Be safe down south: March Break travel safety primer

Alongside the March Break holiday exodus, there is an aspect of travel that most would rather ignore in favour of balmy beach visions: what to do when things go wrong.

With the recent slew of vacation nightmare stories — whether violence in Mexico or sickness in Cuba — being prepared can assure a less-anxious experience should you or your loved ones find themselves in a precarious situation.

With that in mind, the Government of Canada has put together a guide to healthy travel. (Read the full document here).

Here is some key information from the document:

• Major tourist hotels, including those in developing countries, have in-house physicians who provide medical assistance to both resident and non-resident guests.
• Hotels can also arrange appointments with local physicians.
• Most health-care providers have a fixed fee and will agree to make “house calls” to a hotel room on a priority basis.
• If you need urgent care, the best option is often the nearest hospital.
• Ambulance services are rare in many countries, especially in the developing world, so use whatever form of transportation is available to you.
• Canadian consular services include limited medical assistance abroad.

Consular services for travellers:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has more than 260 offices worldwide, where consular officials can assist Canadians travelling, working or living abroad.

For a complete list of Canadian consular services and more information on planning a safe and problem-free trip:

• visit the Consular Services website at travel.gc.ca.
• check the publication Bon Voyage, But… at travel.gc.ca/publication.
• call 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the United States) or 613-944-6788.
• contact them via TTY by calling 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310; or consult travel information by country online, including health advice offered by the Public Health Agency of Canada, at travelhealth.gc.ca.

In locations where Canada does not have a local office, some Australian or British government offices can also provide you with emergency services and contact the nearest Canadian government office on your behalf.

Before you leave Canada, check the list of Canadian government offices abroad at travel.gc.ca/offices.

If you have a medical emergency while abroad, officials at the nearest Canadian government office can provide you with the following services:

• Supply names of local medical providers and facilities. (Some Canadian embassies and consulates post lists of local medical providers on their website.)
• Visit you in hospital and provide basic translation services if required.
• Assist in arranging for medical evacuation if treatment is not available locally. (You must have
• appropriate travel health insurance to cover the costs.)
• Help with travel health insurance issues.
• Assist you in obtaining financial help from family and friends.
• Make alternative travel arrangements for you, including obtaining visas and other travel documents.

Violence while travelling:

Violence is a risk in many countries. Criminals often target tourists and business travellers, particularly in nations where crime levels are high. Refer to the Travel Reports and Warnings section of the Consular Services website at travel.gc.ca/travelreports for country-specific advice and precautions you can take to reduce this risk.

General travel tips:

• Get a pre-travel individual health assessment from a travel health clinic or your health care provider.
• Make sure you have full travel health insurance coverage for both illness and injury.
• Be prepared to acclimatize to jet lag, altitude sickness, culture shock and the effects of heat.
• Carry proof of your need for any prescription drugs.
• Take precautions with food and water.
• Wash your hands often.
• Be sure to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.
• Remember that swimming in some fresh water poses risks, including exposure to parasites.
• See your health care provider immediately if you become ill with fever within a year (especially within three months) of your return to Canada from an area known to have malaria.

With files from Well On Your Way, A Canadian’s Guide To Healthy Travel Abroad

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