Cheryl Cole being treated for malaria in hospital

Despite taking anti-malaria drugs Cheryl Cole seems to have contracted Malaria following her recent trip to Tanzania.


With proper medical care Malaria is not normally a fatal disease and it is the lack of medical care which means that in excess of 1 million people die from the disease worldwide every year. How quickly Cheryl recovers and what the long term effects are will be depend to a degree on which strain of the disease she has caught.


According to her agent, it does seem that Cheryl Cole / Tweedy (I’m not sure what the latest etiquette is in regard to her name…) was taking prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs; I can only surmise that she followed the correct dosage for the drugs she was on; dosages will vary from drug to drug.


Alongside taking the correct dosage, it is just as important that anyone on a coarse of prophylactic drugs, sees it through to the end; this will often mean taking the drugs for between 1 and 4 weeks after you return from an area of the world where there is a malaria risk. We can only assume that she also did this.


Whatever the reason for Cheryl Cole contracting malaria, it may eventually come down to the simple fact that although prophylactic malaria drugs are very effective and should always be taken when visiting areas of malaria risk, they are not 100% effective.


Malaria may not necessarily be a killer for those of us fortunate enough to have access to the excellent medical facilities such as those we have here in the UK, but it should never be taken lightly. It can be incredibly debilitating disease both in the short term and the long term; I have no doubt we will hear exactly how bad it is from Cheryl herself when she has recovered…


Preventing Malaria is about more than simply visiting a travel clinic or GP and obtaining ‘anti-malaria’ drugs, which should be just the first step of the process, in addition effective bite prevention measures should be employed.


Bite prevention sounds straight forward, slap on some repellent and off you go; but there is more to it than this if you want it to be really effective.


A knowledge of the right mosquito repellent to use; treating your equipment and clothing with insecticide; making yourself unattractive to mosquitoes with the colours and smells you give off; moving your shoes away from your bed (yes mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet); all reduce the chance of being bitten.


The less often you get bitten, the less often your malaria medication will be tested.


It is not sufficient to just use bite prevention methods, they alone are not full-proof. It is not sufficient just to use prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs, they alone are not full-proof. It is the combination of both which offers the best protection.


Having an understanding of the various bite-prevention techniques adds a layer of protection which GP’s and Travel clinics rarely have the time to explain adequately; during Our Workshops we do.


Even when you have taken the strongest precautions, if on your return from a malaria risk area you experience flu like symptoms or lack energy, as Cheryl Cole / Tweedy did, make it a priority to visit your GP and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria risk area of the world. Malaria can remain dormant in the body for many months, so mention it even if is many months since you returned.


Cheryl’s name will now be added to the estimated 2000 British tourists who return to the UK every year with malaria; fatalities from malaria in the UK average about 9 every year.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 6th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Surviving a plane crash

The recent fatal air crash in Tripoli, Libya was only survived by one 9 year old boy and analysing why he survived will be of some use to professionals in air safety, but to most people it is just a small miracle or extreme good fortune.


Over-analysing how to survive a plane crash doesn’t help greatly in generating confidence in those who may be concerned about flying. What has to be remembered is that flying is still one of the safest forms of transport in the world.


It is still worth taking a few basic precautions:


• Fly with reputable airlines – Any airline flying into, out of or within the EU, USA / Canada, Australia / New Zealand has to undergo the most rigorous safety checks; outside of these areas it may be worth undertaking a little research into the airline you are flying with. As a general rule the ‘poorer’ the country the more in-depth checks you might want to make; especially on internal flights where regulation may not be as rigorous.

• Always listen to the safety briefing – If nothing else it is polite to do so, but more importantly the more you listen the more you will take in and the more likely your instinctive reaction will be the right one. In the case of a real accident you will have to rely mainly on your instincts, it is unlikely you we be able to draw on your rational thought process, which is unlikely to be working properly.

• Practice the ‘brace position’ and your seatbelt release – Studies have proven that in the case of a crash one of the problems people have is getting out of their seats. It sounds silly to think you will not be able to unbuckle yourself, but when under the most extreme pressure the brain does not work very rationally and instinct will take over; your instinct will be to get up and get out. The rational part of your brain may not work sufficiently under such extreme stress to understand that you must undo your seatbelt to achieve this.

