| Accidents, hazards,
first aid, alcohol, drugs, fire, emergency |
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Do
you know which medicines you should take with
you on your travels?
By accessing the interactive
part of this web site you can obtain a list of
all the medicines necessary for your trip.
Whether you are going on a holiday to a beach
resort or a full blown expedition to some remote
location.
However
long you will be away or however many people will
be in your group, wherever you are going and whatever
you are doing, you can obtain your own customised
list.
To access this special service:-
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| Accidents
& Hazards |
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Accidents
and injuries account for a significant
number of health problems for
travellers abroad.
Most deaths in travellers relate
to what they do rather than what
they catch.
Up to a third of all reported
medical cases are due to avoidable
accidents.
All travellers should take out
health insurance to cover accidents
as well as illness and should
check that emergency repatriation
expenses are covered. |
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| Accidents
commonly occur on the roads,
when swimming and during sporting
activities such as skiing, climbing,
rafting, cycling, etc. |
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ALCOHOL
& DRUGS
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 The
risk of an accident occurring
is exacerbated by alcohol. It
is easy to drink too much alcohol
in a hot climate. Locally brewed
drinks are often stronger than
one might expect.
 The
possession of illicit drugs in
some countries carries very severe
penalties.
Don't be tempted, it's not worth
it. |
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A sense of excitement induced
by travel to exotic locations may lead
to normal safety precautions being overlooked.
This is exacerbated by alcohol.
Being aware of any possible risks
and avoiding predictable injury should
always be the traveller's first priority.
 Hotels
in some countries may be built to
poor standards and have inadequate fire
escapes. You should always check to
see where the emergency exits (if any)
are located. Gas and electrical appliances
may in a dangerous condition. Balconies
and staircases may be unsafe.
Fire is a significant
cause of death and injury abroad. In
many countries, fire regulations are
slack or non existent. Never smoke in
bed and ensure that cigarettes are properly
extinguished. Remember, smoke inhalation
can also be fatal and the best way to
avoid it is to crawl low under the smoke.
 PERSONAL
SECURITY
To
reduce any risk of mugging travel
in groups, avoid remote areas after
dark, use a torch, keep on the move,
carry an alarm or an anti-personnel
spray (may be illegal in some countries),
wear modest clothing, do not display
wealth.
Many areas are not safe to wander
around at night, including those that
look safe by daylight. While driving
consider locking your car doors at stopping
points especially at night in isolated
areas.
Be aware of political unrest.
Up to date information is available
from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
on line. Do not rely on information
from local residents.
In some countries, producing
cameras, tape recorders etc. in sensitive
areas such as near airports and railway
stations can result in arrest on suspicion
of spying.
 ROAD
SAFETY
Road
accidents are responsible for more
deaths amongst tourists than any of
the diseases mentioned on this site.
When crossing the road remember
the traffic may come from the opposite
direction to the one in your home country.
Drivers in many countries do
not observe pedestrian crossings or
traffic signals.
e.g. in Bangkok you
are likely to be run over on a zebra
crossing if you treat it like you would
in the UK and expect the traffic to
stop for you.
TRANSPORT
Whilst
receiving wide publicity, accidents
in the air and on ships are extremely
rare. Some airlines are safer than others
(published data available). Ferries
in developing countries are often overcrowded
and carry inadequate safety equipment.
 Trains
and buses are often overcrowded.
You should think twice about taking
an overloaded up-country bus and avoid
local habits like travelling on the
roofs of trains and busses and jumping
on and off while they are moving.
Motor vehicles may be poorly maintained.
Check over any hire vehicle very carefully
for mechanical defects especially brakes
and tyres.
When you are driving, always wear
a safety belt, strictly observe speed
limits, traffic lights and signs. Never
drink and drive.
Local drivers may not observe
traffic rules but you always should.
Remember, in some countries they drive
on the right, it is easy to forget.
Be very careful on potholed and
non-tarmacadamed 'dust' roads which
can become badly eroded from continual
exposure to the elements.
Scooters and motorcycles are
frequently unstable on poorly maintained
roads and those riding have very little
protection in the event of an accident.
Always wear a safety helmet.
 WATER
HAZARDS
Alcohol
and swimming do not mix!
Beware of fast moving tides and currents,
especially the undertow from waves in
deep water where even strong swimmers
may find it difficult to get back to
the shore.
Avoid swimming alone. Swim in approved
places when there is a beach patrol
or lifeguard service. Always wear proper
life jackets when taking part in certain
types of watersports like sailing, windsurfing,
canoeing etc. Sunburn is common and
may be unexpected since the swimmer
is kept cool by the water.
 Avoid
using airbeds or inflatable dinghies
in the sea. If there is an offshore
wind they can easily been blown a long
distance off shore. If this happens
the scenario is often panic, jumping
off, exhaustion and hypothermia. Invariably
it is better to stay 'aboard', try to
attract attention and await rescue.
Water is the home of some very
dangerous creatures like crocodiles,
hippos and sharks. Sea creatures like
urchins, jellyfish, molluscs or fish
may be unexpectedly venomous. Be aware
of local dangers.
 Do
not swim immediately after a big
meal when cramp is more likely to occur.
Low water temperature can induce hypothermia.
This can be rapidly fatal - within minutes.
Both the sea and inland deep
water lakes may be very cold even during
hot summer months.
Visibly dirty recreational water
in pools, lakes and rivers especially
in the tropics should be avoided. There
is always a danger of contracting water
borne diseases like shistosomiasis or
leptospirosis in these areas.
Foot injuries on beaches are
common in those not wearing shoes.
 OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
Pursuits
such as scuba diving, mountain climbing,
white water rafting and hang gliding
can be dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings.
Additional insurance may be required
for these and similar activities.
Get physically fit in advance
of your trip. Do not be over ambitious
- make sure you are fully trained for
the degree of skill required.
 Avoid
excessive fatigue - accidents often
occur before lunch and in the evening.
Keep
up your carbohydrate and fluid intake.
If you are travelling in mountainous
areas become familiar with the terrain
and the hazards involved, including
avalanche potential. Use
guide books and local maps when available.
Observe adverse weather warnings.
Do
not 'economise'
on protective clothing, boots and safety
equipment.
In
snow conditions watch out for skiers
and snowboarders. It is your responsibility
to avoid skiers in front of you.
 Consider
helmets for younger skiers and snowboarders.
Skiers should learn to fall correctly
and to release your ski stick before
it causes skiers thumb!
Serious
injuries
that may require a blood transfusion
can be of concern where HIV screening
of blood products is not universal.
Skin injuries can lead to tetanus
and therefore, ten yearly boosters of
tetanus toxoid are advised before travelling
to many countries. |
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