Danger Tourism And How To Keep Yourself Safe

Danger tourism - or the practice of visiting parts of the world that aren’t as safe as the West - is becoming an increasingly popular pastime. It’s a bit like going on an adventure holiday, except the risks are political instability and violence, not getting stuck down a gorge.

Figuring out how to stay safe, therefore, is a top priority. You don’t want to wander into one of these destinations defenseless. That’s a recipe for disaster.

If traveling to dangerous parts of the world is a part of your itinerary, take a look at the following advice for staying safe.

Keep Your Wealth Private

Most of the most dangerous places in the world are often very poor. Western visitors, therefore, are often seen as high-value targets and a way to get money.

If you travel to a dangerous place, never flash your wealth. Carry a small amount of cash and dress modestly. If going to the Middle East, cover your face. Do whatever you can to blend in with the locals.

Hire A Guide

Only the most experienced travelers explore dangerous locations solo. The vast majority of people get a guide.

Guides are more than just people who take you to visit all the sites. They also specialists who understand the terrority and protect you. In some locations, you will need multiple guides who double as security guards to keep you safe. And you may not want to venture too far out of tourist compounds - especially on your own.

Learn The Basics Of Self-Defense

When traveling to dangerous locations overseas, it helps if you know a thing or two about how to defend yourself if you get into trouble. Knife defense classes teach you how to deal with a situation where somebody is approaching you with a weapon. You learn how to both disarm and disable them so that you can flee safely. You hope that it never comes to this, but it can help you feel more confident when going to more extreme tourist destinations.

Take A Supply Of Over-The-Counter Meds

Getting medical assistance in some locations can be challenging, especially if you’re out in the sticks. Experts, therefore, recommend that you take a supply of over-the-counter meds with you, just in case you fall sick and need immediate relief.

Remember, health risks are considerable in the most dangerous parts of the world. Water supplies might not be safe to drink and give you stomach trouble. And you may expose yourself to rare diseases in tropical locations that don’t exist back home.

Learn Communication Basics

Getting help in a far-flung location can be a challenge. Knowing how to ask for it in the local language is important. Remember, people might not speak common languages, like English or Spanish. Or they may have a local dialect that makes them difficult to understand.

Here are some of the things you might want to learn how to say: