SOS Survival Guide-Advice for Incomers and Newcomers

SOS Members Group Stats

Hurricane Preparedness

Before the Hurricane

After the hurricane

Supply Kit

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Pets

Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

Before hurricane

  • Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
  • Have a current photograph
  • Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
  • Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal.Carriers shuld be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
  • Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet!Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potencial refuges for your pet during a disaster.
  • If you plan to shelter your pet, work it into your evacuation route planning.


    • During the Hurricane

  • Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:Proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.
  • Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm.Reassure them and remain calm.
  • Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis.Call a head and determine availability.


    • After the Hurricane

  • Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home-often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after disaster.
  • If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered.Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.
  • After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive:monitor their behaviour.
  • Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.


    • Pet Supply Kit:


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    Water Tips

  • Altough Saba is surrounded by water, this island practices water conservation.
  • Save dish and rinse water as flush water.
  • Turn off water as you lather yourself and your hair when showering.
  • Put everything (toilet paper, feminine products, etc.) in the waste can, not the toilet since things here are flushed into septic tanks or a drain field and many systems are old and function marginally.
  • Do not laundry unless you have a full load-unless it is really dirty, hang it back up.
  • Do not leave standing water outside your home since it attract bugs, mosquitos in particular.
  • Contact Martien at the school or check with your landlord when you need to buy water.
  • How it works ?
  • Some people drink straight from the cistern, but most will filter it first.
  • You can boil it at a rolling boil for 5 minutes to kill bacteria and then run it through the filter.
  • You can also purchase bottled water filter for your tap or a pitcher, but bring replacement filters to last because the specific model is not available .
  • If you do not have a filter on your tap, you can expect your water pitcher to last about half as long as it should.

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    Insects, Animals, and Vegetation

  • There are no poisinous animals on Saba; however, there are some bugs that bite.
  • Saba is generally bug-free thanks to the numerous lizards and cats that are found on the island and certain areas are more bug -free than others due to more winds (for example:Zion's Hill).
  • Bugs are a part of life and Saba we have our share.Keep your home as clean as possible.Do not leave any food or containers on the counters or floors.Also, avoid cleaners with a sweet or fruity scent as it tends to attract ants; ammonia or pine-sol are great all-purpose cleaners.
  • Roaches can be big and fast.Do not leave food on the floors or counters and keep your home as clen as possible.As precaution you can leave the "large" roach motels around and put some Plagatox, BOP, or boric acid under the outside of your house ;however, you may not want to do this if you have children or pets.Wash your floors with ammonia.
  • Ants of all different kinds and sizes can be numerous and pesky as well.
  • Rats are situation best handled with your landlord.There is a blue tablet of rat poison that they have that you can crumble up and use around the house, both inside and out.

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    Transportation

    Note:SUSOM requires vehicle registration and a parking sticker for your vehicle window.Parking is limited and sold on a yearly basis.A sticker costs roughly $60USD.

    To bring or not to bring a vehicle

    If you do decide to bring a vehicle to Saba, be prepared for it to get slightly damaged by the sea water and wind up with a few "Saban-dents/scratches" as we call them.Make sure too, that you send it through Hasell-Free so that it makes it all the way to Saba and is not stopped in St.Maarten.This means you will probably have to drive your car to Miami, FL, so it does not end up costing you a fortune. IT will cost you roughly $1,500USD to ship a vehicle here, depending on the make and model.Make sure that you ship it out several months before you start classes, otherwise you will not recieve it until weeks after class starts since luggage for everyone will be the only thing coming in the first few weeks.

    To buy a vehicle

    On Saba: Students, especially 5th semesters, are often selling their cars,throughout the semester.Look at ValueMD and the boards around town to see who's selling what.Always take the car for a test drive from Fort bay to the airport,get a car check-up, and ask lots of question about its history.These cars have been here and sold to students for years , sometimes meaning a car history is made up, so we be aware.If you live away, contact SOS, and we will take a look at it for you.

    On St.Maarten:Marshall Motors and Car Rentals is a popular place where students buy vehicles.There is a fee to ship the car to Saba, so ask about it.It is roughly $400USD. Purchase extra brake pads and shoes while there as well.

    Bus

    Buses run at different times throughout the day based on when semester classes start, take breaks, and finish. As a SOS of a student, you are permitted to ride on the bus.When certain semesters do not havr class, yhe buses do not run(ie: no buses run on orientation day).


    Hitchhike

    While not something you might do back home, it is very common here.If you live in Hells Gate(aka:Zion Hill,) you can wait on the side of the Road and wait for traffic coming from the airport to give you a ride.The plane comes in every half an hour or so.

    Walk

    While The Road is certainly more challenging in person that it looks on a map, you can walk it; it may take you an hour or two though.

