ACCIDENTS
Major leading causes of death in travellers are due to swimming and traffic accidents. You can help prevent them by taking the following
Precautionary guidelines:
- Avoid alcohol and food before swimming
- Never dive into water where the depth is uncertain
- Only swim in safe water, check currents, sharks, jellyfish etc
- Avoid alcohol when driving, especially at night
- Avoid hiring motorcycles and mopeds
- If hiring a car, rent a large one if possible, ensure the tyres, brakes and seat belts are in good condition
- Use reliable taxi firms, know where emergency facilities are
INSURANCE COVER
- Take out adequate insurance cover for your trip. This should possibly include medical repatriation as without it, this service if needed is extremely expensive
- If you have any pre existing medical conditions, make sure you inform the insurance company of these details and check the small print of the policy thoroughly
- If you travel to a European Union country, make sure you have obtained an E111 form before you travel (including a photocopy of the original form). The E111 form is in the T6 leaflet, and after completion, should be stamped at the Post Office. Additional travel insurance is still advised
AIR TRAVEL
It is sensible on any long haul flight to:
- Be comfortable in your seat
- Exercise your legs, feet and toes while sitting every half an hour or so and take short walks whenever feasible. Upper body and breathing exercises can further improve circulation
- Drink plenty of water and be sensible about alcohol intake which in excess leads to dehydration
Further information can be obtained in our leaflet “Advice on travel-related DVT” available in the surgery or here [1] on our website. More specific advice and information on travel-related deep vein thrombosis from the Department of Health website here [2].
SUN AND HEAT
Sunburn and heat-stroke cause serious problems in travellers, but in the long term can be a serious cause of skin cancer. Long term damage to the skin due to sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. There is no such thing as a safe suntan but the following advice should be taken.
Precautionary guidelines:
- Increase sun exposure gradually, 20 minutes limit initially
- Use sun blocks of appropriate adequate ‘SPF’ strength but a minimum of SPF 15. Children under 3 years should have a minimum SPF 25 and babies under 6 months should be kept out of the sun at all times. Reapply often and always after swimming and washing. Read manufacturer instructions
- Wear protective clothing – sunhats, T shirts and sunglasses etc
- Avoid going out between 11am - 3pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest
- Take special care of children and those with pale skin/red hair
- Drink extra fluids in a hot climate
- Be aware that alcohol can make you dehydrated
HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY TRIP!
Part 1 [3] Part 2 [4]
Back to Travel advice & vaccinations overview [5]