Editors note:

Personal safety is an issue that we should all address some point before we travel. Ryans opinion and advice is here to make you aware of the potential risks you may encounter abroad. Obviously it is up to our own judgements on how we maintain our personal safety - hopefully this article may raise some issues that you may have not considered yet and help you form your own opinions.

Ryan has his own website www.Thailand4Kids.com where he offers advice to those wishing to travel in Thailand with children.

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Copyright (C) Ryan King 2005.

INSURANCE

In the past I have volunteered as a hospital visitor in Thailand, visiting foreigners who for one reason or another have wound up in hospital and usually away from friends and family. A disturbing number of these people have insufficient travel insurance or, in more than a few cases, no travel insurance at all.

I have witnessed people being denied treatment because they could not afford to pay for it, and I have witnessed the father of a young traveller sell his car and borrow more money than he could afford to pay emergency medical bills for his daughter who had gone travelling without insurance. Be absolutely sure of this, in almost every country in the world, if you need medical treatment and you can't pay you will be denied treatment, no matter how desperately you need it. Understand too, that your Embassy is not going to help you.

When you take out insurance there are some key points to consider:

•  Is the period of the insurance cover sufficient for the trip (there will be a maximum period on the insurance). Beware of 'full year' cover that may only provide for limited periods per journey, even though the cover is for multiple journeys in the one full year period.
  
•  Check geographic cover; are there excluded areas or are there terms relating to the starting or finishing point of your journey? (these will have to tie-up with your pre-booked tickets).
  
•  Check the cover provided by credit card insurance – were the tickets are purchased on a credit card? (does the purchase have to be on the traveller's card in order to receive full cover?).
  
•  Check levels of cover. This should be a minimum of £500,000 for medical and £500,000 for evacuation (more in the US). There should be cover for lost tickets and documents, legal aid, third party injury and public liability. (Note additional services such as call centres and telephone doctor are not of much value).
  
•  Any semi-dangerous sports will almost certainly be excluded. Check this and if you want to scuba dive, rock climb, bungy jump etc take out a dedicated dangerous sports insurance.
  
•  Insurance purchased overseas may have no value and will not be subject to the law in your own country. Buy all your insurance before you leave.
  
•  Consider two insurance policies.
  
•  Don't rely on an insurance that comes free with a credit card, buy dedicated travel insurance.
  
•  Insurance is so important that it is advised you get professional advice before you go. I would also suggest it is something that the parents of young travellers might want to buy as a gift, thereby ensuring that insurance isn't being skimped on as a way of saving money for the trip.
  
•  Scan all the insurance documents and place them in a document store – see below.

MEDICAL

You may need to take medicines with you on your journey, the following are a few things to consider:

•  Get a letter from your doctor that lists all medicines you are taking and clearly states that they have been prescribed to you. This is especially important if you are carrying hypodermic needles. Place this document in the document store - see below.
  
•  Carry your medicines in your hand luggage when travelling by air.
  
•  If any of your medicines are essential, split them into two or more lots and store them in your baggage separately.
  
•  If any of you medicines are essential confirm that they are available in the dosage and format that you need at your destination.
  
•  If any of your medicines are essential or you have any medical condition that could prove life threatening - type the details onto a sheet of paper and staple them into in your passport, wear SOS medical tags, inform those who you are staying with and those you are travelling with. Note: Medical SOS tags should be the cheapest looking you can get. Do not wear gold or silver plated since in the event of an accident these might well be stolen.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Personal safety is naturally a concern for anyone travelling to an unknown area or country, there are a few simple rules that can be followed which will greatly reduce the chances of you being hurt.

The Big Numbers.

The following are the biggest risks to personal safety and as such warrant special attention:

Alcohol

Both that which you might drink and that drunk by others is the single biggest contributor to dangerous situations. It clouds thinking and will greatly increase the risks in any situation.

•  Drink with moderation
  
•  Be aware that drink affects others and be watchful of their behaviour.
  
•  If you visit clubs, bars or entertainment places where alcohol is being consumed leave before the final hour. It is in the final hour that most problems occur.
  
•  Have an excuse ready for not drink – for example I'm on medication – be aware here that refusing an offer of a drink in many cultures can be a grave insult, a prepared excuse can save you getting into and argument.

Road Accidents

In Thailand almost 25,000 people a year die in road accidents (one person every 20 minutes). India and China make these figures look good.

•  As a foreigner (in any country) your chances of being involved in a road accident are hugely above those of a local.
  
•  Outside of Europe/US/Australia/New Zealand emergency roadside treatment is going to be very basic and may cause more injuries and deaths.
  
•  You may very well get blamed for any accident you are involved in (even if you are not the driver).
  
•  Insurance you take out overseas for vehicles you hire may well be worthless.
  
•  Always wear a seat belt in cars
  
•  If no belts are available sit behind the passenger seat (it's the safest seat in a car)
  
•  Do not be afraid of telling the driver to slow down
  
•  Keep an eye out in case the driver is drunk (he may not be at the start of a journey but may drink during lunch stops or while you are sight seeing).
  
