If you or a loved one have ever faced a medical emergency during travel, you probably felt overwhelmed, worried, and maybe frightened. It can be stressful to be forced to make medical decisions when you're unprepared and far from home. That’s why we recommend that you take steps to prepare for a medical emergency during travel, even though you’re unlikely to face one.
The items recommended here are just a starting point. Depending on your medical history and needs, you may want to add more items to your packing and preparation list. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a “pack smart” list on its website that can help you make sure you haven’t overlooked anything.
Things to Pack
Prescription medicines you take every day. Pack what you'll need for the duration of your trip, plus enough extra doses in case a flight cancellation or other delay extends your trip. Travelers should always pack prescription medicines in carry-on bags and in their original labeled containers.
“Emergency-only” medicines. These could include a rescue inhaler for asthma or a prescription treatment for migraines. Again, pack these in your carry-on bag in their original labeled containers.
Over-the-counter medicines. Antihistamine and anti-diarrheal medicine can keep an annoying allergic reaction or illness from becoming worse. Some of these medicines may not be available outside the United States without a prescription, depending on where you’re traveling, so pack them in your suitcase so you’ll have them if needed.
Hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and washable masks. As long as the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, be sure to include these on your packing list. Pack them in your carry-on bag, but make sure your hand sanitizer bottle holds 3.4 ounces or less.
Medical records. If you have a medical history that’s complicated, or if you are traveling for medical reasons, consider copying your medical records onto a USB drive. You also can upload them to a cloud-based storage provider if you are sure you’ll have reliable access to the internet throughout your travels.
Things to check
Any existing travel insurance coverage. Some top-tier credit cards include travel insurance as one of their perks; however, that insurance may only cover trip cancellations or auto accidents. Likewise, travelers who need medical care might be covered under their medical insurance for doctor visits or x-rays. If you want to be truly prepared for a medical emergency during travel, consider purchasing travel insurance before leaving home. You'll want to make sure your policy includes both medical and medical evacuation coverage. Medical evacuation to the United States can easily cost $15,000 to over $200,000, depending on where you are when you become sick or injured.
Cell phone service. Cell phones can be a great help during emergencies, but only if you have reception. The Federal Communications Commission has information on its website as well as questions you should ask your carrier about rates and roaming charges that may apply to calls made from outside the United States. It may be cheaper to purchase a prepaid or pay-as-you-go phone once you reach your destination.
List of emergency contacts. If you haven’t done so in a while, review your list of emergency contacts and make sure all the information you have is up to date. You should also share your travel information with them.
Research medical transport services. Take a few minutes to bookmark or jot down the contact information for a medical transport service such as SentinelMED. That way, you can feel more informed if you or a loved one has a medical emergency during travel that requires transport to the closest medical facility or to the United States for appropriate care.
When A Medical Emergency During Travel Requires Transport
SentinelMED is an experienced provider of domestic and international medical transport, evacuation, and repatriation services. Depending on a patient’s needs, we can arrange for a physician, physician assistant, nurse, or paramedic to travel with a patient as a medical escort. In many cases, the assistance of a medical escort can allow a patient to travel on a commerial ariline, a cost-effective alternative to transport by air ambulance.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