• Sit near an emergency exit – It should not take a rocket scientist to work out that the closer you are to an exit the quicker you will be able to get out in an emergency. Wherever you are seated count the number of seats between yourself and the nearest exit in front and behind you; that way in the case of an emergency and the lights failing or smoke filling the cabin you can feel your way to the nearest exit.

• Don’t panic – Easier said than done. However it is worth trying to control your mind, adrenaline will be pumping through your body and you can do little to stop this (in reality you don’t want to stop this as it will help in your attempt to ‘escape’), what you want to do is control and channel the consequences of adrenaline and use them to your advantage. Respond rather than react to the challenges you face.


This is all very well to write, it is completely different to put into practice in case of a real emergency.


Don’t panic about flying, it is likely to be one of the safest parts of any travel experience; you are likely to be at much greater risk on arrival when driving from the airport to your final destination.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


Date – 16th May 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

A prickly moment

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Title – A prickly moment
Source – Metro
Date – 3rd February 2010


Sometimes I see images which I think are worth sharing.


Travel opens us up to the most amazing places the world has to offer and allows us to experience ‘you had to be there’ moments; these can sometimes be shared by photographs.


Biting off more than you can chew is a good analogy for a lot of what we teach on day 1 of our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop. Our aim is to teach participants how to avoid confrontation and put proactive measures into place resolve conflict when it is encountered.


As this young leopard found out, those we encounter on our travels may pose a threat we are not familiar with and unknown threats are better avoided than confronted.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Crocodile bagged by hungry hippos

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Title – Crocodile bagged by hungry hippos
Source – The Times
Date – 17th November 2009

If ever proof were needed that Hippos along with other animals pose a danger to humans and travellers who are unfamiliar with these dangers, than this is it.

Ok I know that even the most foolhardy and unprepared traveller is not going to try running the gauntlet over the backs of a group of Hippos, but this does not take away from the fact that Hippos remain the most dangerous animal in Africa.

Taking a few simple steps can offer significant protection from these 2 - 3 tonne mammals. During our workshop we examine the various natural dangers faced by travellers who may be unfamiliar with their new surroundings, dispel the myths and reinforce the facts.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

China tries to contain plague after second death

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Title – China tries to contain plague after second deathSource – The Independent
Date – 4th August 2009

Just the very mention of ‘plague’ fills people with horror and conjures up images of biblical times; not a modern world in 2009. In the 14th century the ‘black death’ (plague) killed a third of Europe’s population; some 25 million people perished.

However for the average traveller, plague need not be near the top of the list of concerns. There are no known incidences of plague in travellers returning to the UK since 1918. However ‘awareness’ is a useful tool in developing preventative strategies.

The main strategy for preventing the contraction of plague is to avoid endemic areas / outbreak areas and to be aware of those animals which act as a vector for the disease.

This particular outbreak should not affect travellers unless they are already in the area; which is very remote and rarely visited. The Chinese have become very effective at controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases by isolating infected people and infected areas; something made easier when the government has so much control over its people…

Outbreaks of plague are not as isolated as they may seem and not always confined to these remote parts of the world. Although Africa accounts for 80% of cases, central Asia is also high on the list of the endemic areas; some 2000 cases and 180 deaths reported annually (figures from 2003). Worldwide there are also occasional large outbreaks, such as the 5000 reported in India in 1994. There have also been isolated cases in rural

USA, Peru, Vietnam and Mongolia.

In Mongolia it is relatively well known that the Marmot, a common sight on the open steppe, can and do sometimes carry plague They are also hunted as a source of protein and for their skins by the local nomadic people. The Marmot is a representative of the type of animals which can carry plague, including rats, rabbits, prairie dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs and other rodents. Needless to say contact with these animals is not advisable in areas where plague is endemic.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

River blindness ‘can be beaten’

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Title – River blindness ‘can be beaten’Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 21st July 2009

Onchocerciasis or River Blindness is another of the terrible afflictions which local populations face in parts of the world, which can affect travellers and for which protective measures should be taken.

Once again Africa and particularly Sub Saharan Africa is badly affected by this terrible disease with it’s debilitating symptoms.

With 37 million people affected by River Blindness the news that there is hope for successful treatment is very welcome and let’s hope the funding is found to extend the work already being done.

