Mission2go  >  Travel Security

Travel Security Information

Travel Security is the process of protecting people, information, and things.  The primary skills for effective travel security are; risk assessment, implementation of travel security measures, and maintaining situational awareness.  Finding the right balance between the cost and inconvenience of security measures, compared to the cost and inconvenience of a loss, is the constant challenge as you try to improve your travel security.

Most criminals, terrorist, dirtbags, thugs ,etc, do not have a specific target, they will choose the person or property that presents the least amount of risk to themselves.  You want to take enough travel security measures to discourage criminals from picking on you in the first place.  As the old proverb goes, "when you're hungry, why hunt a lion when there are plenty of sheep to be had".  Your job is to be the lion and let someone else be the sheep, or better yet, to make it hard hunt at all.

Personal Security - Protecting Your Life

Personal security is the most subjective of all travel security issues because decisions are based on your personal tolerance of risk.  That's why these are guidelines that you are free to adapt or ignore.

Awareness is the word that best summarizes personal security.  Awareness is the skill of knowing and sensing what is going on around you.  Awareness requires knowledge of the situation combined with an ability to sense when things aren't quite right.  If you know a danger exists then you can take appropriate measures to control the risk.

Here are some simple personal travel security measures:

• Avoid patterns and predictable lifestyles.  Many criminals determine your patterns in order to plan when and how they can get you.  If you take steps such as using variable routes to and from your lodging, you become a more difficult target.
• Always look for a way out of potential emergencies.  Know how many seating rows it is to the nearest exit on the plane, know how to get out of your motel quickly in case of a fire, etc.
• Know how to use the local phone system and memorize or carry emergency numbers
• Avoid public disputes, confrontations, and demonstrations
• Keep a low profile, don't show large amounts of cash or valuables
• Don't carry potentially embarrassing information or personal items
• Minimize disclosure of your address, phone number, and other personal information
• Travel in a group when possible, there is safety in numbers
• Avoid isolated and poorly lit areas
• Assume that you are not the only one with key to your motel room.  Chain or brace the door whenever possible
• Do not accept pre-poured drinks or food from strangers
• Do not hitchhike or pick up those who do
• Be suspicious of unfamiliar packages and objects found around your living area
• Consider carrying an international cell phone or satellite phone (this is a must for team leaders) when traveling internationally

Here are some additional travel security measures for areas with a higher potential of risk:

• Report to someone with your itinerary on a scheduled basis.  They can inform the proper authorities if there is a problem, or if you fail to report in after a determined amount time.
• Remain inside secure areas during hours of darkness
• Prepare an evacuation plan, just the thought process puts you ahead of the game

Your attitude, poise, confidence, etc are a key component of your travel security plan.  If you are walking aimlessly or with a look of confusion, criminals will pick you out as an easy target.  Don't appear cocky or arrogant, but have enough attitude to convey that picking on you will not be an easy task.

What to (and not to) Wear

Concerning travel security, your goal is to draw as little attention as possible.  You want to fit in.  The two styles of dress that you should avoid in virtually all situations are the tourist look and the military look.

The tourist look -  The tourist look gives the immediate impression that you are carrying lots of money or valuables... you are not familiar with your surroundings... and you probably won't stick around long enough to press charges if robbed or injured.  You don't have to wear locally made clothes to fit in, but you should at least try to wear the same style of clothing as the general population.  If they wear drab and loose fitting clothes, and you wear tight fitting bright colors, you will stand out.  Travel vests with full pockets, big camera bags, safari hats, expensive new shoes, and colored bandannas around your neck (would you wear that silly bandana at home?) all say, "look at the rich tourist, come and get me". 

When you travel, notice how other foreigners such as humanitarian aid workers, teachers, businessmen, etc dress.  They may stand out because of the color of their skin or hair, but you will likely notice that they wear everyday clothes rather than expensive safari type clothes.  Their look says, "Yeah, I'm a foreigner, but my money and my things are back at my house, so go pick on someone else".  As part of your personal travel security plan, that is the look you want.

The military look - Never wear camouflage clothing!  In case you didn't get that, never wear camouflage clothing!  Much of the world is at some state of war or political instability.  Unless you are actually serving in the military and traveling on official business, there is no benefit to your being identified as military personnel.  Military personnel are prime targets for terrorism and rebel activity as well as for some thug trying to prove how tough he is.  Camouflage is the obvious no-no but other styles such as black combat-type hiking boots, matching olive-drab tops and bottoms, military style watches, sunglasses and bags all make you suspect.  It is fine to wear dull colors so that you will not stand out at a distance, especially when you are traveling in an area under the control of an official or rebel military.  Just don't look like one of the soldiers.  Or worse yet, don't look like an "adviser" from another country.

How About Weapons?

Carrying any type of weapon  (handguns, knifes, batons, mace, etc) can invite more trouble than it might prevent.  The first problem is the issue of transporting such items on the airlines.  There is more potential for trouble and harassment both before departure and in customs upon arrival.  Secondly, you can not assume that the laws regarding weapons at your destination are even close to those of your home country.  Unless you do significant research and obtain necessary permits, you are setting yourself up for trouble, not increasing your travel security posture.

If you do carry a weapon, (including in your home country), you must be committed to using it if necessary.  A bluff serves no useful purpose unless you are actually willing to use the weapon when necessary.  You need to know what you are doing, or the weapon may end up being used against you.  You also must decide that the long legal proceedings following such use are worth it. The majority of situations where you might want a weapon can be avoided with a little bit of planning and awareness.  Avoidance is the best security option when traveling away from home. 

