1st Edition

Personal Security A Guide for International Travelers

By Tanya Spencer Copyright 2014
    376 Pages 22 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    376 Pages
    by Routledge

    Maintain peace of mind while you are working or living abroadwherever and however you travel.

    As an international traveler, you know there are risks. But are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and your belongings? Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers enables you to prevent security incidents and react in life-saving ways during a crisis. This comprehensive manual answers questions such as: Which criteria should you use for selecting the safest hotel or airline? How to deal with corrupt officials? What are special considerations for women, families, elderly, or travelers with disabilities? What support can you expect from your organization and what are your responsibilities?

    • Benefit from lessons learned from leading experts and seasoned travelers
    • Learn how criminals select their targets and manipulate situations, whether for street crime or serious attack such as kidnapping or terrorism
    • See yourself from the local perspective
    • Deal with common travel inconveniences and stress factors proactively
    • Improve your situational awareness
    • Increase your effectiveness by realistically assessing threats
    • Make the most out of the opportunities that traveling brings

    Tanya Spencer has traveled extensively to high-risk destinations and has trained 1000s of people how to safely navigate the complexities of international travel. Emphasizing prevention, the book covers medical, cultural, and political considerations, so you understand exactly what you must do before and while you are abroad. It provides flexible frameworks, models, and tools that allow you to easily apply the wealth of tips and advice to any travel situation you might face. Before your next trip, benefit from these time-tested strategies for proactively managing travel risks.

    Before You Go
    Proactively Analyzing the Risks 
         Threat Assessment 
         Context Assessment 
         Situational Analysis 
         Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
    Personal Considerations and Vulnerability Analysis 
         Business Travelers 
         Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers 
         Women Travelers 
         Travelers with Disabilities 
         Elderly Travelers 
         Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers
         Traveling Families 
         Religious Travelers
    Building Situational Awareness
    Planning and Preparing
    Organizational Considerations 
         Duty of Care 
         Duty of Loyalty
    Political Considerations
    Cultural Considerations
    Medical Considerations
    Insurance
    Personal Belongings and Documents 
         Pack with Security in Mind 
         "Secret Stash" 
         Safer Luggage and Belongings 
         Travel Documents
    Information Security: Identity Theft and Industrial Espionage
         Identity Theft 
         Industrial Espionage
    Communication Equipment and Procedures
         Communication Equipment 
         Communication Procedures 
         Communication Contingencies
    Airports and Airlines
    Transportation
    Accommodation
    Home Protection
    Well-Being: Dealing with Fear, Anxiety, and Insecurity
    Worth Knowing, Before You Go: Chapter 1 Summary
    References

    While Traveling
    Understanding the Potential Risks While Traveling 
         Safest and Most Dangerous Locations: Worldwide Comparison 
         Murder 
         Terrorism 
         Sexual Violence 
         Kidnapping 
         Carjackings/Hijackings 
         Civic Unrest 
         Information Security 
         Crime 
         Corruption 
         Natural Disasters and Complex Emergencies 
         Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
    Personal Considerations 
         Business Travelers 
         Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers 
         Women Travelers
         Travelers with Disabilities
         Elderly Travelers 
         Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers 
         Traveling Families 
         Religious Travelers
    Implementing Situational Awareness
    Preparedness
    Organizational Considerations
    Political Considerations
    Cultural Considerations
    Medical Considerations
    Insurance
    Personal Belongings and Documents 
         Wallets and Purses
         Prioritize Safeguarding Valuable Documents 
         As You Move About
    Information Security: Identity Theft and Industrial Espionage
         Opportunistic Threats 
         Determined Threats
    Communication Equipment and Procedures 
         Mobile Phones 
         Laptop Computers
    Airports and Airlines
    Transportation 
         Walking 
         Using Public Transportation 
         Taking Taxis 
         Renting Vehicles 
         Approaching Your Vehicle 
         Driving Around 
         Parking Safely 
         Getting through Checkpoints
    Accommodation 
         Safe Residential Living
    Crime and Corruption 
         Snatching 
         Distracting 
         Befriending/Confi dence Scams 
         At Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) 
         Credit Card Skimming 
         Violent Crime 
         After a Crime 
         Corruption
    Well-Being: Stress Management
    Worth Knowing, While Traveling: Chapter 2 Summary
    References

