and IIRC, all new SAF uniforms r pre-soaked with
Permethrin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin
because when my ns time last time, when i
1st posted to the unit, csm gave us a concentrated solution of
this and asked us to soak all our uniforms for a couple of hours,
and air-dry them....
he said after several washing during bmt time, the effect had
gone away... like a temporary hair dye thing...
We also had Permethrin to soak our clothes. In fact, even before
we had a pail which we share to dip our clothes in for 2mins each,
I already bought a bottle of Permethrin on my own. I was already so
worry about my field camp many weeks before because I know I have
this problem and had began to research on what could help to
prevent these. I also bought a 100% concentrated DEET solution
insect repellent at a freaking expensive price.
Unfortunately, this Friday before my book out when I asked my PC
if I could bring my own insect repellent, he told me that I could
only bring the SAF insect repellent. I told him that my skin might
be sensitive to the SAF insect repellent but was told again that I
will need a doctor's letter to prove, which I don't and couldn't
get it so quickly.
The other thing which disappoints me is that permethrin actually
is only more effective to prevent mosquitoes. For other insects, it
is not going to work as effective. Moreover, I read that many
insects have gradually grow to be immune to permethrin.
I have thought of telling honestly to my PC that I have this
problem but feel quite embrassing to do so and I remember he ever
told us that in field camp if he ask us to take cover at a place
even with a big spider, we cannot say we scare and must just go. So
I decided to keep it to myself for the past few weeks.