For independent travellers the key is prevention. Bite protection is the key, so avoiding the Black Fly habitats (river banks and lakes), wearing appropriate clothing, use of insect repellent and insecticides and sleeping under a mosquito net are all essential. Make sure that if any symptoms occur (even some years after infection) you inform your doctor of your travels and where appropriate seek specialist advice and treatment.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Killer parasites’ genes decoded

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Title – Killer parasites’ genes decoded
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 16th July 2009

I put these articles into the blog sometimes, not because such an in-depth knowledge of diseases is important for independent travellers, but because highlighting these diseases and making people aware of them provides a degree of protection.

Those diseases which attract the most attention are those which have vaccinations or for which prophylactic drugs are available. This is because the drug companies spend a vast amount of money promoting their drugs by providing information about the diseases themselves.

This means that diseases like Dengue Fever or in this case Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) get largely left behind and tend only to be highlighted by government departments and then only when travellers actually seek out information.

If anything these are the ones we need to take more care with, because there is no vaccination or prophylactic drugs to provide ‘easy’ protection, so it is knowledge and our behaviour which offers the only protection.

Bilharzia is an incredibly debilitating and potentially fatal disease and is frighteningly common with over 200 million cases reported every year. London’s Hospital for Tropical Diseases sees an average of 200 cases a year in returning travellers.

Local advise is especially important in understanding bodies of water which are not safe to wade or swim in. For example reports suggest that 50% of swimmers in Lake Malawi test positive for Bilharzia; those are odds simply not worth contemplating, no matter how hot it is.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

The holiday bug with a lethal sting

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Title – The holiday bug with a lethal stingSource – Independent
Date – 7th July 2009

I have written before about Malaria in this blog and I don’t really want to retrace those words at this point. During our workshop we go on and on about taking a co-ordinated approach to protecting against malaria and in practice the steps are relatively simple; add to these a few tricks and tips we have learnt along the way and the protection becomes even more complete. Even though it is never going to be 100% full proof, it seems logical to me that the closer you get to 100% the better. Too many travellers seem to take the bizarre attitude, that if the pills are not 100% proof why take them at all…

Our approach is fourfold:

1. Planning
2. Prophylactic drugs & Vaccinations
3. Bite prevention
4. Awareness & Diagnosis

The good thing about this approach is that malaria is just one of many diseases spread by mosquitoes and this simple strategy goes a significant way to assisting with protection against these as well. Bite prevention adds significant protection from diseases including:

· Dengue Fever
· Yellow Fever
· Encephalitis
· Rift Valley Fever

The experience of people who have contracted malaria should be enough to get anyone thinking. The 2000 people diagnosed with malaria every year in the UK, not to mention the 10 – 12 fatalities a year, should be enough to make anyone take those measures required in order to protect themselves.

In addition to the fact that getting malaria is a devastating and life threatening experience, the added pressure put on local services & resources when you require treatment in-country because you have failed to take the appropriate prevention measures is very unfair; especially when many countries can’t even look after their own population. The hospital bed you as a foreigner will undoubtedly be given is a bed which a local person will be turned away from.

I always ask people how many people in Sub-Saharan Africa would refuse a mosquito net or prophylactic drugs if they were offered them; the answer is obviously none. When you leave your mosquito net at home or ignore the doctor’s advice, you do rather rub salt in their considerable wounds.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Malaria parasites ‘resist drugs’

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Title – Malaria parasites ‘resist drugs’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 29th May 2009

I have written about malaria prophylactics in this blog before and I don’t propose to revisit the arguments for travellers making sure they take the appropriate prophylactic drug when they visit areas of the world where Malaria is endemic; it’s really a ‘no-brainer’ don’t play Russian roulette with a loaded gun…

The point I want to extract from this story is two-fold;

The first point is that you should seek the latest medical advice and not rely or hearsay or what a doctor told you last year (or the last time you travelled); the situation with the appropriate drugs to use for a particular area of the world can change rapidly. Try not to get caught up in the myths and folklore about which are the ‘best’ malaria drugs or the scare stories about side effects. Go and see your doctor get their advise, if you feel unsure about it, then seek a second opinion (undoubtedly some doctors are more up-to-date than others).

Once you have been told what particular prophylactic is suitable for the area you are visiting, buy the quantity you will require for your whole trip (and include extra if there is any chance you will be extending your stay) in the UK before you leave.

