FOUR WAYS TO STAY SAFE IN A CROWD

Student Travel is an adventure, but like any great adventure, it comes with an element of danger. The best reasons to take a trip to somewhere new are also the same reasons to be smart and careful.

Global Rescue’s security and medical personnel, many of whom are military special operations and special forces veterans, have years of experience analyzing and dealing with threats and dangers of all kinds. Check out their advice to help you keep yourself safe while you see the world.

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Whether you’re going to a soccer match in a big stadium or checking out a show at a popular concert hall, you will definitely be able to find some fun at large-scale venues while you’re abroad. But big events mean big crowds, and it’s easy to find yourself lost or in danger when something goes wrong. Here are some tips for before, during, and after a visit to a large venue.

Do your homework. Before you go to a concert hall, stadium or other venue with large crowds, browse the

event venue’s website. Look specifi cally for the rules and guidance section – what’s allowed and, more importantly, not allowed inside the venue. If you are with a group, identify two potential “rally points” where you can gather if you are separated. Cell phone service might be disrupted, especially if there’s an incident, so fi nd two spots that are easily found from a distance, well-lit, and not impacted by the crowd.

Stay together inside the venue. If anyone in your group is leaving their seat during the event,

they should do so in at least a pair. Tell others in the group that you’re leaving and be specifi c: “Jane and I are going to get another pretzel from the vendor outside zone M420, we’ll be back in 10 minutes and have our phones. We’ll let you know if we get delayed.”

Expect the unexpected. Enter the venue with a charged phone and consider taking a spare external

charger as well. Prepare to walk longer distances than anticipated and be able to walk quickly or run. Wear comfortable shoes – not fl ip-fl ops. You could be walking and waiting for long periods. Also, should an incident take place that requires the evacuation of the venue, it may not be possible to take the most direct route back to your transportation.

Understand incident response. If there is an incident, and unless you’re in imminent danger, stay

where you are and take all instructions from competent authority. Avoid rushing to an exit and getting caught up in a large and panicky crowd. If you’re forced into a crowd, stay near a wall and walk purposefully. Use your predetermined rally points to collect your group; having the additional point outside the venue will be helpful in a forced evacuation if authorities do not permit waiting at an inside rally point.

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Carry smart. Before you go out, separate your valuables and leave the things you don’t need in

your room (as long as it’s secure). Take only the money you know you’ll need, and separate that into small denominations scattered among different pockets so you can avoid showing all of your cash at once. Try not to carry a wallet or purse, and if you do carry a wallet, double-wrap a rubber band around it to make it harder for someone to pull out of your pocket.

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SIX WAYS TO STAY SAFE IN THE STREETSBeing in an unfamiliar place can be a challenging and intimidating experience. There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t encounter criminal activity when you travel. However, there are steps you can take to stay as safe as possible without sacrificing the experiences you want to have while you are abroad.

Know your enemy. Criminals often seek out people who appear to be weak and vulnerable. A

person who is traveling alone is a much easier target than one in a group. Same goes for someone who looks like they don’t know what they’re doing or how to fit in. People who are handicapped or intoxicated often become targets of opportunity for those looking to take advantage of a foreigner, and women similarly are often targeted abroad.

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Be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are and where you’re going at all times. This

starts with your planning; familiarize yourself with streets and landmarks before you go out into a new place. A traveler that is constantly checking a map and looking confused is an easy mark for those who wish to do harm or work a scam. If you’re lost or confused, find a café or shop to step into and get your bearings.

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Be vigilant about vehicles. Taxis in foreign countries can be just as dangerous as the streets

on which they drive. The safest taxis are the ones you pre-arrange yourself or through your hotel, rather than one you hail in the street, and a taxi with a passenger already in it is an invitation to trouble. Try to use taxis that have working meters, but if that’s not an option, negotiate a price with the taxi before you start moving. Motorcycles can also be sources of trouble, as their easy maneuverability make them a prime choice for thieves and other criminals, and they are frequently used by gangs for criminal attacks.

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Stay clear of obvious trouble. If you see a fight, a riot, or someone being arrested, move quickly

away from the scene. Robbers and scam artists will often stage a fight or argument to draw attention and distract you from their true intentions.

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Stay calm in a crisis. If you are approached by someone who wants to rob or mug you, stay

calm, cooperate and surrender your valuables. They are replaceable; you are not. If you are being followed, walk briskly, indicate to your pursuer that you are aware you are being followed, and find either help or a public area.

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Be smart around the police. If you see a heavy police presence, move away as quickly and

inconspicuously as you can – they may not be able to distinguish you from someone causing trouble, and riot police in many countries are not known for their restraint.

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WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S CIVIL UNREST

When you travel, anything can happen, and even the smallest protest, in even the most civilized-seeming area, can turn into a very dangerous situation. Here’s some advice if you travel to an area that might be embroiled in conflict.

Avoid the areas affected. This may seem like obvious common sense, but the easiest way to

survive civil unrest is to stay as far away from it as you can. However, you can’t avoid the conflict if you don’t know where it is. That means planning your travel routes before you embark, and knowing where potential hotspots might be. Some protests are announced ahead of time. Innocuous events like a major sports celebration can become riots in the blink of an eye.

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Stay on the periphery. If you are caught in a protest or other conflict, keep to the edges of the

area, preferably with a wall on one side. Walk, don’t run, and try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Avoid alleys and other areas that can become chokepoints for the crowd.

2.Once clear, get to a safe place. Keep an eye or ear on local media for more information, and keep

your surroundings as safe and secure as you can.

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If you can’t move, hide – intelligently. Shelter in an established building like a restaurant, museum

or hospital, and wait for the situation to calm down. All the while, try to find an exit that takes you away from the trouble.

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If you’re in a vehicle, keep moving. Stay on the horn, and do not stop for anyone – especially

not to let someone in. Be prepared to leave the vehicle behind if it becomes a focal point or you can’t move it any further. Avoid driving at or near the police.

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You shouldn’t be afraid of danger when you take your education abroad, but you should be smart. Use this advice to see the world – safely.

Global Rescue has provided travelers all over the world with medical advisory and evacuation services since 2004, with more than 15,000 missions completed including many involving students. Before you or your child studies abroad, make Global Rescue a part of your travel preparation.