Land mines
Land mines
I was reading that a land mine can stay active for 50 years. Not sure when the land mines were laid in Cambodia exactly but I expect in 10 years they should have their 50 year expiration date.
Anyone have information on how much area is being cleared yearly of these mines? Anyone ever worked on clearing them? Is the best way to clear them by rats finding them or is there a better method.
Would it be feasible to set up a rat training centre in Cambodia? What other options are there?
For such a big problem in a country I never hear it mentioned much. There must be a lot of land left empty due to the fear of mines.
Sorry for so many ?, am very interested in what you guys think on the matter? Is there an end in sight? Would be a valuable charity to train alot more of these rats, maybe we could all pitch together and make a difference.
Anyone have information on how much area is being cleared yearly of these mines? Anyone ever worked on clearing them? Is the best way to clear them by rats finding them or is there a better method.
Would it be feasible to set up a rat training centre in Cambodia? What other options are there?
For such a big problem in a country I never hear it mentioned much. There must be a lot of land left empty due to the fear of mines.
Sorry for so many ?, am very interested in what you guys think on the matter? Is there an end in sight? Would be a valuable charity to train alot more of these rats, maybe we could all pitch together and make a difference.
do you train bomb detecting rats?
Have you been to Cambodia?
Have you been to Cambodia?
- Lucky Lucan
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Well a few people got blown up In Preah Vihear recently and those mines there were likely laid in 2008-9. I don't know what you mean by expiration dates, it all depends on the conditions they have been under and I'd imagine many can stay active for far more than that if they don't suffer too much damage in the environment. There are many resources and studies about mines in Cambodia, I suggest you look some up.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmI was reading that a land mine can stay active for 50 years. Not sure when the land mines were laid in Cambodia exactly but I expect in 10 years they should have their 50 year expiration date.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Unsuspecting tourists.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmor is there a better method.
Unsuspecting Chinese tourists.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmWhat other options are there?
Massive, first thing I think of every day when I wake up. You should stay where you are until the coast is clear.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmFor such a big problem in a country I never hear it mentioned much.
Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
- ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ
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When leaving the city, I always get a Chinese tourist to walk 15 yards ahead of me.Spigzy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 16, 2022 1:13 amUnsuspecting tourists.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmor is there a better method.
Unsuspecting Chinese tourists.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmWhat other options are there?
Massive, first thing I think of every day when I wake up. You should stay where you are until the coast is clear.Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmFor such a big problem in a country I never hear it mentioned much.
- moethebartender
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It's really the mimes in Cambodia that you need to worry about. Fifty years on, they'll still be a menace.
- ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ
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Loving this idea of us all pitching in together to fix this wee land mine problem.
Spigzy would be in charge of project telecoms
Lucky Lucan would educate us on the history of the soldiers who laid the mines. Together with some lovely B&W photos.
ricecakes would upcycle some recovered mines and weld them together to use as a BBQ.
Alexandra would probs reprogram some mines to be used as fireworks or something
springrain would spend the time promoting conspiracy theories about big pharma laying the mines.
RobW would keep up morale by telling bawdy jokes
v12 would stand on sidelines shouting how about how stupid we all are and that we don't understand how Trumpie and Musk has caused this mess.
I'll bring the coffee and I guess that just leaves YaTingPom to locate and recover the mines.
We can do this folks!
Spigzy would be in charge of project telecoms
Lucky Lucan would educate us on the history of the soldiers who laid the mines. Together with some lovely B&W photos.
ricecakes would upcycle some recovered mines and weld them together to use as a BBQ.
Alexandra would probs reprogram some mines to be used as fireworks or something
springrain would spend the time promoting conspiracy theories about big pharma laying the mines.
RobW would keep up morale by telling bawdy jokes
v12 would stand on sidelines shouting how about how stupid we all are and that we don't understand how Trumpie and Musk has caused this mess.
I'll bring the coffee and I guess that just leaves YaTingPom to locate and recover the mines.
We can do this folks!
