When disaster strikes: survival tips for travelers

The recent earthquake in Haiti is a reminder that disasters can occur anywhere at anytime.? It’s not always possible to ‘be prepared’ and in those instances, having some knowledge of safety and survival tips could be vital. This article looks at how travelers can safeguard their own health and safety in an earthquake / disaster affected area.

If you have access to a working phone or the internet:

• Make contact with family, friends & your local embassy and let them know that you’re safe.

If you are injured or become ill

• Contact your travel insurance 24-hour medical assistance
  service as soon as possible, they’ll guide you through what to do next.
  Follow their advice to the letter.
• If you’re not covered under a travel insurance policy, seek
  attention at the nearest medical clinic or ask for directions to your
  nearest embassy.

Beware of the environment:

• Avoid downed power lines and disaster-caused hazards. Use
  battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas
  lanterns or torches. Following a disaster there may be rapidly moving
  water that can also carry infections. Disasters resulting in massive
  structural damage can also result in exposure to chemical or biologic
  contaminants (i.e asbestos).
• Do not return to your hotel / accommodations, or any
  building, if they are in any way damaged as aftershocks could cause a
  collapse.
• Move to the nearest open area (oval, park) away from damaged buildings, trees or roads where powerlines may have fallen.

Keeping Safe:

• Disease can spread very quickly post disaster, so ensure you
  protect against injuries and infections by wearing sturdy footwear.
  Tetanus is a potential health threat for cuts and grazes.
• Frequent hand washing helps keep germs at bay. (If a traveler
  becomes unwell within six weeks of returning home and has fever, rash,
  respiratory illness or any other unusual symptoms, advise a physician
  of having just returned from a disaster-affected region.)
• Drink only bottled, boiled or disinfected water. For more information refer to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/).
• In the event of diarrhea, replace lost fluids with clean drinking water or oral rehydration solutions.
• Keep close tabs on personal belongings, passport and money.

Getting out:

• Follow all advice from either your medical assistance service
  and/or local emergency service team and authorities to move to safe
  zones or transport to take you to the airport for evacuation.

Chris Noble, General Manager of WorldNomads.com says…

“Being
caught in the middle of a natural disaster is both terrifying and
confronting, but it’s also the one situation where you need to remain
as calm as possible. Help those around you if able, take every
precaution to avoid placing yourself at further risk and follow all
directions from emergency services”.

Read more from WorldNomads.com to help keep you travelling safely. WorldNomads.com – an essential part of every adventurous traveller’s journey.

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