Lee University Health & Safety Precautions for Global Perspectives Trips
In matters relating to personal safety, the authority of the governing body (i.e. Lee University, the U.S. State Department, Faculty Trip Director, U.S. Embassy, etc.) will supersede the individual wishes of students.
Prior to departure
Review the intended country of travel for travel advisories in order to identify potential hazards and emergencies:
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Natural disasters (hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.);
- Environmental (nuclear hazards, pollution, water and air contaminants);
- Medical (accidents, injuries, epidemics);
- Socio-political (civil and political unrest, riots and demonstrations, military coups).
The following websites offer information on travel warnings, unusual currency and entry regulations, health conditions, minor political disturbances, crime and security information, and drug penalties:
It is also recommended that Faculty Trip Directors research respective embassy information prior to departure (location, contact information, hours of operation, etc.) at
http://usembassy.state.gov/.
The U.S. department of State provides the following tips for pre-departure preparation:
- Register with the State Department: Register your travel plans with the State Department at https://travelregistration.state.gov in case of a family emergency in the U.S. or a crisis where you are traveling.
- Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure student participants have a signed, valid passport, and their emergency information pages are completed.
- Leave behind copies of itinerary and passport information: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data pages and visas with your academic department chair and preferably the Office of Global Perspectives so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
- Review overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask the Office of Business & Finance for a copy of the medical insurance policy. Review coverage and limits of liability.
- Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While abroad, you are subject to the laws of the country of destination. Visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html for useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.
Checklists are invaluable in planning an emergency action plan including:
- Rosters of all students and their “in case of emergency” contact information and any special medical needs;
- List (or copies) of passport numbers, expiration dates and location of passport for each student;
- Emergency telephone numbers for local police, fire, hospital, embassy, etc.
While Abroad
The U.S. Department of State provides the following tips for travel abroad:
Contact information: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at
http://travel.state.gov/abduction/about/how/how_604.html. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.
9-1-1 Emergency contact numbers abroad: If you’re in an emergency situation abroad, you’ll need to know how to contact the police, an ambulance, or even the fire department. Not every country uses “9-1-1” as its emergency contact number, as we do in the United States. *Note: English-speaking operators may not be available.
9-1-1 Emergency Contact Numbers Abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/abduction/about/how/how_604.html
Lost and Stolen U.S. Passports Abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1197.html
Financial Assistance for U.S. citizens abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1197.html
Assistance to U.S. Citizens Arrested Abroad:
http://www.travel.state.gov/law/law_1734.html
Welfare/Whereabouts to locate U.S. Citizens abroad in case of emergency:
http://travel.state.gov/abduction/solutions/locatechildren/locatechildren_3850.html
Doctors/Hospitals abroad for medical emergencies for U.S. citizen abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1195.html
Information on Deaths Abroad of U.S. Citizens:
http://www.travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/death/death_600.html
Consular Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/abduction/resources/congressreport/congressreport_563.html
Return of Remains of Deceased Americans:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1191.html
Help for American Victims of Crime Overseas:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html
Effective communication is the key to any crisis management system:
Explore all possible methods of communication, using local and national resources. It is not unusual for telephones to malfunction during a number of crisis scenarios.
An agreed upon time/schedule for telephone or other contact should be established and maintained. Travel and transportation information must be as specific as possible. Guidance about border crossing and making contact with appropriate authorities in country should be researched. Most importantly, alternative methods of travel and routes should be determined and prioritized in the event that the usual routes are no longer safe or feasible.
Evacuation, if withdrawal appears imminent:
- Seek guidance/advice from the U.S. Embassy on evacuation decisions;
- Identify student responsibilities providing them with descriptions of specific emergency evacuation plans and incorporate a “buddy system” in which peers monitor each other;
- Emphasize the importance of staying in familiar territory during an emergency.