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.

• https://www.acrartex.com/support/registrations/

▢   Identify target country emergency contacts, US embassy information, etc.

• https://www.usembassy.gov/

▢   Register with US State Dept. Travel service.

• https://step.state.gov/

▢   Ensure needed immunizations are up to date

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

▢   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

• https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html

▢   Get foreign driving permit (even if not planning on driving)

• http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

▢   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