????????????????????? 75.0

8????????????????????????????????? 87.5

15??????????????????????????????? 93.3

30??????????????????????????????? 96.7

50??????????????????????????????? 98.0

Chart

from “A field guide to wilderness medicine” by Paul Auerbach, pg. 69

Clearly,

one can see that UVB protection increases with the higher SPF and use of SPF 30

is becoming more and more advised.


How to Apply Sunscreen

  • Apply liberally to all areas of

    exposed skin including backs of hands,? ears, nose and tops of feet
  • Apply 15-30 minutes before swimming or

    water exposure
  • Reapply immediately after exiting the

    water
  • Using sunscreen and DEET based insect

    repellent will reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen by approx. 35%


What is in the sunscreen?

The

ideal sunscreen spread onto your skin easy, does not cause allergy, pimples and

does not stain clothing.? PABA

(para-aminobenzoic acid) is the most common cause of sunscreen dermatitis and

effects 4% of people.? Creams and lotions

spread on the skin well.? Oils spread

very easily but may cause pimples.? For

extreme conditions a wax or ointment will help resist skin chapping.? Aerosols are often wasteful and leave parts

of the skin over coated and others under protected due to difficulty in

ensuring even spray.?


Sun protective clothing

Clothing

that has been tested and proven to block the UV energy is designated by the

term Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) which is identical to SPF for

sunscreen.?

The tightness of the fabric’s

weave is most important in determining how effective it will be in blocking UV

energy.? A good example of this is Lycra

which can block nearly 100% of UVR when relaxed but only 2% when stretched

tight.? A typical white cotton tshirt has

a UPF of about 5-9.?

Wide brimmed hats

are especially good for protecting the face, head and ears.? Sunglasses should be labeled to protect

against UV energy and side shields do work in decreasing the amount of UV

absorbed by the eyes.


Treating a Sunburn

Sunburns

are largely self-limiting and will typically resolve on their own.? Treatment is largely centered on relieving

symptoms.? Skin moisturizers and cool

compress or cool water baths may help decrease the pain.? There is little evidence to suggest tradition

treatments such as baking soda, aloe and oatmeal are effective pain relief but

there is also a lack of decent studies.?

Oral pain control can be achieved with either aspirin, acetaminophen or

ibuprofen.? After a day in the sun,

dehydration is also a factor and adequate water intake should also be

assured.?


?

?

Watch out for those rays!

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From the Travel Insurance Related Tips weblog

Best Cash Back Card on the Market

American Express Blue Cash Card is number one

I have had many different credit cards over the years that have offered various incentives, points programs, rebates, and cash back schemes. The number one credit card that I have found is the American Express Blue Cash Card.

An Unexpected Source

Most of the time I have avoided American Express credit cards because they never seemed to offer much and always seemed to charge annual fees for their usage. American Express will still charge a great deal for some of their high-end, business-class cards. However, when I ran across the Blue Card, I could not believe the deal I was getting.

Maximum rebates, no annual fees

As far as I know, there is no one who has the kind of credit card deal that the Blue Cash Card offers and supplies. For the First $6500 worth of purchases, the Blue Cash Card holder receives 1.0% back on all purchases at grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations and 0.5% everywhere else. That rate may not sound appealing, but after the $6500 threshold is reached, all purchases from grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations receive a cash-back boost to 5.0%, including the pre-$6500 purchases. All other purchases have a cash-back boost to 1.25% after the threshold, including all pre-$6500 purchases. On top of these cash-back rewards, there are no annual fees to cut into your savings. What is especially appealing is that there are no maximum amounts one can purchase except for one’s own credit limit to restrict or cap your cash-back savings.

Make the Blue Card your main card

The key to maximizing your Blue Card rewards is to make the card one’s main credit card. Not everyone, of course, accepts American Express, but most merchants do, and certainly most grocery stores, drug stores and gas stations do, which is where a person can get the maximum rewards from the card.

Annual payoffs from the Blue Card

Many cash-back programs require someone to reach a certain threshold before one is able to redeem rewards. The Blue Card has its own conditions that way, only its condition is not points-based or cash-based, but rather time-based. The anniversary date of Blue Card approval is the day that the rebate is given. In others words, a person has to wait a year for the Blue Card payoff. But if a person views the annual wait in the same way a person waits for a certificate of deposit to mature, then the wait is not difficult to endure, and it is certainly worth the wait, particularly if you have made the Blue Card your primary credit card. One’s anniversary rebate can easily reach $500 or even more, depending on your spending habits. I can attest to this, because I gained a $500 rebate on my first anniversary date. No other card has come close to this kind of payback.

Take advantage of the savings

I hope you take advantage of this credit card option. You have to spend money anyway, so you might as well get the maximum savings on the money you spend.

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When bears attack! Practical tips for staying safe in the wilderness

One of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompson is “Civilization ends

at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not

always right at the top.”
? I feel the same can be said for those who

venture into the wilderness.??

WorldNomads.com’s roving medical and adventure expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD shares these practical tips to help you enjoy the North American wilderness from the top of the food chain.


Adventurers who enjoy hiking, tramping, cycling, climbing and outdoor pursuits should always be prepared for conditions they cannot control.? You can run into stronger,

nastier and faster animals than yourselves… and it’s vital to know what to do.



Perhaps the most frightening animal to outdoor adventurers is the

bear.? I have a very healthy respect for bears of all types.? Common

sense should be used by those traveling through bear country and all

bears should be considered dangerous.

