What to Do/Not Do During Catastrophes

There are too many variables to manage in advance. Transportation, weather, violence, etc. Take a deep breath before acting and gather as much quality information as possible. That combined with instincts works for me.

It is true Bruce - there are so many variables. I'm trying to make this the same line of thought as with other things I prepare for, i.e. what if I break my leg ... get sick ... lose my passport ... get mugged ...etc. But it doesn't seem like that's possible. At the same time, is there a way I can reasonably prepare?

We always have all of our important documents (passports, extra credit cards, plane/train tickets, etc) with us in a money belt. If returning to the hotel is not possible, so be it. We'll be able to cope without suitcases, clothing, and toiletries. Being without the documents would be much more difficult. We also have the locations and phone numbers of U.S. embassies / consulates (as well as other important info about medical insurance and such) in our phones.

It seems in the event of rioting &/or terrorist attack the best thing one can do is return to their hotel. Stay away from the areas directly involved and listen for official direction.

I too am one who keeps important documents & money with me.

The recommended action steps if you believe you are in a terrorist situation are: Run (away from the situation), Hide (if you believe you can't get away from the threat), Fight (if you have no choice). This may seem like an over the top suggestion, but it's worth reading this brochure from the Department of Homeland Security on dealing with an active shooter just to help inform yourself.

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/active-shooter-how-to-respond

I know this sounds paranoid and I have not spend 2 months in one spot, but when I travel I always have my passport and money with me in a money belt. I want to be able to get to an airport or train station and get away if there is an unsafe situation, even weather related. (editing to add: Others typed faster than me. I am glad I am not the only one!!)

Have travel insurance that pays for medical evacuation in case you have a medical problem that turns out to be longer term and you need to be back home.

Passport - probably the easiest of the group. As others said, know where the US embassy is located. Show up and they will re-issue you a passport.

You are going to have a wonderful time!

Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Benefits of Enrolling in STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

Count me as one that always keeps my important items on me, such as my passport and credits cards. There are multiple scenarios that could prevent someone from returning to where they are staying.

There isn't much anyone can do besides stay away from demonstrations or other potentially volatile or dangerous situations, and when in crowded places (Eiffel Tower, etc.) be alert.

I, too, agree with having all your documents with you at all times. I do that. Whenever I enter somewhere, I immediately determine where the exits are located (I was taught this as a child so it is not necessarily terror related). Likewise on a plane I count the number of seatbacks to the exit. (Is it any wonder I was connected to Risk Management in my business career? LOL) I sign up for the STEP program when traveling alone and I know the location of the US Embassy, although I might not want to go there depending on the situation. I also suggest downloading the twitter app on your phone or tablet, if you don't have it already, so you can see on the ground information, immediately...once you figure out what the proper hashtag might be. Also, have a contact, elsewhere so people know you are fine, if need be. This doesn't make me paranoid, it makes me feel safer as I know what to do (allegedly).

I think the most likely bad thing happening to you during a catastrophe is you being arrested. Why? Because people don't run and hide but gaze and film the stuff they see. And the latter is an offense, especially when you are filming victims or standing in the way of police and disaster control teams.

So, best advice is, whether it is a catastrophy or a simple car accident. Withstand gazing and filming. Don't do that. Go away. It's not your business at all.

As a west coast person who has worried about the giant earthquake coming to wipe us off the planet, I don't think reasonable preparations for a possible disaster (at home or abroad) are a waste. I ditto the suggestion to register with STEP. I traveled to SE Asia during a time of civil unrest - turned out fine, but I felt better that they knew to look for me if something went awry. As others have mentioned, keep copies of important documents with you (and scanned into a cloud storage device, too). Also have the phone number and email address for an emergency contact person that knows your general travel plan and can be a point of contact for communications. But remember in some disaster situations, cellular phone service and internet may be over burdened or not work at all. If internet/cell works, social media platforms like Facebook quickly launch "check in" features to let you know people you are safe and connect you with people and places of safety. All that said, be aware but not afraid. No matter where you are, there are good, helpful people and law enforcement.

Update your Will and always look on the bright side of life.

I was going to mention "update your will" - many people don't even have one. These days, it's a good idea, no matter if you're travelling or just living at home.
As far as keeping copies of important travel documents and other information on your smartphone...if you lose the phone, or it is irrevocably damaged, what will you do?

