healthcare

Health care advice

The staff and management of El Galleon and Asia Divers welcome you to the Philippines, and we hope you have a fantastic stay with us. We hope that this advice will help prevent health problems that could make your stay less enjoyable. In the tropics illness and infections can develop rapidly, and take much longer to clear up, so prevention is the key to a healthy holiday.

Sunburn

We recommend use of: sun protection factor 15+ sunscreen, a sunhat and t-shirt if you are

in direct sunlight in the middle of the day
on a boat, even if you are in the shade, or it’s a cloudy day
snorkeling, or doing outdoor activities

Dehydration

You should be drinking at least 5 litres of water a day, more if you are diving
It is safest to drink bottled drinking water.

Stomach upsets

Eat in reputable restaurants only — ask our staff for recommendations
Always wash or peel fruit
lmmodium and other such medicines are available

Cuts and scrapes

These can be prevented by always wearing footwear and a full wet suit when diving. Be careful any open wound must be taken seriously!

Clean the wound with alcohol and iodine solutions
Put on a waterproof dressing if diving, or loose dressing if not
Use antibiotic cream. (Bactroban is the brand available here.)
If swelling, redness or any sign of infection shows, see a doctor

Ear infections

Rinse your ears out with fresh, clean water after diving, swimming or snorkeling
Do not put cotton buds or anything else into your ear — the skin in there is easily damaged
If your ear feels “wet” or itchy you can use isopropyl alcohol to rinse out the ear canal
If you have an infection or any pain, see a doctor immediately

How to get medical help

El Galleon staff can arrange for you to see a doctor while First Aid is available in the front desk and the dive shop. Doctors are on call 24 hours a day in Sabang.