Our desire to travel is often driven by a wish to escape. Whether it’s from the weather, the job or just the stresses and pressures of everyday life, we all hope that our holiday will give us an emotional boost, and allow us to leave our worries behind, whether we are away for a week, a month or even a year.
But things can and do happen to travellers and holidaymakers. Witness the trouble in Thailand and western China recently, the Mallorca bombs, and the recent air crashes, as well as the daily road traffic accidents and medical emergencies that go unreported. And when these events do happen, how those involved react can not only affect on their own travel plans, but also can have a major impact on friends and family back at home.
Having worked for a crisis management consultancy for several years, I have been part of a team that helps tour operators in preparing to manage major incidents on their trips. Where people travel independently, they should consider taking what steps they can take themselves before they travel, just in case. And even on a group trip, certain preparations will make life a lot easier for all concerned if you are caught up in a difficult situation.
Here are a few steps that I would recommend to all travellers as part of their personal emergency plan:
1. Let family know your travel plans. If you have hotel name and flight details, let someone have a copy of these. Imagine the comfort you will give them in the event of a hotel fire or air crash if they know you are safe. And if something truly serious happens back at home, you will be glad they can reach you (never depend on a mobile phone alone). Even if you are backpacking, let family know your intended route so that they have some idea where you are.
2. Where possible let the authorities know of your whereabouts. For UK residents the FCO runs a great free service LOCATE where you register your trip online, and they will be best placed to assist you if there is a natural disaster or terrorist attack in that area. Other countries run similar programmes. You will glad you took the trouble if something does happen, and it only takes a couple of minutes to register.
3. Make an online version of all of your most important travel documents. I keep an online copy of passport, insurance policy and any visas as a draft email in my webmail account, so that I can pick it up wherever I might need it. This will save you a huge amount of hassle if you become separated from these at any time.
4. Take a few moments before you leave home to make a note of all the phone numbers you might need in an emergency, and keep them safe (again, don’t rely on your mobile phone alone – write them down). Examples are: credit card and bank numbers for lost/stolen/blocked cards; local consulates; insurance 24 assistance numbers)
5 Always have more than one method of accessing cash. Relying on one ATM card, or carrying a huge wad of cash will leave you vulnerable in the case of card being swallowed by a machine or you getting fleeced. And talking of cash, never keep all cash in one place. If there are two of you travelling, make sure it is split between you. And even if alone, keep it spread around different locations. This will be a life-saving tip if you are ever mugged or your wallet is stolen.
6 Final tip for now…. don’t be shy to drop a quick email or sms to friends and family on a regular basis. Not only will it make your friends and family happy that you’re thinking of them, but they will have a regular update of your most recent location.
These tips are not intended to ruin the spontaneity of a trip. On the contrary they should allow you to do what you wish with an added peace of mind. Having worked with those that have taken preparation seriously and those that haven’t, and seen the consequences of the latter, I would strongly recommend that a bit of planning before you go is time and effort well spent.
very comprehensive and sensible thanks!
Interesting post and good advice. I would however advice Africa travelers to keep hard copies of documents as well as you will not be able to go online in most places.
Happy travelling!
Completely agree. We have set up a twiiter page to post safety and security incidenst from around the world which may affect travel plans. search for us on twitter maxwell_lucas and follow our daily update.
Regards
Declan Meighan
@Johan agree – and this applies not just in Africa – even in supposedly developed countries you can find it tough to get online in a hurry.
I love your site, and enjoyed 11 ways to piss off your safari guide! Have re-tweeted.
@Declan thanks – will look that up and follow
#3 doesn't keeping a copy of passport etc. increase the chance of ID theft? – Veek
Hi Veek – thanks for the comment. In theory it could do, and while I am not an expert in internet security there are ways to store your documents online securely.
On the balance of it, I would consider the benefit of getting quick access to this information in an emergency to outweigh the still very small risk of ID theft (but then I haven't been a victim yet, thankfully).
Great advice.