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Safety & Ethics Basics

Read Before Any Fieldwork

Every guide in Get Involved assumes you have read this page. It is not optional.

Planned content:

  • Personal safety on the riverbank — terrain, water currents, flood risk, weather, and what to do in an emergency.
  • Health precautions — exposure to polluted water, protective gear basics (gloves, boots, masks), and post-fieldwork hygiene.
  • Group safety — buddy systems, communication protocols, and what to do if someone gets into trouble during a group drive.
  • Community ethics — how to interact respectfully with local communities, fishermen, and residents near the river; obtaining informal consent before photographing people.
  • Legal basics — permissions you may need before certain activities (e.g., sampling near industrial zones or reserved areas), and when to consult your NGO or local authority.
  • Environmental ethics — leaving no trace, not disturbing flora/fauna during fieldwork, and responsible waste disposal after a cleanup.