2
2
- Hanno
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From an interview with a German deminer:Guest wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 pmI was reading that a land mine can stay active for 50 years. Not sure when the land mines were laid in Cambodia exactly but I expect in 10 years they should have their 50 year expiration date.
Do these sorts of devices become less dangerous over time?
No, it's the opposite actually. Mines become more dangerous the older they get. A landmine always contains an amount of TNT or another explosive mixture, RDX. These explosives lose their flexibility over time, making the material become unstable. Sometimes a bit of friction will be enough to cause the detonation. That means these mines can be in the ground for 80 or 90 years and still be dangerous.
Look at the example of Verdun in France, the battlefield in the First World War. The explosives there are still active. The firing pins are rusted and don't work, but it's definitely still possible that the mines explode.
"I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes."
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Was it last week two deminers were killed?
Saw a reply and the guy was complaining that the world media were obsessed with a dead rat, and posted links.
Totally missing the point.
Saw a reply and the guy was complaining that the world media were obsessed with a dead rat, and posted links.
Totally missing the point.
pew, pew, pew, pew!
First in Cambodia?
Years ago there was a Japanese artificial limb technician working for Handicap International. Nice guy, funny, skilled, caring, etc., but sorry I forget his name. (Many worked devising the rubber ankle limbs allowing squat toilets, but I think he had some direct input.) Although many clients were very happy to toss whatever wood and metal homemade limb they had been using before and get something new, the whole thing about getting blown apart and needing some tech to have a semblance of a normal life isn't inherently cheery. That said, the place managed to have a good feel, even if that feel was a bit stressed, like the bright murals in children's hospitals.
The Handicap grounds were fairly extensive and had a minor obstacle course set up so amputees could practice with their new prosthetics and check the fit. The Japanese guy realized a swept concrete path, stairs and a bridge, was a hell of a lot less challenging than moving around in rural Cambodia, so he decided some competition and variety might give clients a broader range of motion. Golf didn't exist then in Cambodia, so what he built might well have been Cambodia's very first course (At least since the KR took over). 9-holes. Clubs were made from the scrap plastic and metal not used in fake legs. Balls were high density plastic foam. A very good strike might send the ball 50 yards, but most clients had balance issues, and 10-20m was average. I played teams with clients 2 or 3 times, and maybe another 4-5 times with the Japanese guy.
Clients really liked it, and some of the Khmer physiotherapists appreciated the idea and it's effectiveness, but after the Japanese guy left, the old damaged soldiers and farmers were more reluctant to try a sport they found difficult just because some clean, young, city Khmer said it was a good idea. The Japanese guy's infective enthusiasm for the sport turned out to be necessary, and within 5 or 6 years there was nothing left of the course. ICRC had a similar compound across the lane, and one of the golf clubs ended up in a display of discarded homemade prosthetics. The palm tree with a small metal sign making the 6th hole was still legible last time I looked, but that was probably ten years ago.
Lots happens in Cambodia nowadays and as Spigzy implies, people don't think about landmines much anymore. (So much so that the OP above almost seems like a troll.) Nevertheless less, I enjoyed recalling the above story, maybe other posters might share some of theirs?
Years ago there was a Japanese artificial limb technician working for Handicap International. Nice guy, funny, skilled, caring, etc., but sorry I forget his name. (Many worked devising the rubber ankle limbs allowing squat toilets, but I think he had some direct input.) Although many clients were very happy to toss whatever wood and metal homemade limb they had been using before and get something new, the whole thing about getting blown apart and needing some tech to have a semblance of a normal life isn't inherently cheery. That said, the place managed to have a good feel, even if that feel was a bit stressed, like the bright murals in children's hospitals.
The Handicap grounds were fairly extensive and had a minor obstacle course set up so amputees could practice with their new prosthetics and check the fit. The Japanese guy realized a swept concrete path, stairs and a bridge, was a hell of a lot less challenging than moving around in rural Cambodia, so he decided some competition and variety might give clients a broader range of motion. Golf didn't exist then in Cambodia, so what he built might well have been Cambodia's very first course (At least since the KR took over). 9-holes. Clubs were made from the scrap plastic and metal not used in fake legs. Balls were high density plastic foam. A very good strike might send the ball 50 yards, but most clients had balance issues, and 10-20m was average. I played teams with clients 2 or 3 times, and maybe another 4-5 times with the Japanese guy.
