Smarter Travel: Knowing How to Respond to Medical Emergencies On Vacation

Even when taking as many precautions as possible, a medical emergency can occur while traveling within the United States or abroad. The first thing to do in a medical emergency is to remain calm. Riverdale Travel has compiled a list of tips about responding to emergencies while on vacation so you can stay safe no matter where you are in the world. 

Before Travel: Notify Insurance

If you are even remotely worried about a medical incident on vacation, you can notify your insurance company before you travel. They can provide essential information about your coverage depending on where you’re traveling. Keeping this information handy can help you avoid problems should an emergency occur. While other countries will not accept your US insurance, it can help cover the costs of prescription drugs, hospitalizations, and physician costs. 

Before Travel: Purchase Travel Insurance

You can opt-in for travel insurance if you work with a travel consultant company like Riverdale Travel. It is a great idea to purchase travel insurance before traveling to help cover costs should your trip be delayed, canceled, or interrupted in any way. With Riverdale Travel, we can help you navigate purchasing travel insurance to ensure you have the proper coverage if you need it. 

Travel insurance can also include coverage for comprehensive medical insurance and medical evacuation. This is particularly important if you are adventuring on vacation, such as hiking or other potentially dangerous activities. 

Another possibility is when a country or destination requires travel insurance. In this case, purchasing it is not optional, but it can potentially save you money if an unexpected event occurs. 

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance can cover many parts of your vacation, including: 

• Flight reimbursement

• Refundable hotel pre-paid costs

• Other comprehensive reimbursements

• Overseas medical costs

• Coverage for longer flight delays

• Lost or delayed baggage

• Refund for unused parts of your trip

• Hurricanes or other weather cancellations

During Travel: First Aid Kit

While adventuring anywhere in the world, it’s important to bring a first aid kit. These can be essential for small cuts and scrapes, allowing you time to reach a medical facility if the injury warrants additional attention. This is simply a wise precaution for any traveler. 

During Travel: Call Emergency Services

If an emergency occurs while on your trip, be sure to call the local emergency services right away. It's crucial to be aware of the emergency contact numbers specific to the country you're visiting. However, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved two numbers as the world’s standard emergency numbers. 

• United States, Canada, Mexico: 911

• Europe, Asia, Russia, India: 112

• Cell phones: 112

• All phones: 000

Once you call, the dispatcher can help route the necessary services to your location. 

During Travel: Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

The US embassy or consulate is another organization to contact if you have an emergency on vacation. They can assist you in finding medical services and notify your friends or family about the emergency. Embassies and consulates are available 24/7, both overseas and in Washington, D.C. 

Protect Yourself and Your Vacation with Riverdale Travel

Riverdale Travel is known for our specialized travel consultants, who are experienced in booking travel to various locations worldwide. During our initial consultation, we can determine if purchasing travel insurance is right for your trip and assist you in choosing the coverage you may need for your specific vacation. We provide insider knowledge about your destination and can ensure you have the right phone numbers to call in case of an emergency. 

Give us a call today at 763-323-3665 or book a consultation online for more information!