Are you traveling overseas soon? You need to read this!

The proverbial risk management “Black Swan” is becoming a real threat to more people as the frequency of terrorist attacks increases. Attacks over the last few years and the most recent one in Paris, have illustrated that they can literally take place anywhere in the world when people least expect to be targeted. 

This poses a dynamic risk for recreational and business travellers alike, but the approach to mitigating these risks is much the same for everyone. 

The responsibility of proactive preventative planning and the management of the traveller potentially being exposed to an attack must be taken seriously. 

While there is no precaution or reaction that can 100% guarantee the safety of a victim of an attack, there are a number of preventative steps that can be taken to improve the chances of survival. 

If all preventative measures have failed, the best chance of survival is based on the individual’s ability to avoid becoming panic stricken. Keeping calm, assessing the situation and then making the right decisions at the right time is critical. To achieve this, planning and preparation is required. 

The following tips should be considered to reduce traveller risk and mitigate the risks posed by being caught in an attack.

• Prior to departing, the traveller should familiarise themselves with the security situation relevant to both the country as a whole and the specific area that they intend to visit.
  
• Be aware of personal medical needs and ensure that the “access to care” required is available at the location of the planned visit. 
  
• Based on the known local security risk, the traveller should psychologically prepare themselves for dealing with a potential attack. Regardless of the level of planning done, if the individual is not mentally prepared, they are unlikely to be able to react favourably.
  
• At all times carry a discrete mobile phone with an international roaming capability. Ensure that the phone is pre-programmed with both local and international emergency numbers.   
  
• Keep others informed of your itinerary and intended movements and make daily communications with a point of contact at home. 
  
• Subscribe to and understand the workings of an effective travel insurance policy to ensure that access to medical care and evacuation will not be a problem if required.
  
• Ensure that you always carry both travel documents and a means of identifying yourself, on your person. A discrete armband worn that would not be of interest to a criminal should be able to identify you in the event that you cannot identify yourself.    
  
• Where possible always rely on trusted in-country local knowledge when planning trips and booking transport, regardless of whether you are going across town or across country.
  
• Whether you are on holiday or on a business trip, it is vital that you are continuously aware of your surroundings. Monitoring your surroundings and the people in your proximity will feed your intuition. Trust your “gut feel” as criminal and terrorist attacks can be, and have been, averted by the intuition of by-standers.
  
• Try and avoid identifiable markings on travel bags and or clothing, especially markings from countries currently involved in conflict zones like flags, slogans etc.

• If practical and possible, familiarise yourself with the entrances and exits of the venue that you are visiting. 
  
• As far as possible remain calm - pre-trip psychological preparation will make this easier.
  
• In case of gunfire or explosion drop to the ground and remain there until it is safe, then immediately vacate the area via a safe route.
  
• There may be multiple explosions and/or gun shots, which usually result in glass shards and debris that may cause injury  
  
• A personal decision must be made as to whether you will run, hide, fight or potentially do all three. 

• The capability and intent of the attacker
  
• Your proximity to the attacker 
  
• The need to help others who cannot help themselves
  
• If you cannot effectively evacuate from the area, hide as best you can.
  
• If possible barricade yourself in a hard cover room that will serve as ballistic protection against assault rifles. Concrete or brick and mortar walling is ideal.  
  

• Contact local emergency services and inform them of the location and nature of the attack. 
  
• Contact your travel coordinator or family back home and inform them of the situation
  
• If practical, assist other victims of the attack.
  
• From a first aid perspective concentrate on stopping bleeding, keeping open the airways of injured victims and providing assistance where necessary. 
  
• The last resort is to fight for survival with whatever means are available. 
  

As previously stated there is no guaranteed precaution or reaction that will ensure survival in an attack. Avoidance is the best option - but if this fails, physical and mental preparation is what will most likely enhance the chances of survival in the event of an attack.  

If you would like more information please contact Rodger TrueBody ([email protected]) or Wynand Pretorius ([email protected])