This takes me nicely on to my second point; buying drugs (prescription that is) at your destination.

There are a phenomenal quantity of counterfeit drugs on the market and no where is this more prominent than in Asia; as China and India are by far the worlds largest producer of ‘fake drugs’

The problems with these is two fold; firstly they can be ineffective and therefore lull the user into a false sense of security and even mask symptoms. The second problem is that many of them are actually harmful. Fake drugs are believed to be responsible for over 200,000 deaths annually; a recent report suggested this is nearer 700,000 if you include those victims who die from the diseases they are being ineffectively treated for with fake drugs.

It is really a different problem to other fake items which may fall apart soon after purchase but generally cause disappointment rather than harm. Fake drugs have been found to be carcinogenic, to contain anything from lead to rat poison, to mask symptoms while condition deteriorates and to kill those taking them.

It turns out now they may be playing a part in an even more serious problem. Some of these drugs contain a little of the actual drug in order for them to pass rudimentary tests. Because the doses are so low they don’t kill the malaria parasite, but in much the same way as when we recover from the common cold and develop immunity from catching that particular strain again in the future; this small dose allows the Malaria parasite to develop immunity from the drug.

The difference is Malaria already kills a million people a year and resistant strains have the potential to kill many more than that if immunity develops more quickly than science can.

Fake drugs kill at every level. Like so many fake products these days, fake drugs look almost identical to the real thing. The most effective way to avoid them is to buy your drugs in a country such as the UK where drugs are strictly controlled. If you have to buy them (or top up) while you are away, go to a reputable source, like a proper licensed pharmacy, ask a local doctor and if they seem excessively cheap there is probably a reason…

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Here come the hoards

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Title – Here come the hoards
Source – The Independent
Date – 29th April 2009

I found this article very interesting and a good example of the difficulty I have sometimes within myself in deciding where to travel next. It made me examine my motivations and reminded me that every individual has unique criteria for the travel and how everyone has to make those choices which are right for them.

I struggle with my choices sometimes because I am naturally drawn to more remote locations, the less other travellers the better. It is a bit of a selfish approach, but I never begrudge other travellers I bump into when I’m there; why would I, after all they have just made the same choices I have, so they can’t be bad people….

Where I would feel guilt is if I ever reached the point where I tried to stop tourism for any but the best reasons, such as; the fragility of the environment, for justifiable political motives (such as Burma) or where the impact on the local communities are actually detrimental or unwelcome.

Where tourism has an unsustainable environmental impact, we have to protect those areas. Where possible this should be done through limiting sustainable numbers, a practise which normally results in higher costs to visitors, but one which must be accepted for the greater good. These practices can already be seen in places like Galapagos and Machu Picchu, although some might argue they don’t yet go far enough.

A similar principle can be seen where local people have chosen to limit tourism to avoid either harming their traditional way of life or eroding their society. Bhutan for example has limited the number of visitors through a quota system and charges a US$200 a day tax on visitors used to support this very resource poor / culture rich country. Other communities have shunned tourism completely and banned it from their shores, including some islands in the Indian Ocean or towns and villages within countries that have decided to keep themselves to themselves; I was lucky enough to be invited into one such village in Vanuatu and experienced a fascinating festival of music and dance.

The key point in all of this is that visitors should realise the privilege it is to visit another country, meet local people, to view the incredible natural and man-made sights. Even somewhere like Angkor Wat with it’s 2 million visitors; it is not our right to visit, it is our privilege to be invited to visit by the Cambodian people.

I will not pretend that I would not rather visit Angkor with only a handful of other visitors about, but I will never begrudge the Cambodian people the opportunity to generate an income to better their lives by encouraging as many people as possible to this most magnificent monument to human endeavour.

Too often I hear travellers from the UK complain that tourism is ruining local culture; people visiting Angkor and complaining of the crowds; visitors stating that money is making local people unhappy because they can’t continue with their traditional way of life; very very rarely do I hear these same people ask genuine locals those same questions. After all what if a visitor from Papua New Guinea to London complained about the crowds at the Tower of London and commented on how our way of life had been ruined by money, preventing us from living our ‘traditional way of life’ or their disappointment not to see Morris Dancing on every street corner…

The ‘traditional way of life’ we all strive to see on our travels is often very tough. We ‘dip’ in and out of it and think it quaint, but we would never accept poor health care, poor sanitation, lower life expectancy, toiling for 12 hours a day in basic subsistence farming which leaves you open to famine and flood or the lack of education and opportunity for the next generation; why should anyone else?

