Emergency care while traveling

To avert an emergency while traveling, you need to prepare for it. Fortunately, however, this is not difficult and can make the difference between life and death. Here are some things you simply must do in an emergency.

Pack a first aid kit: Prepare a first aid kit, consisting of Gauze, antiseptic, germicidal hand wipes, Band Aids, Steri-strips, first aid tape, blister care items, gloves, tweezers, thermometer, duct tape, analgesics, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal medication, motion sickness medication, personal medication, antibiotics and antibiotic ointment for minor cuts and scrapes, Epinephrine for allergies, Augmentin for skin and ear infection, birth control pills and asthma medicines. Also, ensure that you have had your vaccinations and malaria medicine. With this, you are ready to make your journey.

Invest in medical insurance: Buy a good travel and medical insurance policy before leaving home as abroad medical treatment can come at a price. Doctors advise travelers to invest in short-term travel insurance so that if you are in need of medical care abroad, your doctor can contact area doctors and get you the best hospital care.

Be ready for the worst: Oh, you’ll get over gastric problems, hangovers and headaches, but what about serious stuff like losing a limb in a road accident while traveling on a rented scooter or motorbike? If you have anything more than this such as an internal injury or a fall or more, it will mean heading back to your home country immediately-particularly if you are holidaying in a country where the hygiene and medical care levels aren’t up to much. If you are insured, your insurer will want you home to rest and recuperate, so add on trip-cancellation insurance to your medical coverage.

Go in for a local doctor: If you erred by not taking travel insurance before leaving home, you’ll have to pay for it big time when abroad. If you’re holidaying in the U.S., Canadian, U.K. or Australia, the embassies here can give you a list of good English-speaking doctors and hospitals. When abroad, you will have to pay for medical care in cash and often, your regular insurance will not pay for treatment outside your home country.

If caught in an emergency: If you are in a life-threatening emergency, phone 911 or your local emergency number or ask someone to do it for you and to take you into the nearest hospital’s emergency care facility.

What are emergency medical conditions? An emergency medical condition is one in which the patient’s symptoms are so severe and uncontrollable by lay people that he needs immediate medical care to avert anything serious like death or the impairment of a vital organ. These conditions include:

  • Immediate symptoms of pain
  • Unconsciousness
  • A heart attack or stroke
  • Unstoppable bleeding
  • Possible damage to vital organs or overall health
  • A choking sensation or difficult breathing
  • Burns or deep cuts
  • Broken bones
  • Chest pain
  • Seizures
  • Poisoning
  • Shortness of breath

Don’t worry, if caught in an emergency. But have your wits about you to avert such a situation when traveling.