Earthquakes in Japan,
an ongoing violent conflict in the Middle East and escalating threats worldwide
should prompt international travelers to prepare for the possibility of a hasty
departure.
Travelers worldwide should
register with their embassy, ensure all documents like passports and visas are
in order, ensure financial resources are available to book unscheduled, urgent
travel, keep a low profile, and consider packing an accessible go bag.
Whether traveling to
a potentially dangerous region or already in one, preparing a go bag packed
with essential items will increase your likelihood of survival when it is
necessary to immediately relocate to a safer area or depart the region at less
than a moment's notice.
A go bag is full of
things you’ll want with you in an emergency when you have to drop everything
and make a run for it. It's small and light, like a knapsack, so you can grab
it and go quickly and easily. It contains essentials for communications, cash,
documents, food, water, navigation, first aid and clothing.
Communications
You probably have a cell phone, but service
could easily be down in an emergency. Consider a
two-way satellite communication device, if permitted in the region you are
visiting, as well as signaling devices like a mirror and a whistle. Add in extra charging batteries. Remember, those devices
may fail due to loss of charge or jamming. Add a small notebook with pencils.
Cash, Passport and Contact Info
Keep enough emergency
cash in both local currency and a widely accepted international currency. ATMs
and banking systems may be inaccessible during or after an emergency. Carry
backup credit or debit cards if your primary card gets lost, stolen or
compromised.
Ensure your passport,
identification, and necessary travel documents are readily accessible. Keep
them in a waterproof and secure location. Use re-sealable sliding channel
storage bags, like Ziploc bags, to keep items waterproof. Carry a list of
emergency contact numbers, including local authorities, embassy or consulate
contact details, and the phone numbers of your loved ones back home.
Food and Water
Water is essential. Ideally, you need a gallon
a day per person. No one could carry that much with
them, so you’ll want to have water treatment supplies to purify and filter
water. You can boil water, use chlorine and iodine, or a UV light
purifier. Pack an aluminum cup and a tough, lightweight plastic water bottle,
like a Nalgene bottle, for water.
Add high-calorie food
with a blend of protein, fat and carbs. Energy bars like RX Bars or LARABARs
are good choices. Bouillon cubes — either veggie or meat stock — have a
two-year shelf life. You’ll be able to stay hydrated and have a small amount of
nourishment, and the warmth of broth is a morale booster. Pack
multiple fire-making devices – like a lighter, matches, or fire starters – for
warmth, signaling, and boiling water. Store them in a waterproof bag.
Navigation and Tools
Mistakes can be made
no matter how well you know the area or terrain. Include navigation tools like
a GPS device, a map and a compass. Include a small,
powerful flashlight with extra batteries and a headlamp since it leaves your
hands free. Including a multi-tool, like a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman, and
a plastic camping spoon is a good idea.
First Aid
A stripped-down first
aid kit includes essentials: a Sam splint, some Ace bandages and gauze pads of
various sizes, a tourniquet, and a compression device that could be a lifesaver
when stopping blood flow. Remember to include adhesive bandages, antibiotic
ointments like Neosporin, lip balms like Chapstick, and similar things for
smaller injuries that could worsen if left untreated.
Toss in a few N95 masks to
prevent inhaling dust, ash or any other particulate matter caused by the
emergency. Remember to pack over-the-counter and
prescription medications you take regularly. Add a small supply of pain
relievers, antacids or decongestants to your first aid kit.
Clothing
and Hygiene
Pack a change of clothes matched to the
season. Include rain or warm weather gear based on
your location. Space blankets made of lightweight Mylar are easy to pack
and can double as a reflective device. Consider your location and choose
the most appropriate type of glove. Work gloves in case you have to move debris,
and another pair for warmth, waterproofing, dexterity, durability, and
usability.
Sewer and water utilities may not be in
service during an emergency so include moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage
bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation and hygiene. Add a compact toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste.
Mistakes to Avoid
There is no such thing as a “one-size fits all”
comprehensive Go Bag. If you try to prepare for every possible circumstance,
your Go Bag will be too big and heavy. It’s crucial to stay informed about the local emergency procedures and
listen to instructions from local authorities during an international
emergency.
Taking these precautions will enhance your safety and preparedness
when traveling internationally. If your emergency kit is well-equipped, then your
ability to get through a complex emergency will be more successful.
*The author, Harding Bush, is a former Navy SEAL and security
operations manager for Global Rescue, the world's leading medical, security,
evacuation and travel risk management services provider.
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