With recent news that 18 year old gap year student Sam Woodhead was recently found in Queensland after a three day search, it’s important to remember how to stay safe if you’re travelling around the world on your gap year.
1) Insurance
Wherever you choose to go, it’s absolutely compulsory that you get insurance for any mishaps along the way. Yes, it might seem expensive and you may well think it’s a waste of money if nothing happens to you. But if it does, then you will be very, very thankful you had insurance. To strip it down to its very basics, insurance means that wherever you are in the world and whatever goes wrong, you will always have financial security which can aid you in the complexities of being abroad. Insurance is expensive, yes, but student-oriented companies such as Endsleigh offer policies especially suited to their customers.
2) Keep in touch
Once you arrive at your destination, it’s probably a good idea to invest in a SIM card from that country as it will make calls vastly cheaper. It’ll also be incredibly useful if you’re in a tight spot and you need an emergency contact. Remember to check if your mobile phone has roaming services available before you leave the country, and if you’re going somewhere to let someone know.
3) Water
Sam’s mother claims that the reason he survived in the 40 degree Australian heat was through a small amount of fluid found in his case. “His father had packed boxes of contact lenses in his rucksack in an outside pocket and he’d forgotten to take them out. He lived on the fluid of the contact lenses,” she says. Admittedly it’s often difficult to find safe, purified water abroad so ensure that your first aid kit includes water purifying tablets – and if not, pack some.
4) A safe place for money and personal items
The vast majority of crime isn’t actually violent; it tends to be more pickpocketing and theft, so it’s essential that you prevent easy reach of your items. Putting them on easy display means an easy theft so lock them up – for this reason, it’s probably wise to invest in some sort of round-the-waist money holder. Your passport and money are worth a great deal more in some countries than an annual salary so it’s important to keep them in a place that only you can access.
5) A personal alarm
Regardless of what language you speak, a loud alarm signals danger and will get people’s attention. It must be emphasised that these aren’t just for women.
6) Other travellers
When you’re all alone in a new environment, you will immediately turn to something that’s familiar to home – in this case, it may well be a fellow English speaker. If you stick in groups then your security risks are reduced and you will be able to communicate easily, should any trouble occur.
It’s very rare for stories like Sam’s to occur and he has since admitted that “It was probably a couple of stupid things on my behalf.” But nevertheless just remembering a few simple survival strategies could very well save your life.
Tags: gap year