People often ask me where they should go and what they should see. Angkor is certainly one of those sights near the top of my list. The next question they ask is ‘has it not been ruined by the hoards of people visiting?’ I visited Angkor before the 2 million visitors of today, it was a much more serene place than today, there was more of an ‘Indiana Jones’ feeling to it and I loved that. Stories I tell of having to bribe soldiers and forestry officials in order to visit the ‘River of 1000 Lingas’ and uncovering whole ‘Reclining Buddha’ statues under banks of mud are among my favourites; these days I hear they do guided tours and many of the carvings have been damaged, stolen or removed. I may not be helping my own argument here….

My point is this; yes things change, maybe it is for the worse for some travellers, but it is for the better for many who may never have had the opportunity before (or known the right person to bribe…). It is better for local people who can now make an income from tourism, there are more jobs available for guides, wardens and the compulsory hawkers who I am sure now work that area as well.

Would it ruin it for me now visiting Angkor? Certainly not, if I were going for the first time, I can guarantee when I first laid eyes on Angkor I would still be speechless; it is the most magnificent of human achievements. It would be a different experience now, but experiences by their very nature are individual and today’s experience will be totally different from the one five or ten years from now. Not better or worse just different and individual. You haven’t missed the boat by not having visited before, you are just on a different type of boat.

It is very easy to get selfish when travelling, we all do it. Try and really think local, buy local and stay local; that way your travel fulfils your need for adventure and discovery, helps those places you visit meet their need for sustainability and helps to improve their lives the way they want.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Ethical and Responsible Travel, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more. Travel is one of life’s great privileges and as with any privilege it should be appreciated and respected.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Gap year students killed in crash

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Title – Gap year students killed in crash
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 19th March 2009

The tragic loss of 3 young men setting out on the adventure of a lifetime in such a terrible accident is not something any parent should have to deal with and not one I would even pretend to understand. My condolences go out to their family and friends.

This once again highlights the dangers of road travel in foreign countries and having driven on the roads in South Africa myself, I know not only how dangerous they can be, but also how the ‘rules’ vary considerably from what we are used to at home; how the speed cars drive at is astounding; how many obstacles there are to avoid (in the form of pedestrians, stray animals and general debris); and sadly how many accidents are head-on and lead to fatalities.

In the months I spent in

South Africa I sadly drove past many accidents where there had clearly been serious injury or fatalities. Several of these involved the local ‘minibus taxis’ which are usually crammed as full as they can be with passengers (as a rule of thumb count the number of seats and double it).

One of the parents assessment that these young men were just in the “wrong place at the wrong time” is probably the most accurate statement regarding this accident, sadly it does not make it any easier for them to bear.

We have recently commented on a number of tragic road accidents in this blog, which demonstrates the dangers travellers face on roads all over the world:

· Vietnam bus plunge ‘kills 10’
· Belgians die in Egypt coach crash
· Families pay tribute to Britons killed in Ecuador bus crash

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Transport Options alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more. Tragedies like this accident happen in every part of the world but I don’t believe there is a country in the world where the level of road traffic accidents should put us off travelling. There are however considerations and judgements we should make in regard to our transport options, to reduce the inherent risks they present.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us our Facebook Page and our Facebook Group. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tourists are blitzed by a shop bomber

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Title – Tourists are blitzed by a shop bomberSource – The Sun
Date – 23rd February 2009

Egypt has suffered at the hands of terrorists before, sadly this is far from an isolated incident and is actually turning into a rather predictable annual event.

Egypt relies on its tourist industry; both those visiting the unique archaeological sites, the pyramids, the sphinx and other world heritage sites and the those who flock to the Red Sea to relax, soak up the sun and enjoy world class diving in the purpose built resorts.

With such a reliance on tourism, the Egyptian government makes great efforts to protect the tourists that visit. However, precisely for this reason and the high profile nature of the tourist industry, it has become a regular target for terrorists who have enjoyed some ‘success’.

Unlike some parts of the world where independent travellers unwittingly get caught up in terrorism, in Egypt there can be no doubt that they are the target.

