Health Information

As I have been in at least 10 overseas hospitals or clinics and been in an infectious disease isolation ward, For the  Traveler:

1. Check your insurance coverage well before you go and look into evacuation coverage

2. Automobile Accidents cause the most deaths in the United Sates as well as overseas so: * Use Air or rail transport when possible,  * Use Public Bus Transportation next,   * Higher a driver from a reputable hotel  * DO NOT DRIVE  YOURSELF,  * NEVER EVER TRAVEL at NIGHT By ANY Form of Transportation especially by car

3. Accidents – non motorized:  Many people ( especially from the US ) that travel expect activities to be hazard free just like being in the US- do not think this is the case.  This feeling of safety and the taking of additional risk can lead to serious accidents.  I have had a total of three people die while in the same area or on the same trip as me- I went up to pick the body up on a mountain and my friend Chris will tell you what it is like to be covered in blood retrieving a body – not cool when blood is streaming down your face:  The deaths: HACE death on Tharoung Pass @ 18,000 feet,   MI death on Kilimanjaro,   MI and hypothermia on Aconcagua and another death from blood loss from an anti-personal mine in Cambodia document by Russell Gordon.  So be reasonable and cautious on your adventures. Also avoid being out late at night at BARS always a great place to get robbed or credit card stolen.

4. Infections :  They come in many forms- Viral, Bacterial and protozoans or single cell and worms:  I have contracted: Hepatitis A, Dengue Fever, TB never presenting, probably Typhus, Giardia and hook worms as well as the normal stuff as well.  So I would: * not have unprotected sex unless you want a lasting relationship with an uninvited guest,  *only drink bottled or treated water do not drink out of streams especially in Asia,  Only eat well cooked foods and

4.5 * get these vaccinations: Flu,  MMR- Measles-Mumps-Rubella,   TDP-tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis,   Hepatitis A&B,   Oral Typhus/Salmonella,  polio,   meningitis,  pneumonia,  Rabies:  especially for the long term traveler

5. Wound Care and Treatment: I had a foot infection that went badly in 24 hours almost requiring a foot amputation.  Especially in a warm, moist and dark environment like a foot wound in the tropics, a wound (could be as simple as a mosquito bite or blister) has the potential to go septic quickly. Therefore, if you have a wound: (1). Irrigate the wound immediately with a warm high concentration salt solution and make certain to get any foreign particles out even if it hurts, (2). clean the area moving in circular expanding circles away from the wound with an alcohol base liquid and aply a betadine solution around the wound and dry the area, (3)  Cover the wound and if possible give the wound a few days to granulize in.  Putting an open wound back into a warm and moist shoe is inviting infection as I can attest to.

6.. Take an aspirin for long flights and high altitude adventures.

7Become certified in wilderness medicine or at least know what to look for concerning infections and how to treat certain infections.

8.. Carry these drugs:  Oxycodone for pain,   Keflex for skin infections: 500 MG * 2 per day for 8 days,   Zithromycin 2 * 5 day pack for bronchial infections,   Cipro 500 ML *2 per day for 7 days or doxycycline for- gut infections,  Wormwood for anti-malarials, antibiotic cream,  advil,  oral re-hydration pills, thermometer and bandages

6. Know if you are you allergic to any medication especially antibiotics

7. Stay away from bars (especially Tourists BArs) late at night especially if you are drinking: these areas are prime for pick pockets, scam artists, potential spots for robbery, ladies can get drugged leading to rape.  Plus police can shake you down. If you go go with a trusted friend and make certain you leave the bar early rather than later.  The friend that you met in the bar is not a friend I am talking about he might be a part of the scam.

8. Passport Health is the place to go before you leave

 

9.DANGERS

In areas that are know to be trouble like Afghanistan or in cities with high crime like Quito or Mexico city, remember to trust your instincts.  If something does not feel right, look right or a person does not act right leave that scene immediately. Don’t do stupid things like being a flaming drunkard, loud and brassy. Do not go out late at nights especially to bars and especially to bars that cater to tourists especially in an impoverished nation or in a red light district.  Be invisible.  Try to maintain a low profile and don’t be a DICK and always maintain control of your emotions and mind.  Don’t drive and don’t drive at night and try not to travel at night except by air or on trains.

