Learn what to do in an emergency situation when you are traveling far away from home.
Once again my voice of reason stepped in and suggested that we just take an airport shuttle downtown to our hotel. And when we got there, our reservation was in order and we spent a great weekend in Chicago. If my panic-prone brain had taken over, we would never have had such great experiences, memories and photos.
Travel Tips: What to take with you
Travel guides - Many travel guides have a comprehensive list of possible crises along with a list of effective ways to solve the problem. It is always a good idea to read up before departure, so that you don't have to think creatively while you are out. Bring the book with you so you don't have to try to memorize everything
First aid kit - No matter where you are going, on a wildlife safari or a museum tour of France, when an injury occurs you'll want to be prepared. Different countries, even those that use English on labels, carry different first aid products. The middle of a crisis is not the time to seek out the nearest drugstore and then browse the store shelves.
Translation Dictionary- This will be a huge help if you need to ask a local a question.
Say calm! As you already read, fear and anxiety can really alter your ability to think clearly. Below are tips for thinking through a crisis when you are in a panic.
1) A good place to start is to think, "How would I handle this if I was at home." Would you call the police or an ambulance? Is there a need for a photo to document the incident?
2) Stop as many bystanders as you can until you get the answer that you need. Need to call the police but don't the phone number? Someone else will. Most of the bystanders are probably locals, and since they are familiar with the environment they are your best resource in many cases.
3) Single out a one person to ask for help with one task. If you need one person to call an ambulance while you stay with an injured person, don't make a general plea to a large crowd. Point to someone and ask a specific question. For example point to someone and say, "Excuse me, you in the green shirt, will you please call 911." You will get faster results that way.
4) What do you do when no one speaks the language? Initially, don't be afraid to use pantomime, gesturing, and drawing to help get your point across. From there, turn to the police. A police station may have an interpreter available. Here are a few other places to seek out an interpreter: a university, a hospital, a large hotel, an airport, a military station, a foreign embassy, or a government building. Use a phone book if necessary to track down these places.
No matter what stay calm, don't panic. You are probably not as stuck and hopeless as you think you are.
