Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Perhaps that is why our Adventure Travel List is such a big part of the Bucket List Project. It allows us to continually grow while we explore new places. But just because we “sail away from the safe harbor” doesn’t mean we travel carelessly. In fact, it may be engrained in us from our Scouting days, but we always do our best to be prepared for medical emergencies. Now it is impossible to be prepared for every possible medical emergency while travelling, but with a little effort you can be ready for whatever might happen, no matter your destination.

1) Get Travel Insurance for any Medical Emergencies

Purchasing travel insurance is one of the best ways to be prepared for medical emergencies while travelling. It is a great way to protect yourself against any potential issues that may pop up. There is nothing worse than finding out your personal medical insurance won’t cover your visit to a local hospital because you fell off the Mieders Alpine Coaster!

2) Get Your Vaccines

There are some amazing places in the world to visit. However, you may come into contact with illnesses or bacteria that are rare where you are from, like yellow fever. Therefore, it is always a good idea to research what vaccines are necessary before travelling to a certain location.  This will not only keep you prepared for medical emergencies while travelling but will also ensure that you don’t bring any serious illnesses home to your family and friends.

3) Know About Travel Advisories

Research is often the key to avoiding any type of emergency while travelling. This is why using sites like the U.S. Department’s Travel Advisory will help you know which areas require a bit more caution or what are the safest times to go exploring. Also, check the weather! It may seem like a no brainer but reading up on about the weather conditions can prevent you from getting caught in a serious natural disaster. There is nothing worse than catching a cold because you didn’t pack properly for a chilling rain!

4) Have an Emergency Medical Evacuation Plan

Nothing should prevent you from travelling or crossing off those items on your bucket list. However, for those of you who are not in the best of health or are traveling with a medical condition, having a medical emergency evacuation plan is smart. Whether you are on a cruise, a city trip, or a skiing holiday, if you suddenly have a medical emergency you are most likely going to want to get back home as soon as possible. That is why research into medical repatriation is a good idea.

5) Map Out Important Locations

A great way to be prepared for a medical emergency while travelling is to map out important locations like the hospital, police station, or even your country’s embassy! You can’t always rely on your smartphone’s service or battery life while travelling. Therefore, when you arrive at your hotel, ask the hotel staff to not only mark the hotel on a paper map but also these key locations just in case.

6) Know How To Call For Help

While researching the physical locations of important organizations, you should also find and write down their phone numbers. Remember that dialing emergency numbers from your country (ie: 911 in the United States) may not work in another country. Therefore, you should write down and program your cell phone with the best numbers for the police, medical personnel, and someone at your hotel who can help.

7) Carry Extra Copies Of Important Documents

Make copies of your passport, your travel insurance paperwork, and even important prescriptions to carry with you while you travel. This will help in dealing with proper authorities or emergency personnel in case of theft or loss of your original documents. Just remember to keep them organized and safe.

8) Have A Full Supply Of All Necessary Prescriptions

If you take any sort of medication in your daily life, then you are definitely going to want to check your supply before travelling. It is recommended that you review all medications you currently take a week or two before departure. That way, if you’re running low you can contact your local doctor or pharmacy for a refill. The last thing you want is to arrive to your week long exotic beach vacation and realize you only have 1 day left of your vital heart medication.

9) Bring A Travel First Aid Kit

Whether you are a solo traveler, a wilderness explorer, or are just taking a city break holiday, having a simple travel first aid kit could help you manage certain medical emergencies. Just make sure you find a good travel first aid kit that is compact, light weight and waterproof but can still provide you with everything you need for the most common types of injuries you are likely to encounter while travelling.

10) Alert The Right People

Whenever you travel, it is pretty obvious that you should alert your bank, credit card, or cell phone companies. But if you want to be truly prepared let friends or loved ones know your travel plans as well. This is especially important for whomever you may have put down as your emergency contact. That way they know what information the authorities or medical staff may need to know in case of emergency.

Got any other tips that help you get prepared for medical emergencies while travelling? What is the most important thing you do to make sure you are safe while on the road? Let us know in the comments.

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