Non State Political Kidnappings.  An example is a Taliban kidnapping of an American. These are the most dangerous situations of all and usually the one kidnapped will end up dead like Dan Pearl who was beheaded. In the typical scenario, the attackers try a very fast and violent kidnapping on the street or a takeover of a vehicle or an abduction in a hotel room and the individual is taken by surprise. If at all possible, try to assess your situation and if you think you have the ability to escape in those early moments on the way to the vehicle waiting to take you away then with all of the violence possible, try to escape in the first few seconds before your are secured by the enemy. Guns:  If one can secure a gun and one is familiar with guns then use it to your upmost ability taking out everyone without remorse. This will require the ability to make split-second decisions and a rapid and a precise application of lethal force. Basically this is a high-intensity conflict, characterized by sudden violence at close range.  If you gain control of a gun, hopefully you know what kind it is, how it works,  how to chamber a round, how the safety woks,  how to load a magazine, how to cock the weapon,  how to kill and can you kill a human being without freezing.  If a gun is used, go for the center of the body not the head, be slow and meticulous in your work.  If you gain the upper hand get away immediately. If one is kidnapped and is secured in a remote location, maintain your mind and create a plan of escape.  When the opportunity arises use all the violence one can find because basically you are going down.  Now if one is lucky to pull this off, then hopefully you have planned how the hell you are going to get away from the area of conflict to a safe haven.  Time, distance, food, water, the environment and being able to blend in with the locals will factor in to your survival. If you get out you are lucky. If you are going down it is better to go down taking out some of the enemy as well- bastards.

State Political Kidnappings/Remanding:  An example is the three Americans that are in jail in Iran because they crossed the border from Iraq into Iran.  In a normal situation these kids would all have been freed.  But due to the Americans arresting five Iranian diplomats in Arbil, Iraq for over three years this is the Iranian;s response.  This is a better situation than non state kidnappings/remandings.  These kids should eventually be released but for them it might seem a very long time.  The key here is:  if you are from a country that is in war or close to war or at diametrically opposing views like Iran and The United States, it would not be a great idea for an American to Visit Iran and definitely not a great idea to cross borders illegally into the opposing state- Those Kids were stupid to even get close to the border and quite honestly they look like intelligence officers– what kind of person goes to a war zone that is difficult on its own (other than me) and then goes to a restricted border area ( that is difficult) and then crosses over into a country that we are at odds with on two diametrically opposed positions all illegally – it just does sound, smell or look right. Do not do this, it is not fun and games.

Non-State monetary kidnappings:  An example is the FARC kidnappings or the War Lord Era 1990-1996 in the Pakistan tribal areas. There was a bounty of $100,000 and up from FARC kidnapped victims and a $20,000 bounty for kidnapped foreigners when I was in the tribal areas in Pakistan in 1990.  This has the potential to be bad but not like the political kidnappings.  Now if one is kidnapped for money (do not loose control of the situation, don not cry, scream- maintain control even if abused). As long as the kidnappers get their money then usually but not ll the times every thing is usually ok.  Again, if you can assess the situation and you feel comfortable trying to evade, then with all the violence and speed possible get away before being secured in the very few early seconds.  But if you are kidnapped then try to remain calm even in the long term and hopefully they get their money and you get released. Remember to try to develop a plan, totally remain calm and in control and if things are not going well and the opportunity presents itself (if you feel that things are going badly) then when the opportunity arises use all the violence one can find. If one can secure a gun and one is familiar with guns then use it to your upmost ability taking out everyone without remorse. This will require the ability to make split-second decisions and a rapid and a precise application of lethal force. Basically this is a high-intensity conflict, characterized by sudden violence at close range.  Now if one is lucky to pull this off then hopefully you have planned how the hell you are going to get away from the area of conflict to a safe haven.  Time and distance and food and water will factor in here as well as the unknown surrounding. If you get out you are lucky.]