•  Avoid travelling outside of towns at night, night driving is the most dangerous, particularly in the developing world where road conditions and vehicle maintenance are poor.
  
•  Check that the tyres of cars have a sound tread before you get in.
  
•  Motor bikes are the big killers – avoid them (I know they look good – but they kill in huge numbers)
  
•  If you must take a motor cycle wear a helmet, if you are riding keep an eye on the road ahead and tell the driver to go slow before you get on the bike.

Attack on the Person

Fortunately attacks on the person in most parts of the world are rare events, however they do occur and must be considered as a risk. What I can guarantee is that men consider this a greater risk than women do, but ask around your male and female friends who has been beaten up or attacked buy a stranger? Young men are hugely more at risk than they believe.

•  The first rule is do not make yourself a victim.
  
•  Use your best weapon – your instincts. Learn to trust them, if a situation doesn't feel right then it probably isn't – fright and flight.
  
•  Be aware that alcohol will affect your judgement and the judgement of others.
  
•  Don't carry any weapons - you probably don't know how to use them and it will induce a false sense of security: "I can go there because I have a knife". You might well be bringing the only weapon to a dangerous situation and still wind up the victim (very likely if you have your own weapon). If you think you need a weapon to feel safe in a place – you probably are not listening to your instincts.
  
•  Stay away from all guns. ALL guns, including those of friends or the police.
  
•  Do not go, or be invited to, places where you do not feel safe. Be prepared to get out of cars or taxis at traffic lights or in jams (when travelling in cars/taxis try to keep your belongings with you in the passenger compartment, that way you can easily get out of the car if you feel unsafe).
  
•  Be prepared to discard or hand over valuables in order to maintain your personal safety.
  
•  If you escape a dangerous situation do not go back. Do not go back for any reason.
  
•  Keep to well-lit and busy areas at night time.
  
•  Do not strap (belt) rucksacks or bags to your body, they can prevent your escape. You may see people with rucksacks on both their back and chests – they are extremely vulnerable to attack.
  
•  Do not wear chains of cords around your neck, always check that necklaces can be easily broken.
  
•  Do not walk at night while wearing your i-Pod/Walkman, keep your senses about you.
  
•  If you are visiting an area where there are a lot of tourist be aware that what you see as an authentic bar or night spot free from foreigners might to the locals be a respite from tourist and foreigners - they may resent your presence.
  
•  The two biggest causes of attack on the person are alcohol related and robbery – alcohol is discussed above. You can reduce your chances of being a victim of robbery by not carrying expensive items or, in the very least, keeping them out of sight. . Do not wear jewellery (cheap jewellery can look expensive to a thief) . i-Pods, mobile phones and cameras can all attract thieves. . Handbags and small knapsacks are tempting and should be carried with care. . Branded clothes can attract attention
  
•  Be aware of the wealth gap between you and those in the country you are visiting.
  

Sexually Motivated Attacks

There are no reliable figures anywhere in the world on the incidence of sexual attacks, but to dispel two myths: both men and women can be victims and both men and women can be attackers. Don't get caught up in arguments about who commits and who suffers, just be aware that you can be a victim and anyone can be your attacker or attacker's accomplice.

There is an important note here: you will be in a foreign culture with foreign values. As liberated as the culture may seem it is certain that the culture of your host nation will be considerably different from that of your home. Behaviour and ways of dressing that are normal back home might well send all the wrong signals overseas and may lead to you being perceived as a target. This to your mind may be wrong, but it's the mind of the attacker that decides if you are to be attacked or not. You can reduce these chances.

Just as importantly it is very easy to forget that the people sharing accommodation, guest houses or hotels with you will very likely be from different cultures. While you are doing your best to be sensitive to the culture of your host country, you may forget the culture gap between you and the person in the next room.

•  Most sexual attacks take place where the attacker feels they are not likely to be seen by others – that is why so many attacks occur back at the guesthouse.
  
•  Again, use your best weapon – your instincts. Learn to trust them. If a situation doesn't feel right then it probably isn't – fright and flight.
  
•  Most sexually motivated attacks are committed by someone who knows the victim, be aware that an attacker may cultivate a friendship with the sole purpose of catching you off guard.
  
•  Alcohol again is a key factor
  
•  Drugs may be used so be aware of what you are eating and drinking. Watch out for friends and have friends watch out for you.
  
•  Pay heed to other peoples' warnings.
  
•  Dress and behave appropriately to the culture and situation in which you find yourself, take a little time to observe the behaviour of others.
  
•  Ensure your sleeping area is secure, a few tips are:
  
•  Buy and use a door-wedge, they are perhaps the most secure method of keeping a door closed (take two along with you). The best door wedges are solid rubber and when pushed firmly under a door are very effective – you need only place a foot on the door wedge to hold the door absolutely closed.
  
•  Lock doors from the inside, see Fire below.
  
•  Check that windows and any other doors into your room are securely locked.
  
•  Hang a shower gel or other such object off your bedroom door handle so that any attempt to open the door will cause a noise.
  
•  Make sure there are no means by which you can be observed while in your room or bathroom. It is not unusual in some parts of the world for holes to have been drilled in walls or doors.
  