The FCO does not currently advice against travel to Egypt; it should be remembered that 13 million tourists visit Egypt every year, most have an amazing time and experience no problems, but extra care should be taken and sensible travel safety strategies followed, when visiting the country.

The hazards in Egypt are not limited to terrorist attacks, travel can also be dangerous and Egypt has high rates of road accident fatalities (see blog entry

Belgians die in Egypt coach crash). This is unlikely to be the last attack on tourists in Egypt and independent travellers must be aware of the potential risks to tourists in the country and manage the risks effectively.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety alongside sessions on Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice and more. The only way to completely eliminate the risks involved in travel to Egypt is not to travel. However nowhere else in the world can you match the magnificence of the pyramids; travel always has to be a personal choice and a balancing act.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us our Facebook Page and our Facebook Group. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

‘Bug’ could combat dengue fever

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Title – ‘Bug’ could combat dengue fever
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 2nd January 2009

Another step in the fight against Dengue Fever and serious outbreaks such as the 2008 outbreak in Paraguay (

Paraguay put on dengue alert) has been achieved in Australia.

Developments that provide even a partial solution to reducing the number of Dengue Fever ‘victims’ is something to be welcomed, not only by the local communities who suffer badly from this potent virus due to lack of health care facilities, but also by travellers who travel to those areas where it is so prevalent.

But as with every advancement in science, it still has a long way to go and even if it is eventually successful, will take time to implement and will take some time to be effective.

As with all insect borne diseases, prevention should be your primary defence. There is no prophylactic drug to protect you against Dengue Fever as there is with for example Malaria; so it is doubly important to take preventative measures.

To take these measures you first have to be aware of the nature of the carrier. Most people assume that it is at dusk and during the night that mosquitoes are at their most active and take measures to protect themselves at these times. Many travellers who catch Dengue took all reasonable steps at night time, but did nothing during the day. The female Aedes mosquito, which is the Dengue Fever carrier, is however most active during the day…. That is what catches most people out.

When you travel to the tropical region where these mosquitoes thrive you must take proactive preventative measures 24 hours a day. The people who tend to catch Dengue Fever are those who think ‘it won’t happen to me’ and ignore the risks. No one is immune to the risks, no one can claim they don’t get bitten and those who do are either ignorant of those risks or enjoy the ‘game’ of Russian Roulette’; They should take the time to speak with people who have caught Dengue, which although rarely fatal in travellers who have access to medical care, is excruciatingly painful, can be very expensive and has the ability to ruin your ‘once in a lifetime experience’.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health; what you need to do before you go, including what Travel Equipment you might consider; protective and preventative measures you can take on your travels; how to recognise the signs and symptoms of diseases so you can seek medical help as soon as possible and thus reduce the consequences to a minimum; and the level of Travel Insurance required.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Lorry kills Africa gap year student

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Title – Lorry kills Africa gap year student
Source – Metro
Date – 17th November 2008

It’s always very sad to read stories like this one about Claire; our thoughts are always with her family who have to deal with the loss of a person who was clearly gifted, had a zest for life and a passion for exploration and travel. When accidents happen so far away from home it adds a sense of helplessness that exasperates the tragedy still further.

This is a terrible accident, it could have happened 5 miles from her home or 5000 miles away in Africa. The only difference being that generally speaking regulation is stricter in the UK with regard to driving standards, enforcement and the maintenance of vehicles on the road; so in that sense roads in ‘developing’ countries are by their nature are more dangerous.

I would not suggest that there was much that could have been done differently which would have changed the tragic outcome of this situation, but it can serve as a warning to others. It can act as the starkest reminder that additional care is required on the roads, crossing the roads and even standing at the side of the road, in some parts of the world.

It was only a few weeks ago we were discussing the tragic bus accident in Egypt. In the UK we don’t hear about the many tragedies on the roads in other parts of the world, but look at the statistics and it is clear that people should take much greater care and attention when we are far away from home and we need to appreciate that the rules we apply at home often don’t apply abroad. Many parts of the world the differences are far more profound than just driving on the other side of the road.

