Chaitanya D

@Werno congratulations, well done. Bring on the next level

@Nathan Evans congratulations, you are an epitome to challenge with that beautiful Jimny of yours. Fantastico 👍🙏

Thank you for responding dear friends @hasan hamadeh @Haris Javed @Clay Neddo @sachin suvarna @Roy Armale @Marwan Haddad Keep looking for more notifications by Thursday. Whenever possible please see the newbie video to keep the basics in mind, it comes with some practice as you drive along but always better to be informed. Please ensure your car is in the best of conditions as summer in blazing and cars tend to heat up pretty quickly. @arjumand and @Simon Ducos awaiting your response for Do you have any prior off-road experience? Does your vehicle has front and rear tow hooks / eyelets in good working condition.? Without front and rear tow hooks/eyelets or recovery points in good conditions you will not be allowed to join the drive.

Well done everyone @Thomas Varghese, @Russ, @Werno, @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil, @Darren Brooke, @Lakshmi Narasimhan, @Danish Mohammad, @M.Seidam , @GauravSoni, we all enjoyed all the challenges at night. @PaoloMaraziti just relax, don't come to any conclusions . Probably you can start with NB drives in the dark, get more used to the alterations and then join FB drives which are faster. The terrain from Pink Rock to Big Red is a bit of a roller coaster so some tend to feel motion sick. Other areas which are similar are Area 53, Shuaib and Badayer. So refrain from these areas (which tend to be a roller coaster kind of ride with a fab convoy like yesterday where hardly anyone slows down), then slowly build the practice. Hopefully you should get used to , if not then you make a informed decision . @Shaaz Sha thanks for the wonderful support @Lorenzo Candelpergher beautiful drive with a enthusiastic group absolutely agree with everything in your report. Thank you After driving the FJ out and coming back in a plush Rubicon , I was a bit weary sitting back in my X-Terractor🤣

Dear Friends @hasan hamadeh @arjumand @Haris Javed @Clay Neddo @sachin suvarna @Simon Ducos Please respond to the above post, we need this information for planning this drive accordingly. Most important being that you inform us if: you have any prior off-road experience your vehicle has front and rear tow hooks / eyelets in good working condition. Thanks

Xterra has a air filter at the same location behind the glove box. Sand accumulates there and u get "sand storms" after every drive with switching the AC on. One needs to clean that filter regularly like we clean the air filter for engine

While we have been enjoying night drives in this hot summer, it is important we are well aware as to what needs to be done in case of a creeper bite in the dark. Desert is their home and we are the "invaders" , and hence instinctively they can bite us in self defense. Scorpions and snakes are more active at night and hence it is required you know what needs to be done when this can occur SNAKES: a quick pictorial review of snakes which can be found in UAE. Snakes can be venomous (Poisonous) and non venomous(Non poisonous) Non venomous 1. Blind Snake Non venomous 2. Thread Snake Non venomous 3. Sand Boa Non venomous 4. Wadi Racer Non venomous 5. False Cobra Non venomous 6. Sand racer - Hissing snake Non venomous Venomous Snakes - Poisonous - the Triangular faced Vipers are dangerous which are the only poisonous snakes found in UAE 1. Saw Scaled Viper - Poisonous 2. Sand Viper - Poisonous 3. False Horned Viper -Poisonous Vipers are the only venomous snakes in the UAE, and are found mostly in desert and rocky mountain areas. Snake bites are extremely rare, and most occur when a snake is picked up/ felt it is in danger. The Venom from UAE Vipers is Haemotoxic (destroys blood cells) Sometimes puncture wounds can be seen at site of the bite. Bite is generally not very painful but within one hour copious bleeding is likely from the bite wound and any other wounds cuts or scratches the victim may have. Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea and vomiting. It’s helpful to restrict the blood and lymphatic flow, but it’s important not to cause bruising which can lead to bleeding under the skin. If Venom is spat in to a person’s eyes use any liquid available, preferably a neutral one such as water or milk – but anything at all will do, to flush out the eye. Do's and Don'ts of Treating Snake Bite Symptoms usually manifest soon after a snake bite, so observing the victim is extremely important. If no symptoms have occurred within half an hour of the bite then indications would be that it was not a venomous snake, it failed to inject any venom or the snake was very old and had little or no venom left. Do Try to identify the snake; color, size, shape of head, attacking method are useful. Take a picture with mobile if feasible but don't chase the snake. Loosen the Victim’s clothing and move them in to comfort. Keep the victim calm and still; movement will increase blood flow and transport the venom to the heart much faster. Immobilize the limb but do NOT restrict blood flow unless you are certain the bite was from a snake that delivers neurotoxic venom. Clean and dress the wound being careful not to apply pressure and cause bruising. Inform the trip lead/support IMMEDIATELY so that he/she can manage a exit quickly to the tarmac. Do Not While there can be differences of opinion as to what we should do for snake bites the consensus of opinion as to what not to do is reasonably consistent: Allow the victim to exercise or stress themselves. Cut the bite or attempt to suck the venom out. Give the victim anything to eat or drink especially alcohol. Use potassium permanganate crystals or solution near or on the bite wound. Use soapy water round the bite wound. Leave pressure bandages on too long. Leave the victim alone. Apply ice to the wound. Soak the affected limb in any solutions. How to avoid this extremely rare occurrence in the desert on Night drives 1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk 2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any . 4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes. Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed. SCORPIONS: Scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. There are about 25 species of scorpion in the UAE, two of which are known to release venom that can lead to nausea, shock and irregular heartbeat. 1. Fat Tailed Scorpion - large and Black 2. Deathstalker - Smaller (about 5 cm) and Yellow in color - More Dangerous Signs and symptoms at the site of a scorpion sting may include: Pain, which can be intense Numbness and tingling Slight swelling Warmth What to Do in case of a bite Identify if possible , or take a picture Announce immediately for quicker exit How to avoid this occurrence in the desert on Night drives 1. Compulsorily wear thicker full pants and ankle boots. Least being a full covered shoes. Coming in shorts and flip flops/slippers means you are voluntarily increasing the risk 2. Refrain from walking in bushy areas . 3. In a unusual scenario of shovelling near bushes make sure you have a clearly lit area to make sure there aren't any . 4. Please use a bright torch and look where you step while taking biobreaks! Do not take biobreaks near bushes . Safer you stay inside your vehicle at all times , unless needed.