Fieldwork Essentials For This Woman In Science

For many students and professionals, the upcoming summer season in the northern hemisphere means they get the chance to go into the field to collect data for their research. COVID has made the regular “field season” impossible or completely different, but fortunately some are still able to get out. My research takes me to remote beach in the Indian Ocean, using marine technology such as drones and baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) to look at shark assemblages.
​
The latest fieldwork trip I took lasted almost three weeks! Packing can sometimes present a lot of challenges, such as choosing the right gear and just how much to bring for… well, pretty much every scenario. So, what do I bring with me when I’m out in the field? Well first off, I have a few general tips.

number one

Whatever gear you take, make sure you know how to use it! I’ve had many people go on trips where they buy something and don’t set it up or test run it before they leave home. Don’t rely on fancy technology to always work- make sure to know how to use basic survival gear such as a map and compass. 

number two

​Try to take gear that has more than one function! Versatile is the best thing your stuff can be. For example, my Ocean Bottle doubles are two “cups” (one big, one large), is good for both hot and cold drinks, and I can even put food like soup or stew in it! I always carry duct tape, zip ties, and super glue… they are true life savers! 

number three

​Leave only footprints when you are out in the wild! Make sure to minimise your impact on our environment, especially in remote places. Sometimes we accumulate a bunch of rubbish and nowhere to put it, so try to use biodegradable or reusable products! (That being said, sometimes you need the hard chemical stuff… for example, I use DEET as my insect repellent because I’m allergic to mosquito bites. Citronella just doesn’t cut it for me!) 
​

DAILY GEAR

Each day I use my LIFEPROOF backpack with what I need for either walking around different beaches for hours at a time, or for going on the boat for the whole day. Here’s what I typically carried on any given day

• Daypack – I got a Squamish 20L Backpack sent to me by Lifeproof right before I went to Antarctica and have loved its simplicity and durability. It has been with me to the tropics, the arctic, the jungle, the desert… you name it!
• My Ocean Bottle water bottle – keeps my drinks super cold all day long (remember to ask for my code to get 20% off)

• Water cleaning/purifying tablets
• Durable field notebook (Rite in the Rain is a fave brand)
• Multiple Sharpies, pencils, pens
• Sunglasses
• Hat, bandana
• Sunscreen
• Rain jacket and small drybag for electronics (such as a battery pack and cables for my phone)
• Basic first aid kit
• Snacks (granola bar, apple, some chocolate)
• Dive knife/multitool (you just never know)
• Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, mask
• Flip flops (if I’m not wearing them)
• Wallet with at least $20 in cash 

Clothing

Probably the toughest part of packing has to be what you are going to wear! Look up the weather for where you will be going and pack for a few degrees below and above the high/lows. For this latest trip (~2-3 weeks), I packed:

• 10 days’ worth of socks and underwear
• 2 to 3 pairs of shorts/pants
• 3-4 work shirts (of varying lengths)
• 1 outfit to relax in during the evenings (usually sweatpants and a jumper for me)
• 1 outfit to be solely used for pajamas (shorts and a t-shirt in the tropics this last go round)
• 1 outfit for travel back home (trust me… clean clothes are SO NICE that last day)
• A wide brim hat and a baseball cap
• Sandals
• Sneakers
• Water shoes
• Rain jacket

Toiletries 

For most of hygiene products, I usually pop into Kmart or Target and go to their travel section to pick up little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. If your field work is remote but there is a town nearby, you may be lucky enough to pop in and grab some extra if you run out. But if there is a specific brand or product that you can’t live without, pack it. I also packed my toiletries into ziplock bags to prevent any spillage. I say this as someone who has had their conditioner spill all over their luggage before… do it. Here are some essentials:

• Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap
• Body moisturizer
• Toothpaste/toothbrush/floss
• Wet wipes packet
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray 
• Talc powder (hello Gold Bond)
• Contraception (if you are on the pill)
• Feminine hygiene supplies (just so you aren’t surprised; these are the ones I use)
• Deodorant
• Lip Balm
• After sun/aloe vera
• Extra contacts/contact solution
• Extra hair scrunchies
• Quick-dry (microfibre) towel

You never know when you will get to do laundry, so I bring a laundry soap bar and just wash my clothes when I wash myself. I usually bring a line to hang up and put my stuff on there to dry afterwards.

Miscellaneous

For most of hygiene products, I usually pop into Kmart or Target and go to their travel section to pick up little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. If your field work is remote but there is a town nearby, you may be lucky enough to pop in and grab some extra if you run out. But if there is a specific brand or product that you can’t live without, pack it. I also packed my toiletries into ziplock bags to prevent any spillage. I say this as someone who has had their conditioner spill all over their luggage before… do it. Here are some essentials:

• External battery pack (or solar charger!)
• Adapters (if you are going to a different country)
• Short extension cable (comes in handy)
• Watch with an alarm
• Lots of ziplock bags, zip ties, duct tape, super glue
• Head torch with spare batteries
• Sewing kit, safety pins, tweezers, nail clippers
• A good book
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Sleeping bag liner (keeps you off any grubby sheets)
• Mosquito net
• Sleep mask & ear plugs
• Some comforts from home (my partner writes me letters, maybe a little stuffed animal, etc.)

And that’s it! I hope this has helped you figure out what you are going to pack on your next (or first!) field work trip. For those who have been out multiple times, what are some of your “must haves” that you bring along? Let me know in the comments below!