Clients really liked it, and some of the Khmer physiotherapists appreciated the idea and it's effectiveness, but after the Japanese guy left, the old damaged soldiers and farmers were more reluctant to try a sport they found difficult just because some clean, young, city Khmer said it was a good idea. The Japanese guy's infective enthusiasm for the sport turned out to be necessary, and within 5 or 6 years there was nothing left of the course. ICRC had a similar compound across the lane, and one of the golf clubs ended up in a display of discarded homemade prosthetics. The palm tree with a small metal sign making the 6th hole was still legible last time I looked, but that was probably ten years ago.
Lots happens in Cambodia nowadays and as Spigzy implies, people don't think about landmines much anymore. (So much so that the OP above almost seems like a troll.) Nevertheless less, I enjoyed recalling the above story, maybe other posters might share some of theirs?
OK, another tale.
A friend lost his leg above the knee in an Italian motorcycle accident (true whichever way you read the sentence.) He suffered awful phantom limb pain for years, till he discovered 'mirror therapy' and finally could sleep a full night. (Mirror therapy involves using a well placed mirror, so the reflection of your good limb reminds you of your old body image. The magic is mental, but it really works for many.) He decided to tour Cambodia, meet amputees, and share mirrors and the therapy method.
I ran into him in Samlot, Battambang, and helped translate and arrange meetings. At the end of the day a girl said her uncle might come to see us the following day, When she said he was a triple amputee from de-mining his rice field , we worried the method wouldn't work as the method needs to reflect an intact limb. She then added that he still had one leg, so we said OK, let's try.
We were grimly surprised when he turned up on schedule with the 6 or 7 others. One leg and one arm were fine, so far so good, unfortunately he'd been squatting down low doing his farm de-mining, and he'd lost both eyes in the accident. Mirror therapy certainly wasn't going to work!
A friend lost his leg above the knee in an Italian motorcycle accident (true whichever way you read the sentence.) He suffered awful phantom limb pain for years, till he discovered 'mirror therapy' and finally could sleep a full night. (Mirror therapy involves using a well placed mirror, so the reflection of your good limb reminds you of your old body image. The magic is mental, but it really works for many.) He decided to tour Cambodia, meet amputees, and share mirrors and the therapy method.
I ran into him in Samlot, Battambang, and helped translate and arrange meetings. At the end of the day a girl said her uncle might come to see us the following day, When she said he was a triple amputee from de-mining his rice field , we worried the method wouldn't work as the method needs to reflect an intact limb. She then added that he still had one leg, so we said OK, let's try.
We were grimly surprised when he turned up on schedule with the 6 or 7 others. One leg and one arm were fine, so far so good, unfortunately he'd been squatting down low doing his farm de-mining, and he'd lost both eyes in the accident. Mirror therapy certainly wasn't going to work!
That’s amazing the mirror therapy. Saw it yonks ago, for some unknown reason lost in my brain fuzz.
I wonder if there’s an NGO who does it now?
I wonder if there’s an NGO who does it now?
pew, pew, pew, pew!
Are you talking about Steve-o? I think he’s in Canada now. I don’t know if any NGO picked it up after he left, but it works. He’s a great guy.
http://meandmymirror.org/
http://meandmymirror.org/
Yes, Steve. I first saw him from the plane as he hopped the barrier at Civilian side Kandahar Airfield. Now, I think, he's living near False Creek, downtown Vancouver. Maybe Handicap could fly him over to Cambodia start of next dry season?
The Catholic Church in Battambang had Spanish volunteers coming over every year pre-pandemic and Steve-o did a bit of mirror therapy with some amputees there that they were working with. They may be still using it. I also took Steve to the H.I. Centre in Battambang, former site of Cambodia's first 9-hole golf course, and a handful of clients got mirrors and training. Higher Khmer admin were happy to give us access, but the head of Physio was away and I doubt they took it further. I think Japanese Red Cross still funds part of ICRC (under a different name) across the lane, so I might be able to check.
