Career Break Advice

Safety

Do any amount of research into travelling and volunteering, and you’ll quickly find horror stories – unwary backpackers being mugged, marooned or mauled are standard fodder for news pieces and lurid stories told by colleagues at the water cooler. But how unsafe is a sabbatical really? The answer is, not very – if you’re prepared, alert and careful. Here’s how to stay safe.

Before you go

The best way to feel good about your safety in another country is to properly prepare yourself before you go. Here’s a checklist of important things to think about, look up, shop for and learn:

Research

Possibly the most important and easiest way of staying safe in any chosen country is to research the culture and laws. Grab a guide book, go to your local library, or get on the web and read as much as you can about the country you’re visiting, focussing on history, religion and laws. Make notes on important points of dress (for example, keeping your knees and shoulders covered), cultural idiosyncrasies (such as not pointing your feet at anyone in Thailand) and legal, especially involving alcohol. As an added bonus, if you research your destination you’re also far less likely to suffer culture shock when you get there.

When you do arrive observe everyone around you – watch how business transactions occur, and how people respond to each other, with a view to copying this and blending in with the local population.

Gadgets

Take a padlock with you, so you can lock your luggage to train seats, or in your hotel room. Remember that it’s not foolproof – a thief could still use a knife to get into your bag, but it’ll deter the snatch-and-run opportunist.

Ignore horrible flashbacks of the bum-bags of the 80s and 90s and get a money belt. These are thin, flat pouches with a zip that you wear around your waist, concealed under your clothing. Use yours to store your passport, large amounts of money/travellers cheques/cards and your flight tickets. However, don’t forget it’s also useful to spread out your readies – put some travellers cheques/money in your rucksack, some in your day bag and the rest in your money belt, that way, if one thing goes missing, you’ve always got a back up.

Don’t take your top of the range mp3 player or state-of-the-art mobile phone – not only could it be damaged but it’s a target for thieves. Instead, take older models, or buy cheap versions – they’ll look less impressive, and that’s exactly how you want them! The same goes for your finances – no matter how battered your old phone is, if you decide to discuss your City salary or exactly how much spending money you’ve got left, you make yourself a target. The lesson is to leave your valuables at home, keep your electricals cheap and your fiscal health secret.

Airports and borders

Check your kit – pack it yourself, don’t carry anything anyone tries to give you and make sure your luggage isn’t tampered with. At passport control be confident but respectful and compliant, and don’t make a fuss (ten vodkas on the flight is not recommended). Making sure you have the right papers on you when you arrive at the border/passport control is very important – you don’t want to be apprehended before you’ve even got sunburnt! Be sure you have a valid passport and visa (if applicable) before you leave the country (give yourself several months to sort this out before you travel) and check about vaccination certificates, too – some countries require a yellow fever certificate to let you in. Finally, make sure you’ve got a doctors note for any medications you’re taking with you.

During your trip

Alcohol and drugs

Many countries have different and potentially stricter drug and alcohol laws than the UK, so check. In Islamic countries, for example, drinking can be especially problematic for religious reasons. Similarly, in many countries possession of illegal drugs can land you a long prison stay or worse! Think about it, and use your common sense. Remember too, that the powers of the British Embassy/Consulate wherever you are, are limited – if you get in trouble, you’ll be dealt with under the laws of the country you’re in. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but try and think through every decision by reminding yourself what you’ve got to lose – the trip of a lifetime or your entire lifetime? If you do decide to partake, you must make sure you know exactly how you’re getting home, and that you’ll be safe. Ask yourself – how well do I know the people I’m with? How safe does this feel? Use your common sense before it gets slightly impaired! Finally, just as you would in the UK, keep an eye on your drink – watch it being made and have it with you at all times.

On the streets – pickpockets and muggings

Be alert and don’t allow yourself to be distracted. If someone asks for your attention make sure you keep your hand on your bag. Even if you’re desperate for a shot of you with that charming donkey in a headdress, don’t give your camera to anyone you don’t fully trust.

As in the UK, if you are mugged simply hand over anything they want. This is a situation where your money belt comes into its own, as it should have everything you need in an emergency, and should be well hidden from any potential mugger. To avoid being mugged, try and travel with another person, or, if this is not possible, walk upright and look like you know where you’re going. If you need to read a map, duck into a café or shop – it’ll stop you looking conspicuously unsure of your whereabouts on the street.

Violence, politics, demonstrations

Try not to get involved in any violence or disputes as a traveller. Political demonstrations and other types of protest can also be problematic and you could be arrested along with everyone else, and any recording devices, such as your camera, will almost certainly be confiscated. Gap companies rarely operate in politically unstable countries, but in some situations even small scale protests can quickly escalate into something more serious, so be careful.

On the road

When you’re travelling inside your destination country, as mentioned above, padlock your rucksack, and sit on it if possible (on the end with your towel and clothes in, not the local handicrafts you’ve bought for the mantelpiece back home). If you’re going to sleep, make sure everything vital – passport, return flight tickets, etc, is on you, ideally hidden under clothing or in your money belt. Don’t leave anything for a second, unless you totally trust your surroundings, and even then second guess yourself.

It’s important to make sure your mode of transport is safe. Does the vehicle you’re in have seatbelts that work? Make absolutely sure it’s going where you want to go – ideally, get a hotel clerk or friend to write your destination (or intermediate stopping/changing points) down in the local language/script so there’s no room for error - don’t be afraid to check and recheck that you’re on the right bus, and/or that your driver knows exactly where you want to go. Plan arrival times, then allow several hours extra – try and make sure you’ll never arrive anywhere after dark.

Hostels and Hotels

It’s also useful to know the name of your guesthouse or hotel and be very firm about going there and only there on your arrival in a city. Sometimes, hotels will even send out representatives to meet you. Don’t believe anyone who says your hotel is dirty or has closed down until you see it with your own eyes, and check the name – there might be several hotels with almost the same name in a city or even on a street (the guide book effect), so be sure you’re at the right one. Once you’re at the hotel, or any final destination, let people back home, friends or other travellers know you’ve arrived safely. When picking your room, be sure to note how you’d escape in an emergency like a fire (try and work out two different routes) and if your room has a gas appliance in it, such as a water heater, keep a window slightly open (if safe) to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Finally, when you’re out and about, bear in mind that traffic might be coming from a different direction when you step out to cross the road – simple, but important! As a rule, don’t hitchhike or accept lifts, and keep your wits about you at all times.

Nature

The weather, flora and fauna of the UK are, let’s be honest, pretty tame. We have overcast days, stinging nettles and the badger. The rest of the world, however, has volcanoes, triffids and the Tasmanian Devil! Respect this. A few general rules:

Be careful if you’re in coastal areas - don’t swim in strong currents, or where you might suspect them, or heavy waves – you could get out of your depth quickly, even if you’re a strong swimmer.

Take shelter from storms as soon as you can – hurricanes and tornadoes are not uncommon in some areas.

Check your insurance covers you for any extreme sports, and personally check any sporting equipment you intend to use.

Check out the ‘Health’ page information on animal safety, and more on diseases and injuries.