Your Travel Overseas – Make It A Safe Trip

Planning a holiday or a travel trip to an overseas destination is a long awaited and exciting event for a lot of people. But for some travellers, a travel overseas can turn into a nightmare when they become ill or get involved in an accident.

An appropriate travel planner is necessary to have a safe trip.Plan everything in advance so you won't face any unwanted mishaps later on.

Take time in researching your holiday destination, accommodation and tours to minimise the bad experiences and to keep safe.

Before you book accommodation and tours do a research on the internet and check websites where they publish reviews by real travellers. Also, check the government’s travel website for up-to-date information and travel advice.

Things You Should Do Before You Travel

1. See Your Doctor

• Visit Your Doctor 6 to 8 weeks before departing to get specialist travel medicine advice.
• Take your itinerary with you if you are travelling to different countries.
• Also take your vaccination records and be aware that some countries have certain vaccination requirements.
• Your doctor's choice of vaccinations will depend on the destination you are travelling to and your personal medical history.
• You may also need to see your specialist if you have any chronic medical problems.

2. Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance costs little compared to the costs you will encounter in case of an accident or illness.
Read the policy and try to understand what the insurance excludes (such as acts of civil unrest, self-inflicted injury or pre-existing medical conditions). Declare any pre-existing medical conditions in the application. Get a comprehensive insurance and make sure it covers at least the following:

• trip cancellations and flight delays
• air evacuation home
• treatment in overseas hospitals
• accidents
• loss of possessions

If your government advises you not to travel to certain destination, your insurance may not cover any incidents that happen when you're in that country.

The Potential Risks

• illnesses related to food and water (eg. traveller's diarrhoe)
• illnesses transmitted by insects (eg. malaria) and animals (eg. rabies)
• sexually transmissable infections
• environmental hazards and accidents
• deep vein thrombosis from inactivity while on planes
• dangers from buildings which are not properly signposted
• animals in tourist areas

Carry A Medicine Kit With You
In some countries, it is difficult to find your own medications. In some areas, there is the risk of being sold fake medicines.

It is always a good idea to carry your own medicine kit with you. This may include regular prescribed medicines such as high-blood pressure tables, cholesterol tablets, heart medicines or any medication that you take regularly to control your condition.
Also it is wise to include in your medicine kit diarrhoea medication, anti-nausea medication and a broad spectrum antibiotic.
medicines such as paracetamol; antacid; laxatives; antifungal creams; antiseptic, bandages, sunscreen, oral rehydration and hand sanitiser, will be very handy to have in your kit.
Also make sure you have some good insect repellent spray in your kit.

Always check the government's travel advice website before you depart to make sure you are aware of all the latest developments.

The following vaccinations are a general indication to some destinations:
Hepatitis A vaccination for all travellers to developing countries.
Hepatitis B vaccination for high risk activities
Typhoid vaccination when travelling to developing countries or the indian subcontinent
Japanese encephalitis when travelling to rural Asia, specially if long term
Yellow febver when travelling to sub-saharan Africa and parts of South America
Meningitis (types A,C,Y and W135) when travelling to sub-Saharan Africa and areas where crowding and remoteness co-exist.
And any other vaccinations recommended by your doctor.

Avoid deep vein thrombosis on your trip
Long periods of travelling and sitting in planes can cause thrombosis of the veins. To avoid this condition, avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine, drink plenty of water, get up and walk regularly, don't wear tight clothing and avoid long periods of sleep.

Avoid Traveller's Diarrhoa
Travellers diarrhoa is caused by poor food handling practices. It can happen anywhere, but it is more common in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and Central and South America.
Try to avoid this condition by always boiling, cooking and peeling all food. Eat freshly cooked, hot food. Don't eat salads, raw meat and raw fish. Choose fruit that can be peeled. Use bottled water only, even when cleaning teeth. Don't have ice in any drink.

If you are a diabetic, make sure you are carrying a letter from your doctor stating that you need the insulin injections, or you may be stopped from taking your injection equipment with you on the plane.

The saying "an ounce of prevention is better than the cure" is an ideal saying when it comes to overseas travel. It is better to be well prepared for unforseen mishaps, as this will help make your trip more enjoyable and less hazardous.

Hopefully this article didn't put you off all those advertised exotic places. You can still enjoy a great overseas holiday if you plan it right.

Here's wishing you a safe and hazzard free travel trip!

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