    Taxi

    There are a number of taxis on Saba, and they are willing to pick you up just about anytime day or night, just not too late.

  • $1 per bag
  • Airport to Windwarside:$10USD per person
  • Windwarside to The Bottom:$10USD per person.


    • SOS Members

    If you cannot get a ride in one of the above ways or just prefer not to, then call up another SOS member.It is really not an inconvienience most of the time; we enjoy your company.

  • Maintenance and Repair:
  • Amongst one ofthe three mechanics on the island, you can surely get your automobile fixed, even if it does take a while for parts to come in.
  • Franz(522-1008)
  • Bennets Garage(416-2231)
  • Martien(599-416 3456/ext:219)
  • Obtaining a Netherlands Antilles driver's license
  • Process
  • You must obtain a Netherland Antilles driver's license in 3 months from your date of arrival on Saba.
  • From the Receivers Office in the Government Building purchase

    • Go to the Hospital between 11am and 12 noon Monday through Friday for a physical exam($38USD per person).Medical student should go on a study day or block exam day after tests.The exam includes a

    Go to the Census Office in the Government Building and fill out a form they hand you.IN ORDER TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS ON THE FORM, YOU MUST HAVE TEMPORARY RESIDENCY PAPERS FROM IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WITH YOU!They will make copies of your marriage license, driver's license, birth certificate and passport.

    Write a letter on the government letterhead to the Lieutanant Governor requesting permission to obtain a Netherland Antilles driver's license.

    Turn all paperwork into Anita at the Administration Building, wait a week, collect you paperwork, pay the remaining and obtain you license........renew yearly!


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    Banking

  • Bank statements are sent to student mailboxes.
  • Three Banks

    • ATM

  • Located at Windward Island Bank (The Bottom)and RBTT (Windwardside).
  • 24hr ATM's are functional with or without a Saba Bank accounts as long as you have a debit card.
  • You can withdraw up to $1,000USD per day on any credit card with no fee.
  • You can withdraw up to $500USD per day on a savings account with a small fee for each transaction.
  • To open an account MUST have
  • Passport
  • Driver's license(US or Canada is acceptable)
  • Letter of Acceptance to the University
  • $500USD
  • Checking Account
  • Not charged for withdrawals.
  • Charged a small fee per week or month for insufficient(<$10,000USD )funds in your account.
  • Savings Account
  • Not charged for withdrawals
  • Not charged for funds in a account being to high or low.
  • Change
  • Roll up your change using any type of paper since the banks do not have any coin rolls
  • Mark the outside of the roll with what it is and the amount.
  • Guilders (fls)

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    Communication

    Cell Phone

  • Three Carriers
  • Chippe: good reception from The Bottom through Windwarside
  • Tel Cell: good reception in Zion's Hill (Upper&Lower)
  • East Caribbean Cellular(ECC):not working curently
  • Purchase a phone of your choice.
  • Purchase Pre-Paid Minutes at the Satel CommunicationsBuilding or at local businesses:Cable/Gas Co.,ICS, Scout's Place , and several grocery stores.
  • Incoming calls are free.
  • You can call homes, businesses, other cell-phones, and other islands, but you ncannot use a pre-paid phone card purchased in the US or Canada.
  • Prices vary when using a cell phone to call the US or Canada.


    • Land line:

  • Purchase a phone of your choice at the SATEL Communications Building unless your home already has one.
  • Incoming Calls are free.
  • You cannot call internationally(with or without pre-paid US or Canadian phone cards )or cell phones unless you have an international calling plan.In this case, it costs $0.29USD per minute to call the US or Canada.
  • There is a $0.10USD charge per minute and a $0.20 USD charge per call.
  • You must have a ground line phone in order to have internet.


    • Intertnet

  • Purchase an internet plan based on speed of your choice.
  • DSL and dial-up are available.
  • The first month is free.
  • VOIP is included.Set-up Skype, Vonage, or Yahoo Voice on your own.

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    Cable

  • The 3rd building(house )on your right onThe Road headed to Fort Bay (The Bottom);same building as the Gas Company.
  • You must pay this bill.You can also pre-pay a few months ahead.
  • Channels can be added, but there are a few good one's on the basic plan.

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    Gas /Electric

    Gas

  • The 3rd building (house)on your righton The Road headed to Fort Bay-same as the Cable Company.
  • The size of your tank and have to replenish your gas supply.
  • Your deposit will cover your tank exchange.Consult your landlord for help when you need to buy more.
  • In order to recieve your refund you must have your deposit reciept!
  • Big Rock now sells gas as well.


    • Electric

    Located on the same side of te street as My Store(The Bottom)near Sacred Heart Church.

    Pay this bill in person at the Electric Company after your landlord recieves it or you receive it in yourstudent's school mailbox.