Bear safety when you are camping:

  • Avoid camping in known bear feeding areas or movement routes
  • Keep garbage away from your campsite and do not camp in areas with garbage
  • Sleep in a tent and keep a flashlight inside
  • Keep sleeping bags partially unzipped for a quick get-away
  • Strongly consider carrying pepper spray or if properly trained, carry a firearm
  • Store food properly and keep it in bear-proof containers or hung in a tree, away from you
  • Cook and store food? at a site away from your sleeping area
  • Try to change clothes after cooking and leave them with your food, away from your sleep area
  • Do not keep food, trail mix or energy bars in your tent or pockets when you sleep

When you are hiking or traveling:

  • Make lots of noise while moving so a bear is aware you are approaching
  • Do not rely on bear bells alone to produce adequate noise
  • Be aware of wind direction; an “upwind” bear cannot smell you
  • Heavy forested areas, rushing water, rain or fog can all act to decrease sound transmission.? In these places be extra loud
  • Do not approach bears or any wild animal too close, especially not for a photograph or “better view”
  • If you observe signs of bears in the area (tracks, droppings or fresh prey carcasses) consider them to be close by
  • Avoid berry patches, elk grounds or streams with spawning fish because bears like to eat there

If you see a bear:

  • Allow the bear to see you are there. As a human, you are not one of their favorite meals
  • Avoid sudden movements or yelling
  • Do not climb a tree or attempt to run
  • Do not stare at the bear or make eye contact; look to one side or the other
  • Do not attempt to hide
  • Avoid standing next to objects such as tree stumps, bushes or things

    which will cause the bear to think you are anything but “human shaped”
  • Speak to the bear in a clear, calm voice to allow the bear to identify you as human

If attacked:

  • Do not run, climb trees, fight back or scream
  • Do not hold out an arm to ward of an attack
  • Drop to the ground and cover your head, in a fetal position
  • Curl into the smallest ball you can make yourself
  • Interlock your hands behind your head, covering your ears and use your elbows to protect your face
  • After you think the bear has left, try to move as little as possible while looking around
  • Try to see which way the bear went and travel in the opposite direction




If you are attempting to carry either a firearm or pepper spray, ensure

you are properly trained to use these items.? Fatal accidents can

result from improper use or inadequate training.

Tips for avoiding other animal attacks

  • Avoid sudden movements around animals
  • Never pet an unknown dog
  • Never pet or kiss an animal, avoid petting them on the head
  • Do not reach into animal cages
  • After preparing food, wash your hands before touching an animal
  • Never leave children alone with animals
  • Do not try to take food or toys from an animal
  • Do not try to separate fighting animals




Perhaps the greatest danger from an animal attack or bite comes from

the initial trauma of the bites or scratches.? After the initial blood

loss has been controlled and first aid has been rendered, there should

be concern for infection.? Often times, antibiotics are indicated

following an animal bite, especially wild animals.?

Rabies is always a

concern and victims of animal attacks should speak with their health

professional immediately about treatment or prevention following a

bite.? Frequently, stitching or tightly closing an animal bite will

only serve to trap dangerous bacteria in the wound.

Finally, after being bitten, do not forget to check the status of your last tetanus shot.

Bear scare gadgets

Before hitting the trails in North America, you might like to whack these into your hiking pack…



Bear pepper spray

Bear bells


Further reading about?

Bear attacks



Surviving a mountain lion attack




?

Bear Warning [Yosemite National Park] .  Photo courtesy of groundzero/flickr.com

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From the Travel Insurance Related Tips weblog

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Croatia

So we’ve all been there, you’ve read the guide books and done everything you think you could to prepare for your trip overseas. Then you arrive on your spectacular holiday and realize you should have brought your sweater, some sunscreen, extra cash… you get the idea.

We combed our network of adventure travel operators and asked them for their expert opinions on Croatia. Below are a couple tips to keep you traveling safe in Croatia and help you prepare for your vacation (and hopefully avoid the ‘oh no!’ moment).?

Korcula, Croatia, Photo by [vacation2], Flickr.com



?

1. Think twice about renting a

car.

The Balkan drivers definitely don’t take their time when they’re on the

road and driving yourself might end up being more of a rollercoaster than a

scenic drive. The bus system works well as does the train system, plus you’ll be

able to meet some local friends by taking public transport!

2. Bring water

shoes.

Maggie Soladay from?Salaam Garage?comments, “I wish I had known that the coast

was rocky and that most beautiful water for swimming is hard to get to because

if you jump in you can’t get back out because sea urchins patrol the whole rocky

stinging coast.? I wish I would have brought water shoes, I would have worn them

every day.”

3. Sunscreen is a

must!

Our own Christy McCarthy from?WorldNomads.com?comments, “The sun can be very strong, so

don’t underestimate the cloud cover – put on a sunscreen with a high SPF and

don’t totally bake yourself.”

4. Save Money, Don’t

Travel in Summer.

Our friends at?Lonely Planet?advise: Croatia is more expensive in the

summer than it is from September to May. Accommodation, boat fares, car rental

and anything else relating to tourism skyrockets in summer, reaching a peak in

July and August.

5. Shake, Rattle &

Roll.

Dubrovnik?is in an earthquake zone and gets shaken up

every so often. Buildings in the Old Town look old and crumbly but in fact the

city government has been rigorous in implementing modern reinforcement

techniques to stabilize the ancient structures so don’t worry too much but be

prepared if you feel some tremors.

Want to learn a

bit more about Croatia? Check out these great sites:

Lonely Planet

Croatia

Croatia Tourism

Board

Why Croatia?

What did you learn in Croatia and wish you knew before you went?? Leave us a comment…

Beach at Tucepi Croatia, Photo by [vacation2], Flickr.com

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