| Explore the wild and untouched beauty of Zimbabwe, | | | | fitness routine to ensure that you are in shape for |
| go rafting on the Andes or explore the Thai forest | | | | the trip. Online travel forums can be an excellent |
| on elephant back. There are endless places and ways | | | | resource for information from those that have "been |
| to combine vacation with adventure. An adventure | | | | there and done that. |
| vacation enables you to test your physical limits while | | | | Be prepared for medical emergencies. You could |
| also exploring the natural beauty of the great | | | | experience chest pain while sitting at your desk. |
| outdoors. More Americans are opting for abroad | | | | Imagine having that chest pain occur when you are in |
| vacations that enable them to interact with the | | | | a foreign country. If you experience a serious illness |
| culture and environment of the country. An | | | | or injury while traveling, it's likely you will want to |
| adventure vacation requires you to prepare for the | | | | come home for treatment. No one wants to be |
| physical demands of the trip as well as potential | | | | hospitalized far from friends and family. An air |
| emergencies that may require medical attention or | | | | ambulance service can transport you from a foreign |
| even an air ambulance flight back to the US. We've | | | | hospital to a hospital in your home country. As you |
| compiled a brief list of health related tips that covers | | | | prepare for your trip, keep the number to a medical |
| a few essentials from research to medical escort | | | | air transportation services with your other |
| services. | | | | emergency numbers. |
| Research your destination. You should find out what | | | | Read the fine print on your health insurance policy. |
| health and safety precautions to take. What is the | | | | You may have coverage limitations when traveling |
| political climate? Are there environmental dangers? | | | | outside the U.S. In addition, your policy may exclude |
| What is the best season for your adventure | | | | coverage for injuries related to adventure sports. If |
| vacation? Off seasons are great for pricing deals but | | | | your policy is not clear or you have questions, |
| may not be the best time for an adventure trip. For | | | | contact your insurance carrier before you leave |
| example planning a rafting trip when the waters are | | | | home for clarification. You can also ask your |
| dangerously high. | | | | company to respond in writing as to how they would |
| Assess the physical demands. Don't overestimate | | | | handle an injury if it occurred. The tips above will help |
| your physical abilities. If your trip will require 5 miles of | | | | you prepare in advance for potential emergencies. |
| daily walking in tough terrain you need to make sure | | | | While we all hope to travel without incident, it's nice |
| that you're up to the challenge. An adventure trip is | | | | to know that if you do get hurt, a medical transport |
| not the time to begin a fitness program. If traveling | | | | plane is only a call away! |
| with an adventure outfitter, discuss your normal | | | | |