    If you arrive early your first semester, set up these services as soon as possible, otherwise you'll be pushed back on the waiting list.

    There is a non-refundable hook-up fee of $115USD.

    Keep[ing the A/C for extended periods of time WILL run up your electric bill;however, if you go away over break, keeping ity on, even if on low, will based on where you live and time of year.Expect bills to be on the high sidesince it is not here year-round.


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    Grocery/Resturants

    Grocery stores.

    You can find just about everything you need amongst the four (4)grocery stores, and there is also cost u less on St.Maarten(Dutch Side) with whom you can place a special order to on a weekly basis for bulk grocery orders. Visit Cost U Less when on St.Maarten atleast once before u purchase items through them because pictures are not shown, just identification numbers.

    All Saba grocery stores offer 10% off cash purchases deal on Wednesday's and Saturday's (at JR's it is on Saturday's only) as do several other businesses,

    Accounts can be set up st all of the stores so that you can pay in cash or with debit or credit card at the end of the month instead on a weekly basis , but the discount does not apply.

    If you can acquire fly miles on your credit card, it may be more financially sound to use your credit card and receive fly miles than to pay cash and receiove the discount.

    All prices are in Guilders, but USD are accepted everywhere.

    The currency rate of exchange is 1.8f to $1USD.

    Restaurants

  • Restaurants on Saba are not open for food orders late, but they are the place to be every night of the week for drinks.
  • At some restaurants or on certain days of the week, reservations are required.
  • Certain restaurants also offer special night's throughout the week.
  • Refer to our Saba Restaurants Special Guide for more information.

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    Shipping/Delivery

    Shipping

    DHL

  • Located at the HES Hardware, the first right off Ther Road past the stairs to Mt.Scenary on the way from Windwardside to The Bottom


    • Fed Ex

  • Located 4 houses down from Brigadon in Windwardside.
  • Contact: Bertha Hassell
  • Hassell-Free: Located at G&C in Windwardside.
  • Contact:Rose Hassell
  • Check www.hassellfree.net for more information and ship dates and rates.


    • ICS

  • Located next to RBTT Bank in Windwardside.
  • Check www.ics.com for more information and ship dates and rates.
  • $100USD gets you a Florida Mailing address for internet orders and family shipments.
  • Packages take 2-4 weeks to receive mail.


    • Delivery

  • When you are expecting an order to come in on the ferry,contact one of these men to work out arrangements with them regarding payment and pick-up delivery.
  • Sometimes you're required to go to Ft.Bay and pay for your freight.
  • Gustavo, who will charge you by the box and will sometimes charge you to cover the freight cost as well.
  • Giovanni, who will charge you by the box and will sometimes charge you to cover the freight cost as well.


    • Shopping

  • On Saba;Several store sell local and international goods.
  • On St.Maarten; Sometimes you can purchase items here cheaper than on Saba
  • Cost U Less; Like Sam's club or Castro and also item's are packaged in bulk and can be special ordered.

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    Travel

    To Saba and other Caribean Islands

  • All transportation to Windward islands goes through St.Maarten(Dutch Side).
  • Expect to pay departure taxes ($5-$20 per person) and a baggage tax ($5plus per box/bag)when flying or taking the ferry.
  • Check out the Win Air website www.winair.com for flight information
  • Check out the different islands websites for ferry information or contact the Saba Tourist Bureau.
  • Expect to pay several hundred dollars for a day trip to St.Maarten and back once you included travel and food costs.

    • Pets

    Shipping to Saba

  • Check out different airlines to compare prices.
  • Depending on the type and size of your pet, you may be required to buy a certain carrier, get a microchip put in,have a physical exam,etc
  • Certain animals are not allowed to fly out-of or in-to a location where the temperature is 85degrees F or more.
  • American Airlines offers shipping for big dogs.
  • Price could be as much as a human ticket and not be able to purchased until 3 days before travel.


    • Registration

  • Once your pet makes it to Saba, you will need to go to the Saba Trail Shop in Windwardside and register him/her for 10fls

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    Shipping Home

  • Best shipping times, for weather here on Saba atleast, would be between Nov & April.
  • Ship your pet early so you don't have to stay longer


    • Budget

  • Keep ALL your receipts and scan them if possible too.If someone claims you have not paid them and you do not have proof you did, you will not be able to leave Saba until then if you arrive early.Consult your acceptance packet for loan options.
  • Housing is done differently here on Saba than back home.Refer to our housing section for more information.
  • Vehicle purchase and maintenance is an odd commodity here on Saba.Refer to our transportation section for more information.
  • Food, while sometimes differant brands than you have back home, is not hard to come buy and not that much more expensive than you are used to.Refer to our Grocery/Restaurant section for more information.

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