    Extreme Risks
    Preventing and Reacting to Extreme Risks 
         Life Is Full of Risks, but Opportunities Come to Those Who Manage Them
    Surveillance 
         Know How to Read the Signposts and Indicators 
         Know How to Prevent and React 
         Know How to React if Followed by a Vehicle While Driving
    Kidnapping 
         Basics: Facts, Stats, and Definitions
         Motivation: The "Why’s" and How These Affect You 
         Stages: What Is Happening and Your Response Options 
         Captivity: What to Expect 
         Prevention: How Not to Become a Victim
    Sexual Violence
    Carjackings 
         Surviving a Carjacking
    Demonstrations and Riots
    Plane Crash 
         Prepare for "Best Available Decisions" before a "Worst-Case Scenario" 
         Choose the Safest Seat, or Can You? 
         Survive the Initial Impact 
         Expect a Fire and Get Out
    Medical Emergencies
    Terrorist Attacks 
         Analysis Aids Avoidance 
         Life-Saving Reactions during an Actual Attack, but Prevention Is Still Best
    Worth Knowing, Extreme Risks: Chapter 3 Summary
    References

    Further Reading and Resources
    General Preparation: Threat, Context, and Situational Assessments
    Personal Preparations, Planning, and Packing
    Business Travelers
    Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Travelers
    Women Travelers
    Travelers with Disabilities
    Elderly Travelers
    Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgender Travelers
    Traveling Families
    Religious Travelers
    Accommodations
    Active Listening Skills
    Air Travel
    Corruption
    Credit Cards Skimming and ATMs
    Crime: Street and Violent
    Cultural Considerations
    Date Rape Drugs
    Demonstrations and Civil Unrest
    Duty of Care/Duty of Loyalty
    Home Security
    Honey Traps, Social Engineering, Scams, and Psychological Tricks
    Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Landmines, and Grenades
    Industrial Espionage
    Information Security, Identity Theft, and Social Media
    Information Security: Recovery Steps for Lost or Stolen Data
    Insurance
    Kidnappings
    Medical Considerations and First Aid
    Mobile Devices: Laptops, Phones, and Tablets
    Money Matters
    Natural Disasters
    Political Considerations
    Sexual Violence and Harassment
    Situational Awareness
    Surveillance
    Terrorism
    Transportation: Driving and Rental Vehicles
    Transportation: Public Transportation and Walking
    Transportation: Taxis
    Transportation Hazards: Accidents
    Transportation Hazards: Carjacking/Hijacking
    Transportation Hazards: Checkpoints

    Well-Being, Stress, and Fear

    Index

    Biography

    Tanya Spencer

    Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers provides the perfect mix of lessons-learned, tools, and recommendations from experts so that readers can personalize their own approach to managing travel risks. If followed, the information provided will allow readers to get out and experience the local culture while still traveling safely.
    —Bernie Sullivan, Director Global Security, Hanesbrands Inc.

    ...a must-have for any traveler. Having worked in South and Southeast Asia, I know the advice provided in the book holds the key to keeping safe, avoiding dangerous situations, and managing threats when they occur. The book’s methodological framework, combined with the author’s extensive experience and hands-on knowledge, provide very practical and useful advice.
    Kathrine Alexandrowiz, Independent consultant at Kathalyst, former coordinator for the "Regional Risk Management Project for NGOs in Asia Pacific" (ECHO)

    ...
    a go-to guide for all travelers irrespective of mission or purpose. An excellent piece of work.
    —Major Avtar Singh, CPP, CFE, CAS, Chairman, ASIS International New Delhi, India, Chapter # 207

    This is a must-read book and an invaluable resource for global corporations and international business travelers—those concerned with security and safety issues while working and living abroad. Personal stories from experienced travelers, combined with Spencer’s expert advice, highlight a broad range of critical issues, particularly ways to avoid risk and danger during worldwide travels.
    Christina Fuglsbjerg, Global Mobility Specialist, AS3 Companies

    Each of us have individual reasons that compel us to travel—for recreation, for passion, or for our work. Travel security awareness is critical and something that should be ever-present, though that is not always the case. The author provides the reader with an original, easy-to-read book that makes the perils of travel, and how to manage them, understandable even to non-security experts. Happy reading and safe travels!
    —Federico Bernasconi, Head of Security, Prysmian Group

    In today’s uncertain world, Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers is essential reading for business and leisure travelers the world over. Using her wealth of experience and knowledge, Spencer delivers a highly informative and invaluable guide, presenting personal safeguards and precautions—both pre- and post-departure—that can be taken. A highly recommended read.
    Adrian Shaw, Founder of Expatcompare and Head of Medical & Travel—AAIB; specialist in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and frontier markets