10 Novice and 10 Advanced Operator Tips For Foreign Travel
Novice Tips
Learn a few key phrases in the local language, such as “hello,” “please,” and “thank you,” as well as basic phrases for asking for directions and ordering food.
Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert for anything that seems out of place or suspicious. Avoid displaying valuable items like jewelry or expensive electronics.
Dress modestly and in a way that is respectful of local customs and traditions. To blend in, dress like the locals do; colors, brands etc.
Research the local laws and customs before you go, and be aware of what is and is not acceptable behavior in the country you’re visiting.
Keep a copy of your passport, ID, and important documents in a safe place, such as a hotel safe or a hidden pocket in your clothing and as an email draft in your account.
Be aware of the local emergency number and know how to contact the local authorities. “911” is used in many countries but not all. Find out the number for the country you’re in.
Use common sense, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.
Be aware of the local currency and budget accordingly, and always know the location of your nearest embassy.
Learn about the local transportation options and how to use them, and familiarize yourself with the local area and landmarks. Especially your hotel and vicinity as well as how to get back to your hotel.
Be respectful and open-minded, and remember that you’re a guest in someone else’s country. What may seem strange or exotic to you is completely normal to everyone else there.
Advanced Tips
Research the local crime rate and hotspots, and take steps to protect yourself accordingly. Be particularly aware of pickpocketing and other common forms of theft and petty crime.
Look into local customs and taboos, such as those related to dress, personal space, and body language. Learn how to greet people and show respect in the local culture.
Learn about the local political and social climate, and be aware of any ongoing tensions or potential flashpoints that could impact your safety.
Research the local medical facilities and emergency services, and find out what kind of healthcare is available in the country you’re visiting. Consider getting travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.
Learn about the local food and drink, and take steps to avoid getting sick from unfamiliar dishes or contaminated water.
Learn about the local transportation options and how to use them, and familiarize yourself with the local area and landmarks. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for your phone to make it easier to navigate and communicate.
Make friends with local people, as they can provide valuable insights into the culture and offer suggestions for things to see and do.
Learn about the local weapons possession / carry laws and self-defense criminology, as well as where to procure such tools.
Be mindful of your electronic device security, be aware of any suspicious persons or activities around you, and be prepared to protect your personal data.
Be open to new experiences and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
[INTEL : How to be a Modern Nomad]
![“Survival in any form for any environment is an act of prevention and or recovery, best enacted by preparation.” -Det V Cader The problem with survival prepping is the assumption that you’ll be home when the SHTF, if not then it was all for nothing. This is the solution: Standard “prepping” is the practice of stockpiling pertinent supplies and the training of survival techniques to be used for a possible lifestyle altering, large-scale catastrophe or SHTF event. The typical process is simple; slowly but consistently acquire food, water, weapons and other relevant equipment and store them in a singular central location such as a home or private “bomb” shelter. Just as important but far less utilized is the ongoing learning and practice of survival, defense and use of the prepped equipment. Having everything in one location has one fatal flaw, however. It assumes that you will be at that very location at all times or it will always be easily accessible and nearby to your present location. There’s no way of knowing when or where an “event” will take place. Meaning getting to your home base where all your survival prepping is stored may be impossible due to the nature of an “event”; mass gridlock traffic, land / infrastructure destruction, social panic and violence, restrictive martial law, vicinity containment, active combat / hot zones and public transportation collapse. The average person commutes to work or school 5 days a week far enough that they need to take motorized transportation, public or private. Then there’s leisure, recreation and errands time at other homes and facilities as well as being away on vacation. So all that survival prepping, across town or half way around the world can be lost or seized by another. For more than a decade I’ve been doing the “vagabond survival prepping method” of which evolved from stashing small city-specific go-bags around the world as part of my former operative profession. It wasn’t about survival back then but about professional utility and function. Equipment that wasn’t ideal to equip on my person at all times because of unnecessary baggage or non-permissive locales. As time went by and the more I returned to some of these “prepped cities”, the go-bags that were already stashed became better equipped and for more dynamic use such as urban / wilderness survival. To this day, I manage these hidden go-bags whenever I happen to be in their respective countries. That’s my way of survival prepping while vagabonding. These are located in a growing number of the cities I frequently visit in secure but relatively easily accessible spots such as; under a boulder access in New York’s Central Park, inside a tree stump in the Amazon Jungle and a derelict manhole in Bangkok – all of which have been my active stash spots for years. Unlike typical at-home-preppers, I don’t have the luxury of a long term address so I can’t hand pick the exact items I want off the internet to ship to. But this works out for me just fine as I build / upgrade my kits with readily available materials from the city I’m in. So if an “event” does take place (which will often affect major cities first and most), I’ll have my prep kit close by no matter where I am in the world. Instead of having to rely on a singular base a continent away. Due to the limited opportunity but unlimited variety of goods available while constantly traveling, each go-bag is completely different. Some by design and others by necessity. All are sealed to protect from the elements and hidden but easily “accessible”. Various Kit Items List: Backpack, Duffle Bag or Dry Bag MRE’s, Canned Foods and Vitamins Bottled Water and Energy Shot Water Treatment Tablets Prescription Contact Lenses Kevlar Vest or Shield Climbing Rope and Gear Euros and US Dollars Gold and Platinum Bullion Urban / SERE Kit Wilderness Kit First Aid / Trauma Kit SD Card w/ Data Smartphone Gas Mask Knife, Machete and other Weapons CB and Two-Way Radio Full Change of Clothes Multi Tool and Pry Bar Flashlight and Chemlights Sleeping Bag or Parka Solar Charger Some may consider renting a locker in a facility like train stations or self storage units. It’s not easy to maintain them for years at a time when you’re not even in the country for years at a time. Also, when considering an “event”, it’s logical to expect the loss of power grid and the mayhem in busy public areas. It’s best to stash them where no one will look in an area that won’t be too hectic but not where it will be too difficult to reach with limited transportation options. The vagabond survival prepping method isn’t limited to location independents and nomads, however. Consider your travel requirements of daily life and stash a go-bag in strategic spots accordingly; in your car, near your job, somewhere between your home and work, a friend’s place and near a hangout you frequent. Survival prepping doesn’t end with the acquisition of supplies and equipment, it only begins there and continues on with honing skills to survive and thrive. [OPTICS : Triple Aught Design Pack]](https://myhealthynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Vagabond-Survival-Prepping-FAST-Pack-Litespeed-1-490x550.jpeg)
