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because mines are commonly laid on the edges of the paths. If a mine is laid properly it is impossible to see. In this case the mine has been partly exposed through weathering. Like the landmine in this picture. |
Once you have worked out which route is the safest, try not to go off the safe path - even if you have to go to the toilet (this must be done on the safe path). Don't be tempted to go and explore ruins or old military bases as these are common mined areas. The local people are often tempted by well laden fruit trees and bamboo crops and sometimes risk going off the safe paths for food.
When you are walking on a safe path try to stay in the centre, as many mines are often laid on the edges of paths.
During a visit of some US Army personnel to
a front-line Cambodian village, we needed to view primary school, which
was said to still have an anti-tank mine hidden somewhere close to the
entrance path. I don't like to go into known mine areas, but on this occasion
I had the opportunity to take some images of naturally exposed mines for
the programme materials. We were taken to a nearby abandoned hospital drain,
which was full of partly uncovered Russian PMN2 below ground mines. One
of the older American gentlemen had a few problems keeping his foot completely
within the prodded step (ie. an area large enough for a foot to be safely
placed in, had been probed underneath to make sure there were no mines
in that spot). No matter how much we guided him he still kept walking outside
the steps. Luckily nothing happened that day, but from then on I never
took anybody with me into known mined areas.
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TRAVELING PROCEDURES IN AN UNKNOWN AREA MAIN POINTS . ![]()
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