Protect the Essentials (tickets, passport, money)

The safest place to keep your essentials is in a money belt concealed underneath your clothing.  Conceal the location of your money belt by taking items out of your money belt in private and placing them somewhere else right before they are needed.  For example; In many countries you will have to show your passport when checking in to a motel, so you should remove your passport and place it in a secure pocket before arriving at the front desk.  When it comes time to leave the motel, you can use the same process with your money.  Put the money you will need to pay in a pocket before entering the lobby.  This way, you will not be digging through your main stash in full sight of other people.

Many people find concealed money belts very uncomfortable, even to the point that they're willing to accept the increased risk of keeping valuables in an external bag (such as a daypack) if it is not a large amount.   If you do this as well, the same security principle still applies.  Try to keep the location of your valuables private by not digging through your main stash for every small purchase.  If your main stash is in your daypack, put some spending money in your pants pocket before you go shopping.

If you are based at a secure location such as a friend's house, then it is probably best to leave the majority of your essentials there while going about your day to day business.  Carry only what you will need for that day and lock the rest inside the luggage you leave behind.  Additionally, most motels have a safe where you can store your valuables.  Just make sure to get a receipt for everything you place in the safe.  You'll have to trust your senses to determine whether or not the safe is actually "safe", when in doubt, keep your items with you.

If you are staying in a motel or another public accommodation, don't leave your money belt lying out at night.  Take the extra minute to lock it inside your luggage or in a lockable drawer.  For a little added protection, use a cable lock to secure your luggage to a piece of furniture.

Protecting Your Travel Gear

The simplest step you can take to protect your gear is placing locks on all of your luggage zippers.  It is more common to have items stolen from your pack than to have your whole bag stolen.  In addition, use some of the following travel security measures:

• When you check your luggage at the airport, visually confirm that it has the correct destination printed on the tag.  Upon arrival, watch closely for your bag to enter the conveyer and make sure someone else doesn't "accidentally" grab it
• Whenever you leave a piece of luggage out of your site, use a cable lock to secure it to an immovable object
• When you take off a daypack and place it on the floor, develop the habit of placing your leg through the strap so no one can grab it and run without taking you along
• Be alert for diversions, thieves often stage some type of distraction (like cute little kids poking you) while their partner tries to acquire your stuff.
• Consider using a regular daypack with padded cases inside rather than a camera bag to avoid drawing attention to yourself and your valuable equipment
• Wear clothing with zippers or buttons on the pockets

Avoiding Scams

There are hundreds of scams used around the world to separate you from your belongings.  They all involve the basic concept of distracting your attention as the thief, or thieves, go to work.  Whether a bait and switch, offers for non-existent services, or pick pockets, the concept is the same.  Travel security awareness is your key to survival. 

Your mom or dad probably told you, "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is" or, "there is no such thing as getting something for nothing".   Keep your money in your pocket and never assume that you are just managing to get over on the 'ignorant natives'.

Travel Security During a Crisis Situation

If you should find yourself in the middle of a dangerous incident, there are a few measures you can take to increase your chances of survival.

• Act fast!  Inaction while deciding what to do is usually more dangerous than quickly taking a less than perfect action
• Follow your predetermined plan of whether you should fight to protect your stuff, or hand it over if demanded.  Don't let your emotions and pride add to the value of relatively inexpensive items.   By and large, handing stuff over is the best idea.
• If you find yourself in an incident involving gunfire or explosives, tell yourself to get low and get out.
• Make mental notes of as many details as possible, these details can be invaluable to those who need to solve the crime
• Make a report to proper authorities as soon as you are in a safe location

Dealing with Capture

The chances of being captured and held by criminals or terrorist are extremely low.  However, the fear of such an incident is widespread enough that I thought I should offer these basic capture guidelines.

• It is generally best to comply with the demands of your captor to avoid serious injury or death
• Unless you were engaged in illegal activity, there is no point in creating a "cover story".  Focus on pointing out how you were in the region to learn, or to provide useful services and information to your captor's fellow countrymen
• Trying to escape after the initial capture period is very risky (during the capture event is the best odds of escape).  Consider the risk to other detainees who are left behind before making an escape attempt
• Maintain faith that your family, friends, and authorities are making every effort to secure your release
• Do not discuss with your captor what you think other people might be willing to do on your behalf
• Avoid confrontation as much as possible, your captors are obviously unstable people
• If you speak the captor's language, it may be to your advantage to conceal this fact
• Do not be alarmed by the passing of time.  Generally, the longer you are held the greater the chance you will be released.  This is because your captors have more time and effort invested in you and need something for their effort
• Continually ask for permission to speak with your organization, embassy, or Red Cross personnel
• Try to establish your humanity in the eyes of your captors.  Seek common bonds such as having a family, and maintain your composure and dignity no matter how bad your living conditions are.
• During any rescue attempts, do not try to aid the rescuers.  Drop to the floor, lie as flat as possible, and follow instructions.  Expect the rescuers to restrain you and treat you roughly until they can remove you from the area and confirm your identity.
• Keep your faith! 

In Closing

It is hard to write about travel security without making it sound like there is someone waiting to get you around every corner.  In fact, nearly the opposite is true.  Most places that you travel will not have any more potential for risk than your own home.  It is only because the risks are different, and you are not used to the surroundings, that you need to make a conscience effort to be more aware. 

The last thing you want is to develop a paranoia about international travel that keeps you at home.  It is the unknown that actually makes travel an adventure in the first place.  In the worst case, bad happenings make for good stories, and we all like to tell good stories.

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