Posted By Jeff Manion
Best way to protect you is to anticipate the risks and deal with them by pre-planning and preparation.
Before travelling abroad, all employers should ask “Is the trip really necessary?”
Employee should ask themselves “Do I actually need to go?”
Employers should ask “Do I actually need to send this employee abroad?”
Can also have a positive impact on the environment.
Reducing risks at source – ‘video conferencing, electronic mail’.
Employees advised of risks – what does the ‘Foreign and Commonwealth Office’ state on their web page?
Knowing when not to fight back against thieves and muggers could save you from serious injury or worse.
Not to provide self defence training. In general do not meet aggression with aggression. It is better to calm down a situation.
Even if you have a physical advantage – they may have weapons or accomplices.
Could consider the circumstances as a lone worker. Further from home, the more difficult it is to control the situation.
Do not present yourself as a target.
Step back and look at the image you present.
? You may appear indecisive and hesitant due to effects of flight and unfamiliar with the location.
? Jet lag / alcohol etc.
? You may have expensive luggage.
? Wearing expensive suit.
? Over the shoulder lap-top.
Planning.
Pre-book for the first night arrival – minimises travel.
Avoid travelling and searching for accommodation – airport hotels (having names of hotels located nearby).
Pre-arranged meeting at the airport.
Even though booked hotel – they do over book so you need to search further.
Think what you are to do before you pick up your luggage. You will look less unsure and move with more purpose, less like someone new to the country.
Should you keep the best suit in luggage for the business meeting?
Carry lap-top in less obvious bag.
Do you need lap-top, portable data-disks, e-mail etc. Access to clients PC etc.
Even if carrying lap-top it is good idea to have second copy of data – it is the data that has the value.
Other valuables – if you can leave them at home.
The main concern is not theft but personal injury – you may be tempted to fight for an article of personal sentiment where you may hand over cash.
Concealing money may seem an easy option, this needs consideration. Carry the minimum, do not keep it all in one place, money belts etc.
Have change handy; consider buying drink and rummaging through money belt.
Have the right money handy reduces the likelihood of attracting attention.
Do not automatically consider the hotel as a safe place. Take sensible precautions. Lock doors and windows, make sure they do operate, move rooms if at the end of a long corridor, ground floor etc, especially if female.
If you return to room with door ajar, stop and do not enter. You may want to enter, move away and report it to reception / security etc.
It is possible that the room is being cleaned, is there a cleaning trolley outside?
Put yourself in the intruders’ shoes, - escape route blocked, panic, possible violence.
Avoid confrontation must be prime strategy.
Practical steps can include – making noise, do not shout anything, make specific comments “Help, I am being attacked, call the Police”.
Doing something unexpected, a diversionary tactics could include, pretending to vomit, pretending to waving to someone and calling for help.
The key to success is to practice this action; you will react automatically and seem more convincing.
Carrying a personal alarm, this should emit a level of at least 130 decibels as s shrill continuous noise – the penetrating volume of the alarm is crucial. Alarms that sound like cars do not have the same impact as many people do now ignore them.
The main purpose of the alarm is to shock and disorientate the attacker, not necessarily to alert others, they may not want to respond and become involved.
Familiarise yourselves with the equipment chosen, in a situation you need to react swiftly, if you feel unsure carry it in your hand, some can operate when they become separated from your hand.
If possible place as near as possible to the attackers ears, run and do not sop.
Advice.
Some countries will be perfectly safe, provide sensible precautions are taken. Get as much information and advice prior to travelling from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), they provide the best most up to date information.
Situations can change rapidly, this increases risks when sending employees abroad and must be considered, the earlier the information the better prepared.
Anticipate, thinking “what if?” Do not be embarrassed to report anything suspicious to the authorities.
Ensure you know how to use the local telephones, will your mobile work abroad? Have the numbers you need to hand.
At your destination you will find further sources of information, the radio, newspapers, local branch offices etc. They may be able to provide local knowledge.
If there is no branch office, other sources of contact could be business contact through Chambers of Commerce, or other multi national companies. They are likely to have someone who can speak and understand English and have access to other resources.
Even some form of reciprocal arrangements.
Operating a ‘buddy’ system so that someone knows where you are going and when you are expected to return.
Ensure you have as far as possible a pre-arranged meeting point or location to meet should you become separated.
Local knowledge about the culture is highly recommended to reduce the risk of trouble.
Homeward.
It may be tempting to drop your guide as you commence to return. Such as after packing your bags, do not leave them unattended. You may ask the hotel to look after them and later discover something at the customs (leaving and arriving).
Common scams used on travellers.
? Fake road accidents.
? Friendly strangers – avoid going with them to somewhere you do not know.
? Distraction thefts i.e. someone spills something on you and pockets are picked.
? Fake officials will ask to checks passport money etc.
? Short change by taxi drivers.
? Illegal taxis – get the names from the hotel or on arrival at the airport (controlled taxis).
? Bogus tour guides.
? Credit card fraud.
Know Before You Go – Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2001.
? Check the FCO travel advice.
? Check the vaccination you need six weeks before you go – consider extra health precautions.
? Get good guide book and get to know destination, enquire about local laws and customs.
? Travel insurance and appropriate cover.
? Valid passport (good condition) and necessary visas, differences between Arab and Jewish states countries etc.
? Make copies of passport and number, travel insurance, emergency numbers and ticket details leave copies with company / organisation / family.
? Take enough money for trip and back up fund i.e. travellers’ cheques, sterling or US dollars.