Overland travellers face a plethora of risks that often go unnoticed. In this article, we will discuss risk management for overland travelers. Overland novices often ask, “What do I need to embark on an overland journey and be safe? “It’s a good idea to think about how well you’ll be prepared for your vacation before you go, so this is an excellent question to pose. To address this, we must first examine risk management.
Risk management for overland travelers, the possible dangers in your planned operations and establishing control measures and strategies to reduce the problems. However, it all begins with a risk assessment. Knowing how to evaluate risk in the context of security and emergency management is essential.
The article solely covers the fundamentals of risk assessment concerning a personal trip. Organizational leadership requires more formal assessments, and the outcomes are documented in written form. Furthermore, an overseas vacation will have much more preparation and attention than a local excursion.
Risk management for overland travelers is a process that involves taking the necessary precautions to reduce the risks associated with travel. It also includes learning about the country’s culture and laws to avoid problems during the trip.
- Preparation for the trip begins with investigating prospective dangers and their possible repercussions. Putting your thoughts down on paper is a big help. Ask yourself, “What if?” while you compile your list of potential hazards.
- Determine the risk of each identified hazard; this is the possibility that damage caused by a particular chance is realized. You grade the danger in terms of likelihood (likely or unlikely), severity (minor harm, serious injury, or death), or level (low, medium, high) (low, medium, or high).
- Your risk mitigation plan is the last step; these are the measures you’ll take to lessen or eliminate some potential dangers.
By completing this easy evaluation, you better understand what training and equipment you’ll need for your trip. Your ability to distinguish between actual and perceived risks improves with practice, so you’ll find it more straightforward as you acquire more knowledge and experience. Risk management for overland travelers is vital to ensure safety and peace of mind.
The Dangers and Recommended Solutions
- Hypothermia-inducing circumstances in the area. It would help if you packed for the worst weather you can foresee on your vacation, so be sure you have the right gear. You monitor the temperature by using a smartphone app or satellite communication equipment.
- A well-stocked first aid box with additional medicine in case of an allergic reaction or other medical emergency is necessary before a trip.
- Keep your feet safe on the trail by wearing proper footwear, no flip-flops.
- If there is an emergency, there is no mobile phone service. Bring a satellite phone with a two-way texting capacity to communicate.
- Going camping or trekking with everything you need is possible even if you are separate from your group. Risk management for overland travelers includes assessing the risk level, selecting appropriate gear, and staying on track with your itinerary.
- Camping or trekking will not cause problems if you get separated from your group.
- A car gets stuck. Bring a recovery kit and ramps for 4WD recovery training ahead of time.
- Bring a booster cable or a booster pack if your battery runs out.
- Before the departure date, do a pre-trip car check and pack a basic tool kit.
- A car goes on fire (if you’re having a horrible day). Bring a fire extinguisher and a bag of survival supplies.
When things go wrong, you’ll need to maintain your composure and use your judgment to keep yourself and others safe. It’s important to remember the acronym STOP whenever you’re faced with a complex scenario. If you are lost, this is the most excellent advice but applied to various techniques.
What if you’re in a Dangerous Area?
Regarding risk management for overland travelers, there are always two sides. On the one hand, it’s essential to have enough money if you need emergency medical care or even evacuation services. On the other hand, it’s important not to spend too much money unnecessarily because if you’re in an area with low crime rates, you’ll be fine without spending too much on your trip.
To get an idea of how risky something is, ask around. It is because everyone’s risk tolerance and worldview differ. To assess a destination’s danger accurately, ask individuals who’ve been there or are presently living. Travelling in an armchair style might be discouraging for a variety of reasons. That’s all you need to remember.
Try to blend in as much as possible when you arrive at your location. As a “wealthy tourist,” you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded places. Your valuables should never be left out in the open. It’s essential to convey self-assurance and a sense of purpose while walking, even if you’re completely lost.
What this means in practice is that you don’t want to expose any weaknesses. Remember that it’s not like every terrible man in the region is out to get you. Always have a backup plan if things don’t go as planned. Risk management for overland travelers is something every traveller needs to learn.
Make sure you’re as discrete as possible if you need to look at a map. Never Park in such a manner that it’s challenging to get out in case of an emergency. Wearing anti-theft clothes helps protect your belongings from even the most persistent pickpockets.
Passport holders that are worn around the neck are a little too noticeable. As a traveller, I like trousers with side zippered pockets. I can fasten the zippers with safety pins and store my passport and wallet in each of them. If you want to go to a high-risk location, I strongly recommend taking some security awareness training from experts specialising in this area. Your travel companions and you should develop a “playbook” that outlines what to do in different scenarios. Your passport, visa, and other essential documents are stored safely.
Conclusion
Risk management for overland travelers is a must-read for anyone who plans to travel abroad. Be sure you’re in the correct direction if you have concerns regarding risk management and readiness as an Overlanding enthusiast. Vehicle-supported adventure travel and outdoor activities carry a degree of inherent danger. My goal is that this knowledge will help you better prepare for your next overland journey. Remember the importance of being ready to deal with the unexpected as a traveller first and foremost.