State Arrests/Jailing: If one is approached by a police officer (in a developing country) for speeding, drugs or whatever – maintain your cool, do offer a bribe but in these words, very politely ask if you can pay the fine now Always Always Always ask to “pay  your  fine  now” and no matter what the cost, pay it with a smile and give a small tip.  These are my stories: (1) A speeding ticket  could have cost me 4 airline tickets, a night in jail and an angry wife, so my $140 dollar “TIP” to the police in Nicaragua (expensive) was a welcome relief and everyone was happy- the police officer, the Travers family and the Travers’ Guests. (2) My illegal border crossing into Burma could have been a nightmare but the $80 dollar “TIP” to the officer that busted me was a very inexpensive way out.  (3) The “TIP” to the Military in Burma for violating the curfew in Rangoon and taking pictures of the Military installation there was a great success for everyone- my camera did not get confiscated, I did not go to jail and I got on the plane out.  (4) The “TIP” to the Indian BSF officer for over looking the alterring of my passport documents and allowing me access into Sikkhm was a big success for me and his family,  (5) my  ” TIP” to those people in Kyrgystan for the “interior Ministry Permit for a BSF restricted area was very successful.  One of the greatest TIP stories is (6) for a tip of $40 I opened a closed border post crossing after hours that is awesome and in another town in the same country I made some good decisions for clearing customs, I can not go into details here except everyone won here.  It is to soon to mention the border crossing on the last entry as I do not want the officers to get into trouble. Never ever loose your cool.  An example of doing a very bad thing is: In Thailand three guys were busted for smoking opium and the police just wanted a small sum. So the young men went back to “pay their fine now”  The one American blew his cool and said he was turning them in because the “fine ” was to high.  That boy disappeared.  do not argue, do not loose your cool, be respectful, always show respect, offer to pay your fine and get away and never complain. Whatever the fine is– with a smile humbly give the police the money.  Never raise you voice and do not argue.  Be friendly and thankful no matter what the cost of that fine.  I can assure you going to jail, being remanded, paying for a lawyer and court costs, loosing your job, buying airplane tickets and getting raped in Jail is your nightmare.  So always offer to pay the fine now, give it humbly and with a smile and be very thankful and get the hell away from there. If you are remanded, call or have the police call the Embassy immediately, get a smoking good lawyer, use every contact possible and somehow try to settle the case as fast as possible, the money does not matter. Remember also, a car accident that results in a death from drinking in some countries like China can be a capital offense: do not drive overseas.

Robbery: This has the potential to go badly if you react badly especially if the person has a gun.  Guns are bad for you so, basically give the robber what he wants and do not fight back.  What is a few thousand dollars versus your life plus he still gets the money – he wins if he kills you where by if you live the loss of money is insignificant.

Responding to Violence with Violence:  This is always a last resort.  Most of the time this should only happen if you feel your life is in jeopardy and there is no way out. Normally you will loose and it will be your life.  So try to develop a plan and when you feel it is the right time put in to use with all the violence you can manage. If one is familiar with guns and can secure a gun then use it to your upmost ability taking out everyone without remorse. This will require the ability to make split-second decisions and a rapid and a precise application of lethal force. Basically this is a high-intensity conflict, characterized by sudden violence at close range.  Now if one is lucky to pull this off, then hopefully you have planned how the hell you are going to get away from the area of conflict to a safe haven.  Time and distance and food and water will factor in here as well as the unknown surrounding. If you get out you are lucky. Better to go down taking some of the enemy as well- bastards. If you gain control of a gun, know before hand, what kind it is like: a bolt action, semi-auto or fully auto, know how to chamber a round, how the safety woks, how to kill.  Go for the center of the body not the head, be slow and meticulous in your work. If you gain the upper hand get away immediately.

Some interesting Tips:

Always remember camouflage passports and $20 in US currency and to always offer to pay the fines no matter how expensive imediately. The words should be “would it be possible to pay my fine now sir”’ Also remember a smile and a few words of kindness in their language goes a long way