Holiday Emergencies

We all look forward to our holidays, and more often than not, they become a time we remember for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately for some, remembering a holiday can become anything but a happy affair.

Accidents can happen suddenly, while you’re busy making other plans.  It not only pays to prepare as much as possible before you leave for your holiday, but also be aware of what steps you will need to take should an emergency arise while you’re far from home.

What to do in the event of a holiday emergency?

Firstly, let’s take a look at what steps need to be taken before you leave, particularly if traveling overseas:

• You have adequate travel insurance for the areas you are traveling in;
• You have researched the current conditions of the country you are about to enter (this information is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFAT) website);
• You have registered with your local consulate once arriving within the country. This is important if a natural disaster occurs or even if a war breaks out. If the consulate knows you are there, they can get you out.

These steps are important because if an emergency does occur you can:

• Contact the insurance company’s emergency medical services, if it is an emergency of that nature. Most insurers use the MediVac service, which can airlift you out of countries with inadequate medical facilities. Insurance will also pay for medical care in a country that you may not necessarily need to be airlifted out of, but will cost tens of thousands of dollars in medical fees if you are not properly covered;
• Receive help from your consulate should you need to return home;
• Receive help from the consulate should the worst happen. If a loved one dies while on holiday, the consulate can help with bringing the body back home.

What are common holiday emergencies?

While most holiday accidents are not too serious in nature, they can mean the end of your holiday. In the worst case, it can mean having to repatriate a loved ones body back home. Common emergencies include:

• Sports injuries, including fractures, sprains and strains, head injuries, etc. Some of these injuries can mean 6-8 weeks in plaster, which can also mean that you may be unable to fly home. For this reason, travel insurance is vital for any traveller;
• Car accidents are also another common cause of injury for travellers. Unfortunately, many people suffer permanent or fatal injuries from car accidents and this is not surprising, considering the often unfamiliar roads and conditions.
• Crime can also be another unfortunate occurrence while traveling, and this can sometimes lead to personal injury or fatality.

Making sure that you are prepared before you travel is vital to ensuring if an emergency does happen, you at least know how to get assistance. DFAT estimates that each year around 20,000 Australians require assistance, including 700 hospitalisations, 600 deaths and 100 evacuations. Although these figures only represent 0.6% of all travellers, it pays to be prepared for anything.