Probably would be a good idea to also keep a typed copy of all that info with your passport and other valuables - wherever you plan to keep that stuff safe.

If and when you see something happening, the best advice is "Circulez, il n'y a rien a voir." - (Keep moving, there's nothing to see here." It's not worth it to Twitter your life away.

If you are on a plane that has had an emergency landing and the emergency exit doors are opened and the slides are activated, DO NOT ATTEMPT to get your luggage from the overhead rack!! (You actually shouldn't have anything in your hands going down the slide).

This should be common sense. As my nana used to say, common sense is a flower does not grow in everyone's garden.

@Elaine: I love your grandmother's saying! Thanks.

Here's some great advice from a thread started a few months ago.

Have a great trip!

Elaine, I like your grandmother's quote! :D

Thanks everyone!! Sorry, I didn't see the post from a couple months ago.
I enrolled my trip with STEP (I hadn't registered a trip since 2011 (hangs head in shame)), and I also downloaded the SAIP app for France. Does anyone know of similar apps for Morocco, Spain or Italy?

Help others help you: Register your trip with the U.S. consulates. Give family members or friends at home a detailed itinerary with addresses, phone numbers, and websites. Keep your medical insurance and emergency contact numbers with you. Carry your passport.

Prepare to help yourself: Get medical insurance and carry the card. Carry copies of your passport seperately from your passport. Know where the nearest embassy is and how to get there. Always have cash, a credit card, and a debit card with you. Know how to get back to your accommodations at all times. Always have a local map. Know how to say help in the local language. Carry the information necessary to cancel your credit cards separately from your credit cards.

Then have fun and don't worry too much.

Will: the purpose of a will is to supersede state (or whatever) law that governs dispersement of your assets after death. If you are OK with the default dispersement laws there is no special need for a will. If you prefer one sister gets grandma's silver and another sister gets guardianship of minor children then a will is valuable. Perhaps more important than a will is to designate beneficiaries for retirement assets because that keeps those funds out of probate.

Since I have spent about 3% of my life on the road and have never needed emergency planning, nor have I ever heard if anyone who did, I take a relaxed "what me worry approach."

"Since I have spent about 3% of my life on the road and have never needed emergency planning, nor have I ever heard if anyone who did"

I guess it depends on what you did for a living. I was a hospital social worker and worked ER and ICU among other units. I obviously did not see terrorism victims but over the years I worked with many people who did not have their ducks in a row for travel or extended stays (ie snowbirds who came to West Central FL for the winter ).

Therefore, I plan for the worst and expect the best.

If I had to give one general piece of advice to cover any catastrophy, it would be know where the exits are. An exit can be the hatches on a plane, the doors that get you to deck on a boat, a back entrance to a restaurant, a side street, etc. Having an awareness of where you can exit puts you ahead of about 99.9 percent of the crowd in any emergency.

If you have a smartphone, know how to access the flashlight quickly. On an iPhone simply drag your finger from the bottom of the screen to the top of the screen and press on the flashlight icon.

everyone should know first aid / CPR.

"Therefore, I plan for the worst and expect the best." Good advice, Pam! I have learned (and been reminded of...) a lot of good information here.

Yes, one bit of advice given by my employer is when in an hotel count
the number of doors from your room to the various fire exit stairs
(not the lift). and, obviously, know the directions.

Keith, great advice. Thanks.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! Some of this things I have honestly never thought of, and I appreciate the best piece of advice: to enjoy myself!! I'm not too concerned about a will (I have medical directives and health care agents in cases of emergencies but not a will) as I'm sure my parents could easily figure out how to divide my $50 savings account and costume jewelry :) Honestly, my biggest fear is the emotional impact of such incidents. There was a fatal shooting at my job a few years ago, and as a result I was later diagnosed with PTSD. So my hope in preparing myself is so that IF something happens, I can have the wherewithal to handle myself appropriately. It's only a result of recent events in Europe because I never felt this way about it before.

As a side note, all of this talk of exits and what not reminds me of Bourne Identity (I'm a HUGE Bourne-y) when Jason is preparing Marie to enter the hotel lobby (count steps to middle of the room, head count, number of employees, security, etc...) and she ends up just flirting with the front desk guy to get what she wants :)

I'm sure my parents could easily figure out how to divide my $50
savings account and costume jewelry :)

LOL