At Beyond The Blue (safe gap year) we run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshops (GYITSA) designed to provide anyone planning a Gap Year or Career Break to travel more safely and with heightened awareness of the risks faced in other parts of the world. We cover issues of personal safety, Transport Options, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Safety and much more. There are some tragic accidents where nothing would alter the outcome; but for many of the problems faced by travellers, understanding the potential risks allows us to reduce them, without affecting the enjoyment travel offers us.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Belgians die in Egypt coach crash

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Title – Belgians die in Egypt coach crash
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 31st October 2008

It was only a month ago I was writing about the kidnapping of tourists in southern Egypt (Sahara tourists are held captive after being seized by ‘band of gangsters’) and warning that while in that case it was an unusual and unpredictable occurrence, there were other quite serious risks that travellers to Egypt should be aware of. We highlighted the dangers on the roads in Egypt and their poor record on road safety.

Sadly I now find myself commenting on another tragic road accident, this time involving a bus of Belgian tourist and resulting in the death of 6 and the serious injury to another 26.

A combination of poor road conditions, poor driving standards, the long distances involved and drivers being pressured to drive through rather than take regular breaks, is a lethal combination. I am not suggesting fault in this particular case, because at the time of writing the investigation seems to be on-going. The problem is with many of the roads being two lane highways and long stretches of flat straight road, it is not just your driver who can place you in danger, there is a very real threat of oncoming vehicles being out of control, the driver not concentrating or (as seems to be the case in many of these accidents) being overtired or asleep.

However as always we must emphasise that millions of tourist visit Egypt without incident.

Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop (GYITSA) provides information on Transport Options and the importance of asking the right questions before you choose the best means of travel. We are never in complete control of all the risks we face, but by reducing those we can control we can make travel significantly safer.

Throughout our workshops we examine a number of subjects that will reduce the risks you face on your travels, these include; Travel Health, Travel Safety, Destination Advice and specific advice for Women Travellers.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Australian tourist killed in Goa

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Title – Australian tourist killed in Goa
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 9th October 2008

Without any further details at this stage it would not be right to apportion any blame yet, but it does serve as a warning once again that destinations change with time and Goa has certainly seen that change; those visiting tend to continue to treat their travel as if it were still a hippy backwater.

Goa is now very much on the tourist trail and is visited by hundreds of thousands if not millions of tourists each year, no longer a sleepy backwater or throw-back to the 60’s, it has changed and with it the threat levels have changed. Where 20 years ago there was a ‘hippie’ drug scene where drugs were almost tolerated, with growth came a more organised and therefore more ruthless drug distribution network. Where organised crime takes over the ruthlessness inevitably follows as the pie grows, more people want to secure a bigger slice of that pie and are willing to do anything for it.

Add to this the influx of ‘local’ workers and migrants to service the ever growing tourist trade and it is again inevitable that tensions will follow. We must also not forget that where ‘rich’ tourist flock, thieves and criminals will also turn up to prey on richer pickings. Together it does not make for a pretty picture.

As always we must add some context to this picture. Hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Goa and have a fantastic holiday without incident, but there does seem to be an increasing number of ‘incidents’ occurring and travellers should be more careful and protect themselves and their valuables and steer well clear of any illegal activities. Don’t be fooled into thinking drugs of any kind are legal or have been decriminalised in Goa and India generally. This is a travellers myth and if anything the penalties are harsher then you will find at home, ask anyone who has seen the inside of an Indian gaol if it is worth the risk...

Also be aware that the police are starting to take a much stiffer stance against crime, but also that they are very aware of the reputation of Goa in the international community and seem willing to go a long way to protect that reputation, both by enforcing the law and in their proactive approach to investigating certain crimes without a preconceived low-profile solution being offered. That certainly seemed to be the case in the tragic case of Scarlett Keeling who was raped and killed in Goa in 2008.

When you travel you can not behave the same way you do at home and you have to accept that countries have their own laws and cultures which you have to abide by. Poor behaviour can often land you in a great deal of trouble; in some parts of the world can place you in extreme danger as respect and ‘loss of face’ is taken extremely seriously in some cultures.

At Beyond The Blue we run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshops (GYITSA) for anyone planning to travel to any part of the world. We examine personal safety theory and techniques as well as conflict resolution skills that help provide solutions to confrontation rather than allowing them to escalate. We also provide specific Destination Advice and Cultural Awareness guidance so travellers can be prepared for all the situation they are likely to encounter on the course of their travels.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.