Dealing With An Injury Abroad

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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Cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages are great ways to enjoy an affordable trip overseas. However, travelers abroad sometimes feel overwhelmed when trying to help once someone in their party is injured.

A minor injury can be self treated selecting items that you pack in your first aid kit or purchase at a local pharmacy. When faced with a more serious injury it is important to seek local medical help.

To locate a doctor, ask at the front desk of your hotel, or at a large hotel in the area, for a recommendation. Doctors can also be found on local U.S. consulate or embassy websites which display lists of English speaking doctors.

When faced with a serious injury that requires hospitalization, particularly in undeveloped countries, either the local U.S. embassy or consulate should be contacted to help arrange medical care, so the patient will be treated appropriately, and if needed, possibly loan money to help the patient gain admittance to the hospital.

To avoid problems when traveling:

• Practicing prevention is the smart way to go. Always wear a seatbelt ...
... when in a car and if traveling in a moped or bicycle, wear a helmet as well as wraparound eyewear.

• Swimming injuries are common on trips and can often be avoided by never mixing boozing and swimming. Do not swim alone or dive headfirst into water if you are unsure of its depth.

• Pack an effective first aid kit at home that includes bandages, antibiotics, and if visiting an undeveloped country, syringes. Make certain you bring your own medications from home vs. possibly unknowingly buying counterfeit or expired medication abroad.

• Before your departure, register at a website called “iamat” (.org) which offers a free service that screens medical clinics worldwide identifying desirable medical facilities where English is spoken.
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