Adventure Travel – How to Protect Yourself
Adventure travel is becoming more popular than ever before. Thrill-seeking travelers journey to remote locations to explore and take part in adventurous activities. Some of these may include base jumping, wing suit flying, bungee jumping, fun activities at a high ropes course, hiking and mountain climbing in remote areas, zip lining, extreme scuba diving, getting up close with wild animals and marine life.
As fun and exciting as these activities sound, as with any type of activity, comes added risks when traveling internationally. If you become ill or injured in a remote location you could face a challenge finding the high quality of health care you may be accustomed to. If you’re in a remote location, it may be impossible to travel by land to the nearest medical facility if you become injured. You may need the assistance of an air medical transport service. If there are no airports or landing strips where you are, you may need to be evacuated out of the location using an air ambulance helicopter.
As an adventure traveler, several things you can do will prepare you for the likelihood of a medical emergency prior to leaving on your trip. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends that you visit your doctor several weeks in advance of your departure. Discuss with your doctor where you are planning to travel, your planned activities and whether you will need any vaccinations. (more…)