Travel Tips: How to Prepare for an Emergency Abroad

When planning a dream vacation, no one likes to have to plan for the possibility of illness or injury. However, a seasoned traveller knows that a broken ankle or a gastrointestinal disorder can happen at any time, home or abroad. With thoughtful planning and minor precautions, you can reduce the stress of an unanticipated hospital visit overseas and ensure your vacation is safe, enjoyable and trouble-free. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Avoid eating or drinking unsafe food or water. This includes tap/well water, ice made from tap/well water, swimming pool water, flavored ice, ice pops, raw fruits and veggies, undercooked eggs, and fountain drinks. Where advisable, always use bottled water to brush your teeth. Staying at a resort doesn’t mean you are out of danger as described by this family on holiday, click here to read more about what happened to them.

2. Prevent bug bites. Use insect repellent with at least 20% DEET and reapply it every couple of hours. Wear light-coloured long pants and sleeves, and use permethrin-treated gear when necessary. For mosquitoes, be sure to sleep in rooms that are air-conditioned, screened, or use a bed net. For ticks, tuck your pants into your socks when hiking in tall grasses and walk in the centre of hiking trails when possible. For bedbugs, keep suitcases closed and off the floor when they are not in use and try to keep them off the bed completely. Keep clothes in your suitcase when you are not wearing them.

3. Practice road safety as a driver and as a pedestrian. Know traffic laws before you get behind the wheel, ask questions, and observe local custom. Always use safety belts, motorcycle helmets, and car seats for children, including when in taxis. Avoid driving at night where possible. As a pedestrian, be alert when crossing the street and do NOT assume a motorized vehicle won’t approach from the wrong direction.

4. Get insurance cover. There are three types of insurance to consider: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance. Talk with your health care provider to ensure that you understand all three and amend your overseas coverage to meet your travel needs. Know the health care options in the countries you’ll be visiting including local hospitals and emergency phone numbers.

5. Share your itinerary. Brits can register their trip with the British embassy using LOCATE, a free on-line service that ensures the nearest embassy or consulate knows where the registered person is should a disaster strike. At home, be sure to leave details of your trip with people you trust and keep them updated if your plans change.

6. Do your research. Check the Center for Disease Control website for vaccination information and healthy travel packing lists. The site is also an excellent reference tool with country-specific travel tips, disease directories, and health sector emergency updates.

7. Know your resources. Should misfortune strike, know your legal options abroad. Keep copies of your official documents such as passports and visas, along with emergency contact information for consulates and embassies, your insurance provider, and credit card companies. If you got injured in an accident or natural disaster contact your embassy immediately.

While we all like to think that vacations are all sunshine and smiles, the reality is that accidents and unplanned events do happen. Should you have to deal with an emergency abroad, make sure that you’re adequately prepared by following the advice above and giving yourself the best chance of avoiding such misfortunes.

photo credit: Ballstadheiha via photopin (license)