National Geographic Logo - Home
    Courtesy of Live Prepared
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    An Emergency Checklist for Travelers

    This handy guide will help you stay safe wherever your travels take you.

    Published February 28, 2017
    • 4 min read
    This content was written by and is brought to you by our sponsor. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic or its editorial staff.

    Carefree traveling doesn’t mean caution-free traveling. Emergencies can, and often do, occur while you are on the road and far away from home.

    A Premium Gear Kit from Live Prepared keeps all the emergency gear you could need in one backpack for easy transport. But what if you didn’t bring it with you? Even though sometimes checking a full-blown emergency kit with everything you’d need to ride out a catastrophe might be a little overkill, there are some basic items that can easily be kept on hand. As well, it’s smart travel planning to figure out ahead of time where you can acquire emergency goods while you’re away. The same goes for medical services.

    Use Local Resources

    When you’re overseas, the nearest embassy or consulate is a great resource for all emergency planning and services. Many credit cards also may offer emergency services as perks for members. It’s worth checking your cards benefits program.

    Google Shopping and Yelp offer mobile users filters to help find local businesses offering products and services. Obviously having items shipped during times of trouble likely won’t work, but knowing ahead of time which local stores carry emergency supplies can be super helpful.

    Water is Life

    Water is probably the most important commodity in an emergency. Water bottles with purifying filters are easy to pack and take along (they come standard in Premium Gear Kits from Live Prepared), and are actually a smarter option than plastic water bottles that won’t make it past security checkpoints anyway. Another good thing to know is that drinking fountains are highly regulated in most places and can provide safe, clean sources of water as well. (Mobile apps have even been developed to assist you in finding a drinking fountain nearby.)

    Food is Key

    Food is often the trickiest and most cumbersome product to find or keep stored while on the move. The proliferation of tasty meal bars puts a lot of this worry aside. The military tactic is to utilize perishable food first, and then consume food that lasts longer; this is a great approach when traveling too. When it comes to emergency food, remember that it’s all about calories to give you energy: between 1500 to 2000 calories per day for women and between 2000 and 2500 calories per day for men is recommended. Nutrient-dense foods pack a lot of calories into small items, so they’re ideal for travel. Take at least a few Live Prepared emergency food pouches with you-- they’re easy to carry and prepare.

    Gear Essentials

    A small combination keychain-whistle-flashlight can also come in handy in a number of ways. Whistles are critical tools to let people know where you are. Avalanches while skiing or landslides while sightseeing might leave you out of sight. Whistles can alert responders to your location, or can be used to call for help to assist others. Flashlights come in all sizes, and when the lights go out, even the tiniest source of light can lead to safety. Keeping a small pack of waterproof matches in, say, your toiletry kit, isn’t a bad idea either.

    Stay Connected

    Since communication is all-important during emergencies, mobile phones are likely the best life-saving device you can own. Not only can they serve as radios and sources of information, you can load them up with apps from alert-services to shelter maps. Be sure to check with your mobile provider to see if you’ll have service in the country you’re traveling to. Roaming charges can be expensive, but a high phone bill is worth it if it keeps you safe.

    Also, you can make use of technology by uploading prescription medicine information and keeping copies of important documents such as passports on your own secure cloud server as backup can keep them within download reach no matter where in the world you are. An easy way to scan these documents is to simply take a picture.

    Don’t forget an extra charger.



    Read This Next

    Meet Mexico's 'forgotten panda.' She's the last of her kind.
    • History & Culture

    Meet Mexico's 'forgotten panda.' She's the last of her kind.

    Her name is Xin Xin, and she's one of only three pandas in the world not owned by China. But these may be the final day's of Mexico's half-century panda love affair.
    What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.
    • Animals

    What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.

    DNA found in honeybee hives show that each city has a unique microbiome—and that could have big implications for human health.
    Is melatonin giving you nightmares?
    • Science

    Is melatonin giving you nightmares?

    The dosing in these popular over-the-counter sleep supplements can vary wildly from what’s printed on the label, which can result in side effects. Here’s how to use it safely.
    Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?
    • Animals

    Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?

    When sevengill shark carcasses with pectoral tears and missing livers began washing up on the South African coast, questions abounded. Then a marine biologist found something: orca tooth impressions.

    Legal

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your US State Privacy Rights
    • Children's Online Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    • About Nielsen Measurement
    • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    Our Sites

    • Nat Geo Home
    • Attend a Live Event
    • Book a Trip
    • Buy Maps
    • Inspire Your Kids
    • Shop Nat Geo
    • Visit the D.C. Museum
    • Watch TV
    • Learn About Our Impact
    • Support our Mission
    • Nat Geo Partners
    • Masthead
    • Press Room
    • Advertise With Us

    Join Us

    • Subscribe
    • Customer Service
    • Renew Subscription
    • Manage Your Subscription
    • Work at NatGeo
    • Signup for Our Newsletters
    • Contribute to Protect the Planet
    • Pitch a Story

    Follow us


    National Geographic Logo - Home

    Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved