Maintain peace of mind while you are working or living abroad—wherever and however you travel.
As an international traveler, you know there are risks. But are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and your belongings? Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers enables you to prevent security incidents and react in life-saving ways during a crisis. This comprehensive manual answers questions such as: Which criteria should you use for selecting the safest hotel or airline? How to deal with corrupt officials? What are special considerations for women, families, elderly, or travelers with disabilities? What support can you expect from your organization and what are your responsibilities?
- Benefit from lessons learned from leading experts and seasoned travelers
- Learn how criminals select their targets and manipulate situations, whether for street crime or serious attack such as kidnapping or terrorism
- See yourself from the local perspective
- Deal with common travel inconveniences and stress factors proactively
- Improve your situational awareness
- Increase your effectiveness by realistically assessing threats
- Make the most out of the opportunities that traveling brings
Tanya Spencer has traveled extensively to high-risk destinations and has trained 1000s of people how to safely navigate the complexities of international travel. Emphasizing prevention, the book covers medical, cultural, and political considerations, so you understand exactly what you must do before and while you are abroad. It provides flexible frameworks, models, and tools that allow you to easily apply the wealth of tips and advice to any travel situation you might face. Before your next trip, benefit from these time-tested strategies for proactively managing travel risks.
Before You Go
Proactively Analyzing the Risks
Threat Assessment
Context Assessment
Situational Analysis
Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
Personal Considerations and Vulnerability Analysis
Business Travelers
Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers
Women Travelers
Travelers with Disabilities
Elderly Travelers
Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers
Traveling Families
Religious Travelers
Building Situational Awareness
Planning and Preparing
Organizational Considerations
Duty of Care
Duty of Loyalty
Political Considerations
Cultural Considerations
Medical Considerations
Insurance
Personal Belongings and Documents
Pack with Security in Mind
"Secret Stash"
Safer Luggage and Belongings
Travel Documents
Information Security: Identity Theft and Industrial Espionage
Identity Theft
Industrial Espionage
Communication Equipment and Procedures
Communication Equipment
Communication Procedures
Communication Contingencies
Airports and Airlines
Transportation
Accommodation
Home Protection
Well-Being: Dealing with Fear, Anxiety, and Insecurity
Worth Knowing, Before You Go: Chapter 1 Summary
References
While Traveling
Understanding the Potential Risks While Traveling
Safest and Most Dangerous Locations: Worldwide Comparison
Murder
Terrorism
Sexual Violence
Kidnapping
Carjackings/Hijackings
Civic Unrest
Information Security
Crime
Corruption
Natural Disasters and Complex Emergencies
Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
Personal Considerations
Business Travelers
Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers
Women Travelers
Travelers with Disabilities
Elderly Travelers
Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers
Traveling Families
Religious Travelers
Implementing Situational Awareness
Preparedness
Organizational Considerations
Political Considerations
Cultural Considerations
Medical Considerations
Insurance
Personal Belongings and Documents
Wallets and Purses
Prioritize Safeguarding Valuable Documents
As You Move About
Information Security: Identity Theft and Industrial Espionage
Opportunistic Threats
Determined Threats
Communication Equipment and Procedures
Mobile Phones
Laptop Computers
Airports and Airlines
Transportation
Walking
Using Public Transportation
Taking Taxis
Renting Vehicles
Approaching Your Vehicle
Driving Around
Parking Safely
Getting through Checkpoints
Accommodation
Safe Residential Living
Crime and Corruption
Snatching
Distracting
Befriending/Confi dence Scams
At Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
Credit Card Skimming
Violent Crime
After a Crime
Corruption
Well-Being: Stress Management
Worth Knowing, While Traveling: Chapter 2 Summary
References
Extreme Risks
Preventing and Reacting to Extreme Risks
Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
Surveillance
Know How to Read the Signposts and Indicators
Know How to Prevent and React
Know How to React if Followed by a Vehicle While Driving
Kidnapping
Basics: Facts, Stats, and Definitions
Motivation: The "Why’s" and How These Affect You
Stages: What Is Happening and Your Response Options
Captivity: What to Expect
Prevention: How Not to Become a Victim
Sexual Violence
Carjackings
Surviving a Carjacking
Demonstrations and Riots
Plane Crash
Prepare for "Best Available Decisions" before a "Worst-Case Scenario"
Choose the Safest Seat, or Can You?
Survive the Initial Impact
Expect a Fire and Get Out
Medical Emergencies
Terrorist Attacks
Analysis Aids Avoidance
Life-Saving Reactions during an Actual Attack, but Prevention Is Still Best
Worth Knowing, Extreme Risks: Chapter 3 Summary
References
Further Reading and Resources
General Preparation: Threat, Context, and Situational Assessments
Personal Preparations, Planning, and Packing
Business Travelers
Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers
Women Travelers
Travelers with Disabilities
Elderly Travelers
Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers
Traveling Families
Religious Travelers
Accommodations
Active Listening Skills
Air Travel
Corruption
Credit Cards Skimming and ATMs
Crime: Street and Violent
Cultural Considerations
Date Rape Drugs
Demonstrations and Civil Unrest
Duty of Care/Duty of Loyalty
Home Security
Honey Traps, Social Engineering, Scams, and Psychological Tricks
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Landmines, and Grenades
Industrial Espionage
Information Security, Identity Theft, and Social Media
Information Security: Recovery Steps for Lost or Stolen Data
Insurance
Kidnappings
Medical Considerations and First Aid
Mobile Devices: Laptops, Phones, and Tablets
Money Matters
Natural Disasters
Political Considerations
Sexual Violence and Harassment
Situational Awareness
Surveillance
Terrorism
Transportation: Driving and Rental Vehicles
Transportation: Public Transportation and Walking
Transportation: Taxis
Transportation Hazards: Accidents
Transportation Hazards: Carjacking/Hijacking
Transportation Hazards: Checkpoints
Well-Being, Stress, and Fear
Index
Biography
Tanya Spencer
Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers provides the perfect mix of lessons-learned, tools, and recommendations from experts so that readers can personalize their own approach to managing travel risks. If followed, the information provided will allow readers to get out and experience the local culture while still traveling safely.
—Bernie Sullivan, Director Global Security, Hanesbrands Inc.
...a must-have for any traveler. Having worked in South and Southeast Asia, I know the advice provided in the book holds the key to keeping safe, avoiding dangerous situations, and managing threats when they occur. The book’s methodological framework, combined with the author’s extensive experience and hands-on knowledge, provide very practical and useful advice.
—Kathrine Alexandrowiz, Independent consultant at Kathalyst, former coordinator for the "Regional Risk Management Project for NGOs in Asia Pacific" (ECHO)
... a go-to guide for all travelers irrespective of mission or purpose. An excellent piece of work.
—Major Avtar Singh, CPP, CFE, CAS, Chairman, ASIS International New Delhi, India, Chapter # 207
This is a must-read book and an invaluable resource for global corporations and international business travelers—those concerned with security and safety issues while working and living abroad. Personal stories from experienced travelers, combined with Spencer’s expert advice, highlight a broad range of critical issues, particularly ways to avoid risk and danger during worldwide travels.
—Christina Fuglsbjerg, Global Mobility Specialist, AS3 Companies
Each of us have individual reasons that compel us to travel—for recreation, for passion, or for our work. Travel security awareness is critical and something that should be ever-present, though that is not always the case. The author provides the reader with an original, easy-to-read book that makes the perils of travel, and how to manage them, understandable even to non-security experts. Happy reading and safe travels!
—Federico Bernasconi, Head of Security, Prysmian Group
In today’s uncertain world, Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers is essential reading for business and leisure travelers the world over. Using her wealth of experience and knowledge, Spencer delivers a highly informative and invaluable guide, presenting personal safeguards and precautions—both pre- and post-departure—that can be taken. A highly recommended read.
—Adrian Shaw, Founder of Expatcompare and Head of Medical & Travel—AAIB; specialist in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and frontier markets