People embark on expeditions and adventures for fun, excitement, and an unparalleled experience – but safety should always come first.
Keep family and friends up-to-date with your travels by regularly checking in via apps that make this possible! Avoid posting live updates about your journey as this could expose your location to unscrupulous individuals.
1. Know Your Limits
An adventure trip may require physical exertion, changes to environment and diet, new challenges and increased risks. Travelers should understand their own limits before planning an excursion and consult a physician regarding participation.
If a doctor approves of travel, he or she should review each person’s medical history and reassure travelers that their expedition matches their skill, fitness and experience levels. Furthermore, advice must be given regarding special precautions or equipment necessary for wilderness and expedition trips; ATTA recently issued COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for three popular adventure activities with plans to create additional ones by July’s end.
2. Wear the Right Gear
When embarking on an adventure trip, it’s essential that you wear and pack appropriate clothing and gear. Furthermore, follow all instructions from your guide or safety instructor and pay attention to your gut instincts; these have kept humans safe for millennia!
Adventure travelers exert themselves physically, increasing caloric and fluid needs. Without adequate food and fluids, illness may arise, most commonly heat/cold related ailments, dehydration, insect bites and more (Edgar, 2001). For your own health during an adventure trip it is wise to bring extra medication should any delays or travel changes arise – for your own wellbeing as well as that of others! Vaccinations and medications should always be carried with you on adventure travel adventures as a safeguard.
3. Be Prepared
Accidents can happen in an instant. Even minor injuries and illnesses may become life-threatening if in the wrong place at the wrong time. Adventure travel often increases your chance of an accident occurring due to extreme conditions that limit access to definitive healthcare solutions.
Make sure that you pack everything necessary for your adventure before setting out, including a medical kit and travel insurance that covers adventure activities.
Make sure your home is secure by storing away yard tools or any items that could be used as ladders to break in, and don’t advertise travel plans via social media – this may alert criminals that you are away.
4. Know What to Do in an Emergency
No matter how careful we may be, accidents do happen, even when you go bungee jumping in Pennsylvania. Therefore, it’s essential that you know what steps to take if an emergency arises when away from home.
Know where the nearest doctor or hospital is and whether your destination has medical facilities that can meet your particular needs and how to access them. Involve your travel company when discussing any health concerns you might have; this way, they can assist with finding ways to address them while on the trip.
Now is an ideal opportunity to review and revise your emergency plan as needed.
5. Know the Rules of the Road
Every year, millions of travelers participate in adventure travel activities that may be dangerous and require specific skills or equipment. A physician can encourage travelers who plan to embark on such adventures to discuss them with trip organizers to better understand how their company manages risk mitigation procedures; discuss emergency evacuation procedures; gain details regarding emergency guide experience and medical training; type of equipment used for each activity, contingency plans in case of weather hazards; obtain recommendations regarding medications and health screenings before they set off.
ATTA has also issued guidelines for safe trekking, biking and rafting adventures during COVID-19’s health warning period to restore confidence in the industry. They can be viewed here.
6. Know Where to Turn
Always travel with two copies of your passport, travel insurance policy, credit cards and ATM details – one with family or friends back at home and one in your luggage, out of plain view.
Though no risk-free travel experience is entirely possible, taking certain steps will reduce exposure and allow you to enjoy all that adventure travel has to offer! Be sure to do your research prior to booking and remain street smart to stay safe out there!