It’s that time again. School is out and families all over the World are getting ready to spend that vacation time to see Grandma and Grandpa, visit the Eiffel tower, see Big Ben (Still under construction, by the way), scuba dive off of Queensland, Australia, or exploring the walled city of Cartagena. Whatever the case, people will be traveling all over the World for vacation. As they venture out on this annual adventure they will be exposed to new tastes, sounds, and experiences. It’s essential for a successful and happy trip that travelers to be aware of the security environment and possible changes that may affect the outcome of this memorable peregrination.
Traveling on vacation isn't the same as traveling for business. Most corporate plans won’t cover you on your personal trip. So there won’t be a team watching out for you if there are plane delays, health issues that may show themselves, violent events, that you might be exposed to. The benefits are that you aren’t kept to a specific schedule and you can change your plans at the drop of a hat. Strangely enough, this freedom can lead to other security issues. So, how do you plan a vacation where you can be spontaneous, have fun and yet be safe and stay secure?
A beautiful piece of art is based on rules and a structure even though it may seem spontaneous and unconventional. In the same way, a beautiful and memorable trip is based on a plan. Some questions that should be answered beforehand are, Where are you going? What do you want to do while you're there? How are you going to get there? Where are you going to be staying? How are you going to get around when you’re there? Are there any issues that may be met that might negatively affect the trip? ...and finally, What will you do if there is a medical emergency or a crisis?
Of course, there are other questions you may be asking like where are you going to eat? What shows will you see, will you be taking the catamaran or the single hull fishing boat, but the ones I’ve outlined are the basic ones. Once you’ve answered these questions you can start becoming creative.
In my experience, all but the last two questions can be answered clearly and rather quickly. It’s the issue of medical emergencies and crisis events that throw people for a loop. Perhaps it’s psychological in that the average person doesn’t want to consider their own mortality but the reality is that people have emergencies all the time. That’s why they’re called emergencies, they happen all-of-a-sudden, and without an idea of how you will manage them, you will be grasping at straws while far from the support network you’ve developed at home.
Important Questions
I’ve been told by self-proclaimed “seasoned” travelers that they don't need an emergency plan. To that I’ve asked them these four questions:
- What will happen if you are knocked unconscious while you are out of the country?
- What will happen if you are physically immobilized because of a medical emergency or injury?
- What will happen if you become a victim of a criminal event? (Theft, Assault, Kidnapping, etc)
- How will you get home if a natural disaster interrupts your current plans?
- As a corporate security manager, I’ve had to address with these sort of events for our employees but if you’re not covered by the company you work for then you will need to have some sort of plan to deal with them.
Have a plan
Here are a few things I would recommend you have in your emergency plan:
- Emergency contact. This should be the name, address and the phone number of someone who knows you, can vouch for you, confirm your identity, and knows your basic medical conditions. They should also know your emergency plan. (This person’s information should be placed on a laminated card and added to your wallet or purse with the words “Call This Person If I Need Help”)
- An insurance policy that covers your medical expenses while traveling.
- A copy of your passport. Or better yet a passport card.
- A rendezvous point for the people in your travel party to meet at if you are ever separated.
- An emergency expense fund to cover last minute changes. (it should be enough to buy a return trip or the change fee home for the traveler)
- An alternate transportation home if necessary, to include routes and forms of transportation.
You will be amazed how far a little planning will go to put your mind at peace. And you will be even more relieved when the proverbial crap hits the fan and you’re already prepared for it. Be Safe Stay Secure, and remember "You Are Security". #YoureSecurity #YourSecurity