Pre-Deployment Checklist
▢ Identify emergency contact person, confirm their willingness and ability to support.
▢ Register ACR rescue beacon with NOAA.gov and relevant destination country authorities.
▢ Identify target country emergency contacts, US embassy information, etc.
▢ Register with US State Dept. Travel service.
▢ Ensure needed immunizations are up to date
▢ Determine travel insurance needs (kidnap, death/disability, extract, etc.)
- https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/health/insurance-providers.html
- https://www.travelinsurancecenter.com/eng/tools/products.cfm?cat=am
- https://www.bellwoodprestbury.com/individuals/cover-for-individuals/
- http://www.worldescapade.com/en/our-insurance/reporters-without-borders-insurance
▢ Get prescriptions for any recommended emergency medicines
- Malarone (anti-malaria)
- EpiPen (high risk allergies)
- Ciprofloxacin (stomach anti-biotic)
▢ Ensure passport and visa requirements are met
▢ Get foreign driving permit (even if not planning on driving)
▢ Ensure currency, credit cards, and ATM needs are covered
- due to counterfeiting abroad, many in-country currency exchanges will only accept brand new US $100 bills or new $20 bills. Best to bring a mix.
- some countries ATM networks will not connect with US banks (or ATMs don't exist)
- some foreign credit card machines require chip AND PIN not often provided by US cards
- ideally bring some foreign currency with you when departing US
▢ Establish communications plan
- determine if phone and carrier work in destination country, may need to "unlock" by calling carrier before
- bring cheap international GSM phone, acquire SIM in-country
- bring sat phone or communications device https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/
- establish a minimum check-in schedule with your emergency contact (daily, when moving locations, etc.). Make clear escalation steps and timeframes for loss of contact.
▢ Print key phrases, learn basics of language and culture
- https://www.dliflc.edu/resources/products/
- http://fieldsupport.dliflc.edu/productList.aspx?v=co
- https://wikitravel.org/en/List_of_phrasebooks
▢ Print physical copies of relevant maps
- hotel, embassy, operating area, intended destinations, etc.
- https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=3/10.75/-8.70
▢ If traveling with smartphone, download offline maps and dictionaries
- highly recommended: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand&hl=en_US&gl=US
- example: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=offline%20arabic%20english%20dictionary&c=apps&hl=en
▢ Make three photo copies of documents and information, provide to emergency contact person, carry with you, leave at home/office in safe place:
- passport
- ID
- prescriptions
- immunizations
- insurance
- proof-of-life questions and answers
- destination country and US embassy contact information
- hotel and/or in-country points of contact
- instructions for contacting
- travel dates and expected contact schedule
- maps
▢ If carrying smartphone, scan copies of the documents above and store on phone, ideally encrypted