4 steps to travel safely
One of the biggest concerns for people before deciding to travel is safety. If you ask me I would say there are potential security issues, but with risk management, it can be minimized. By definition that would mean identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks followed by application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events. But not to be too technical, plan in advance, and don’t do stupid things. In 4 steps I’ll overview how to minimize risk and eventual consequences. Those steps would be:
- RESEARCH gather information important for your trip, from your condition to the state of the country you are visiting.
- PREPARE now that you know what are risks take measures to minimize them before leaving
- ACT on arrival to your destination keep up with good practice with the same purpose as before
- REACT if still unwanted event occurs try to resolve it with minimal damage
Table of Contents
RESEARCH
First, you will need to find out what are possible risks on your trip:
- Know yourself — it is good to know in what state is your body, what is your physical and mental state, what are your limits, and if you have any medical conditions or allergies
- Destination medical overview — what are health issues in that country (needed vaccination, diseases, insects, wildlife, sunburns, water/food quality, hospitals, …).
- Criminal risks — tourist scams, dangerous areas, political situation, laws, traffic
- Cultural norms — clothes, etiquette
- General info — weather, currency (exchange rate)
PREPARE
With knowledge from above you are ready to prepare for possible events:
- Visit dentist/doctor — fix any cavities before leaving, take needed vaccination on time, resupply on prescribed medication, stock on general medication (fever, pain, stomach, location-related, …)
- Buy insurance (travel, health, property, do you have it covered with other products, …)
- Arrange documentation (valid passport, visas, ticket/accommodation, insurance) — prepare, leave a copy on phone, in the cloud, with family member or friend
- Pack (lightly, leave out valuables, take comfortable clothes/shoes, charger and adapter)
- Learn the language (basic phrases), behavior patterns
- Money (cash in small bills, credit/debit cards-contact bank, cheques, split into the different locations-black fund)
- Contact info (embassy, home, emergency, bank)
ACT
On arrival you will have to maintain appropriate behavior:
- Blend in — don’t attract attention with your actions, outfit, or expensive things, adjust to the culture in a new environment, mingle with locals, shortly don’t look and behave like a tourist
- Keep your cool — be confident, focused, observant, careful, aware of your surroundings, listen to your instincts
- Stay healthy — drink enough bottled water, eat well-cooked meals, take supplements, apply repellent and sunscreen, maintain hygiene, exercise/stretch, for activities use the correct equipment (helmet, belt, …)
- Party hard but smart — obey local laws about alcohol and drugs, don’t lose control of yourself, avoid dodgy places, watch you drink, if possible be a part of a group, don’t trust new people, take an official taxi home, use condoms.
- Money (choose ATM inside the bank, where money belt, in the front pocket, has some change in the wallet, don’t change money on the street, be aware of scams)
- Watch your stuff — in hotel lock valuables in safe, in crowds wear a backpack in front, use padlock in a hostel and on a backpack, don’t trade safety for cheaper service, don’t reveal your passwords (don’t use public WiFi without VPN)
REACT
You did all you should but still, things didn’t work out. If this happens calmly assess the situation, prevent additional damage, and use what you prepared.
- Health — for injuries and sickness go to a hospital, use insurance
- Property — if one of those happen (scam, pickpocketing, stealing, robbery, …) don’t be a hero, cancel cards, use a substitute, and just let it go
- Legal — cooperate with police, contact embassy
To conclude, the use of common sense can bring you far. In the end, some risks should be taken and some risks can’t be prevented. So enjoy the ride.