AirWaves and GroundRules

A story from NBC's Today Show this morning is a frightening illustration of why you need medical evacuation coverage if you travel: bizarre things can happen. The story is about an Oregon couple who sold their belongings to live for a year in Central America and Ecuador. But just two months in, a group of men attacked the couple for no apparent reason and stabbed the man 18 times.

At an Ecuadorian hospital, infection set in. To get back to a US hospital for further treatment, the man needed a special medevac plane. Without medical evacuation coverage, the cost was astronomical: $55,000. That's money that has to be paid up front, in cash, before the patient boards the plane.

An NBC security consultant recommended buying coverage before you leave for a trip. It's advice that could save your life.

Air Ambulance Card President Sam Jackson is back from a one week trek to China. Sam plans for his trips. Sam packs wisely. Sam is courteous. Sam wishes other travelers would be too.

I just returned from a whirl-wind tour to China. I noticed that people are not very thoughtful when they go through security. They are not taking the time to empty pockets, remove metal items and have their toilet articles in a 1 quart ZipLock bag. This is inconsiderate of fellow travelers, waiting in their stocking feet while you go back and forth through the metal detectors.

I watched a man at LAX hold up the line for a good minute because he simply would not pull all of the "stuff" out of his pockets. He had to pass through the metal detector 4 times! On the last try, they took him aside and used the wand to "pat him down," only to discover his metal money clip in his pocket. He protested he did not want to put his money in the plastic tray and run it through the x-ray machine. (Editor's Note: Consider taking the money OUT of the clip, fella? I'm just asking is all.)

Take a few seconds before you get to the end of the conveyor and pull out the contents of your pockets. Drop them into your purse or briefcase. If you have a ZipLock, drop all that pocket stuff into it. Not only will it keep your stuff from getting lost in the shuffle, it will save you from the irate passengers behind you!

Air Ambulance Card President Sam Jackson is traveling in China this week. Sam is a bit of neat freak, and loves to be prepared. He shares some of his tips for maintaining sanity (and sanitation) away from home.

I've noticed a lot of people on this trip who are obviously concerned about health care issues. Glad I am not alone. I saw a good many using instant hand sanitizer, both in small bottles and in disposable packages. Doesn't matter where you are traveling, this is a really easy thing to carry in your bag or purse so that you can both clean your hands after a meal and sanitize them. (You can usually find this in a small 2 oz size at your drug store in the travel and samples section. These are small enough to meet the TSA requirements of less than 3 ounces.) Don't forget, you have to put liquids and gels in a 1 quart clear ZipLock when you go through the security line.

I also saw several people on the long distance flights who put on surgical type masks while they slept on board the plane. Can't help but make you think about SARS, and who wants to do that when flying to China? Still, this would certainly minimize exposure to cold and flu bugs and does not take up much space when you pack.

I always pack a couple of band aids to take care of the inevitable nicks and scraps that occur on a long distance trip and a small tube of Neosporin or other triple antibiotic cream is a good idea as well.

Speaking of ZipLocks - I always put an extra in my carry-on case so that I can put all the "stuff" from my pockets into it before I have to go through the metal detector. I just put it all in the plastic bag and drop that back into my brief case so I know where it is when I am done with the "full body search." I am not kidding - I have had total knee replacements on both knees so I light up the metal detector like a roman candle! While I get the search and pat down, my carry on items are sitting on the end of the x-ray conveyor. I want to make sure that my wallet, money, watch and such are not out in plain site. The ZipLock solves that for me, plus, all that stuff is not then floating loose in the bottom of my brief case for the mad dash to the gate.

China is great. More to come...

Labels: air ambulance card, china, hand sanitizer, metal detector, neosporin, sars, ziplock

Travel insurance has proven a valuable buy for those unfortunate enough to have a cruise canceled thanks to weather or those who have lost their luggage. The New York Times' Practical Traveler - Michelle Higgins - this week wrote about what happens when hurricanes force cruise lines to reroute or cancel trips.

Travel insurance is not, however, your greatest protection if your priority is getting home to your doctor in the event of a travel accident or illness. Many travel insurance policies contain "medical necessity" or "nearest appropriate facility" clauses. That means the insurance company, not you and your doctor, decide if and where you will be transported. Injured in the Caribbean? They may elect to fly you to Miami. Nice hospital... not close to family or friends. Sick in Bali? You may wind up in Singapore... or they may decide you can wait it out and fly home commercial.

Look for a Medical Evacuation Membership that will fly you to the hospital of YOUR choice, as long as your doctor says it's safe and he/she will admit you.

Let the travel insurance folks worry about your luggage, but take your travel health into your own hands.