The reasons physio's should keep it in the toolbox: it is cheap to try; easy to train; and makes an unbelievable difference for some/many.
On the flip side: Phantom limb pain effects a %, not all, and not all the time; it seems kind of like magic, and Khmer physio staff have studied hard to attain a medical/scientific perspective, so it seems a step back; most amputees live far from main provincial centres, so by the time mirror therapy has had time to work (3-4 weeks if I recall correctly) the trainers are too far away to hear any positive feedback; happily, there are a lot fewer mine incidents (I'd guess the yearly average for the whole country is now less than the 20 year old Monthly average for just Battambang & Banteay Meanchey), and NGO's focused on helping survivors have thus been closing the last 10-15 years. (E.G. EMERGENCY Hospital, still thriving in Kabul and Lashkargah, Afghanistan, began transitioning away from being a Battambang NGO about 12 years ago, and I think it was fully (?) given to MOH last year. World Vision might be still painting those dynamic landmine billboards, but those I see often in the backcountry are well bleached and nearly illegible.); and finally, no one makes money from it, so there is no commercial incentive. A local Khmer NGO is afraid to risk asking for $100/yr for mirrors and $1,000/yr for a part-time, occasional outreach trainer, especially with the paperwork burden. Doctors and clinics earn nothing - so why even mention it?
That said, H.I. (Handicap International) does lots of moto accidents now and mirror therapy should be an available option. I think Seve's smaller plexiglass mirrors (duct-taped mylar?)were $3.
Christianity has gone full speed ahead with English language teaching and I've seen whites in wheelchairs at the gigantic YWAM missionary training campus. They might be a suitable vector to continue carrying Mirror Therapy around the globe. (Really hope Steve near learns I said that!)
The Catholic Church in Battambang had Spanish volunteers coming over every year pre-pandemic and Steve-o did a bit of mirror therapy with some amputees there that they were working with. They may be still using it. I also took Steve to the H.I. Centre in Battambang, former site of Cambodia's first 9-hole golf course, and a handful of clients got mirrors and training. Higher Khmer admin were happy to give us access, but the head of Physio was away and I doubt they took it further. I think Japanese Red Cross still funds part of ICRC (under a different name) across the lane, so I might be able to check.
The reasons physio's should keep it in the toolbox: it is cheap to try; easy to train; and makes an unbelievable difference for some/many.
On the flip side: Phantom limb pain effects a %, not all, and not all the time; it seems kind of like magic, and Khmer physio staff have studied hard to attain a medical/scientific perspective, so it seems a step back; most amputees live far from main provincial centres, so by the time mirror therapy has had time to work (3-4 weeks if I recall correctly) the trainers are too far away to hear any positive feedback; happily, there are a lot fewer mine incidents (I'd guess the yearly average for the whole country is now less than the 20 year old Monthly average for just Battambang & Banteay Meanchey), and NGO's focused on helping survivors have thus been closing the last 10-15 years. (E.G. EMERGENCY Hospital, still thriving in Kabul and Lashkargah, Afghanistan, began transitioning away from being a Battambang NGO about 12 years ago, and I think it was fully (?) given to MOH last year. World Vision might be still painting those dynamic landmine billboards, but those I see often in the backcountry are well bleached and nearly illegible.); and finally, no one makes money from it, so there is no commercial incentive. A local Khmer NGO is afraid to risk asking for $100/yr for mirrors and $1,000/yr for a part-time, occasional outreach trainer, especially with the paperwork burden. Doctors and clinics earn nothing - so why even mention it?
That said, H.I. (Handicap International) does lots of moto accidents now and mirror therapy should be an available option. I think Seve's smaller plexiglass mirrors (duct-taped mylar?)were $3.
Christianity has gone full speed ahead with English language teaching and I've seen whites in wheelchairs at the gigantic YWAM missionary training campus. They might be a suitable vector to continue carrying Mirror Therapy around the globe. (Really hope Steve near learns I said that!)
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