•  Make sure there is a member of staff at the location 24 hours a day.
  
•  If you have a phone in your room check that its works.
  
•  Do not be shy about screaming.
  
•  Be absolutely sure who you invite into your room and be absolutely sure about who's room you might go to. Be aware here that being in someone's room or inviting someone into your room may constitute a tacit sexual invite both to your attacker and perhaps under the law of the country you are visiting.
  
•  Be aware that attackers often prey on people who are vulnerable, drunk, drugged or emotionally vulnerable. That time when you are really pissed with a friend and have bailed them out is a time when they may be vulnerable to attack. Looking out for each other is a very effective means of avoiding problems but it is not always easy.

FIRE

Fire is a relatively low risk but if you do encounter a fire it can very often be fatal. If you are travelling in the developing world you will almost certainly be living in buildings that fall far short of any useful fire regulations. You need to be aware of the risks and have a plan of escape in place. Trying to figure these things out in front of a fire is too late.

•  Buy a smoke detector and a pack of blue-tak before you set off (make sure you have a battery and don't fit the battery when packing in your bags). You should fit this smoke detector to the ceiling in your bedroom by using the blue-tak to secure it.
  
•  If the ceiling is divided by a cross-member(s) then fit the detector in the section within which you will sleep.
  
•  Check the escape route of where ever you are staying. Make this a routine as soon as you arrive.
  
•  Check fire doors are not locked, and if they are insist that they are unlocked. Check again before you go to bed. I have stayed in numerous hotels where the fire doors have been locked, I have asked them to be unlocked and found them locked again an hour later. Threatening to report this to the local fire office usually gets a result.
  
•  Check fire doors at cinemas and clubs/discotheque you go to. If you are not sure stay near the main entrance door.
  
•  If you are staying in a room with security grills over the window make sure that you have something in your room with which to knock the grills out, they keep burglars out – they keep you in.
  
•  Do not padlock doors from the inside – leave keys in locks when you are in the room.
  
•  If you smoke do not do so in bed, mattresses and soft furnishings will not be fire proofed. Use ashtrays, or a drink can to extinguish cigarettes.
  
•  Do not use candles or oil lamps in your room.

THEFT

Theft is unfortunately an ever-present problem and can cause great difficulty when you are overseas. By far the worst problems arise when money documents or essential medicines are stolen and for this reason a back up position should be arranged for before you travel (see Medical, Document Storage and Money).

A few precautions can reduce your chances of being a victim of theft.

•  Minimise the valuables and essentials you carry and keep them either on your person or under lock and key. I suggest you take two padlocks with you, one small enough for a locker and one for locking doors. Very often your accommodation will have a padlock, the keys to which may be held by a number of people, fitting your own lock ensures you control access.
  
•  Fit your own lock on the day you move in, the first days of moving in are the most likely time for a thief to strike.
  
•  Follow all the usual precautions of locking doors and windows. Check security bars and locks are secure.
  
•  Do not carry large amounts of cash, use traveller's cheques, a visa card or better still, multiple ways of obtaining cash.
  
•  Record the numbers of cards and cheques in your document store.
  
•  Always distribute some money in different bags and pockets so that if you do get your wallet stolen you have enough money for emergency use.
  
•  Buy a small day bag before you set off in which you can place essentials.
  
•  Use safes or lockers to keep some (not all) of your money. If using a locker, make sure it is securely fastened and can't be removed - fit your own padlock.
  
•  Be careful of who you trust with your bags and valuables. Sadly there are numerous reports of fellow travellers thieving bags, often from people they have known for weeks. I would advise you "trust nobody".
  
•  Don't place valuables in your hold luggage when flying.
  
•  If taking a taxi, count your bags into the boot of the car and count them out watch the driver close and open the boot.
  
•  If travelling by bus, sit with your day bag on your lap (not on the floor or overhead).
  
•  If someone attempts to mug you, give them your stuff, it can be replaced – you can't.

DOCUMENT STORE

I keep all my essential documents online. To do so I simply scan them and then email the scanned document to myself.

If you are going to do this make sure your email account is not going to be cancelled during your travels.

DISASTERS

I don't think that there are any realistic chances of something like the Asian Tsunami happening again in our lifetime, I pray that I am right.

But other disasters do happen: Bali, 9/11, air crashes, earthquakes they are all on our minds, but more importantly they are on the minds of the people who care about you back home. Parents, brothers and sisters, loved ones. They don't have the view of the world where you are, and when we can't see, we all imagine.

My mother was in India during an earthquake that struck 800kms from where she was, a huge distance, my mother wasn't even aware of the earthquake. My father was, as were my brothers and sisters. The BBC reported an earthquake in India, mum was in India – Mum must have been caught in the earthquake.

Please, if there is any disaster that has killed injured or might have killed or injured people in the country where you are, where you are going or where you have just been PHONE HOME – or email, if you will, but let people know you are OK – even if it is 800kms to the disaster.

As for getting caught in a disaster - well I hope this happens to none of us. If it does, having insurance, looking after your money and having back-up documents will be of a great help.

Do take care and have a great trip.

Copyright (C) Ryan King 2005.