Setbacks happen, even to the most seasoned among us. Having an emergency preparedness toolkit can go a long way to lessening the impact
Start by visualizing travel mishaps
For inspiration and ideas on what to include in your emergency preparedness kit and what additional measures to put in place, it might help to visualize some common travel mishaps, e.g.,
• airline loses luggage
• lose your wallet to a pickpocket
• all airport ATMs reject your debit card
• experience nausea and diarrhea on a travel day
• child’s passport is missing
• airline cancels your flight
• forget the address where you’re staying
• your travelling companion needs to be hospitalized
Then, ask yourself questions from different angles, along the lines of:
• What measures could I have put in place to avoid this?
• What would I need if…?
• What would others need in order to help me if…?
• What could I put in place for dealing with…?
In no time, you’ll have your own list of emergency preparedness tools.
3. Copy of your passport
Always carry a copy of the information page of your passport. It will last for years if it’s laminated. Carry it in your day bag and use it when a passport is required for purchasing a SIM card, checking into accommodation, or obtaining medical attention. Chances are if someone other than an immigration officer asks for your passport, a copy will do. In countries where corruption is tolerated, you’re less likely to be the victim of extortion if you hand over a laminated copy to someone purporting to be a public official.
A copy is useful in the event you lose or damage your passport and need to apply for an emergency replacement. Before your trip, visit your country’s website for a description of the process. Chances are you’ll be able to have a replacement within 24 hours if you have the necessary documentation and follow the steps involved
4. Emergency contact card
A laminated credit-card-sized card containing emergency contact information takes up no space in your wallet and it will always be with you. Well, hopefully. Laminate a few backup copies for the pocket in your phone case, passport sleeve, day bag, and main travel bag. Leave one with a stay-at-home family member. Perhaps give one to each of your travelling companions or tell them where they can be found. A pack of do-it-yourself laminating cards
6. A connected phone
A mobile phone connected to a cellular network can be a lifesaver in an emergency.
If you have an unlocked phone, monthly plans with generous data and calling features can be had for $30 or less in most countries. For example, a twenty-dollar Vodafone plan in Australia in 2019 came with 45GB of data and a handsome number of minutes of calls to several countries. If you’re staying just a week or two, $30 isn’t much, especially if a phone is needed in an emergency. Research your options before leaving home. The Get Connected section of Too Many Adapters is an excellent starting point. At your arrival airport, you may find it takes just a few minutes to pick up a local SIM card and have your phone activated.
If you have a carrier-locked phone, your carrier will inevitably have a selection of roaming plans and packages. Choose one that’s right for you and your budget.
8. Emergency telephone number
Look up the emergency number of the country you’ll be visiting. Commit it to memory so calling it is a simple swipe and three taps away after turning on your phone. Or, download the iOS
12. External battery pack
Going digital and paperless has its pitfalls. One is losing access to important information if your phone’s battery is drained. Packing printed material is one solution, but carrying reams of paper will likely tip your bag over the carry-on limit.
A portable charger can see you through a long travel day when you’ve relied on your phone for navigation, checking emails, or taking photographs
14. A plan for packing luggage
Is it possible you’ll be checking a bag, or placing it in a baggage storage area at a hotel or hostel? Or it’ll be transported in the luggage hold of a bus or train? If so, visualize losing your bag under these conditions. What you pack in this bag should be easily replaceable with a shopping trip. What can’t be so easily replaced needs to be worn or carried in your personal carry on, purse, or day bag — the bag that’s with you at all times. Identifying what it’ll contain will provide clues on the size and type of your hand baggage.
16. Emergency cash stash
Identify at least two hiding places for your emergency stash. There are various products on the market such as a keychain capsule or pill holder attached to a key ring. There’s even a water bottle with a built-in storage compartment.
Secret pockets in clothing or bags work well. Stop pickpockets with this comprehensive assortment of anti-pickpocket gear has a host of ideas
17. Address where you’re staying
Don’t rely on others to carry the address and telephone number of the place where you’re staying. Picture this scenario: Your travelling companion is a better organizer, or has a better sense of direction. For whatever reason, you rely on that person to get you to and from your accommodation. That’s the same person in the above example — the one with the money and the address (and knowledge of how to get there), as your train departs from the platform. You have no money, and no idea of how to get to where you’re staying.
19. A small LED flashlight
There are many occasions you’ll appreciate a decent flashlight.
• encountering caves
• exploring historic sites
• checking maps or reading street names in dwindling light
• navigating dark streets
• locating dropped items under furniture
• dealing with power failures
• searching for evidence of bed bugs
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