Student Abroad Handbook -- How to Get There... and Back

Personal Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Knowing the answers to the questions found below can be a good first step in helping to keep yourself safer in an emergency by creating a personal EAP. If you need help drawing a map, finding escape routes or writing emergency preparedness directions/steps, consider asking yourself the following series of questions. You should really try to include answers to all of these questions in your personal EAP:

Know Where to Go

Where should you go first in an emergency, and what method of transportation will you use to get there?

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Be aware of all your emergency transportation options. Know the numbers for the following:

Airport:	____________________	Bus Station:	____________________
Train Station:	____________________	Metro Station:	____________________
Rent-a-Car:	____________________	Boat/Ferry/Port Authority:	____________________

Know Your Emergency Contact Information

In addition to your personal emergency contacts, we also recommend you look up/ask for the numbers for the following individuals and agencies nearest to your study abroad and/or travel location(s):

City or country's 911 equivalent:	____________________	Local Government/Visa office:	____________________
Consulate/Embassy:	____________________	Police:	____________________
Fire:	____________________	Hospital:	____________________
Post Office:	____________________	Translator Service:	____________________
Lawyer:	____________________	Red Cross:	____________________
24-Hour Assist/Insurance Hotline:	____________________	Other:	____________________

Who will you call first, second, third, etc. in an emergency?

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Do your emergency contacts have each others' phone numbers so they can communicate and relay information about you to each other?

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What are some alternate ways of communicating with your emergency contacts?

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The following are some communication options you may have available:

Telephone	Cell Phone/Text Message
Satellite Phone	Fax
E-mail/Internet	PDA/Palm Pilot
Post Office/Express Mail Service	Wire Service

Who would you like those assisting you to contact in the event of your illness, injury, incarceration, kidnapping, etc...?

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Do all of your emergency contacts know what your wishes are in the event of your serious injury or death?

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Where does your nearest emergency contact live, and how fast can you get to him/her?

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Back-up Plan/Special Conditions

If the situation does not permit you to follow the original emergency plan, what is the back-up plan (Plan B)?

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Are there any other special conditions to consider which are unique to your situation (i.e. weather conditions/hazards in your region of study/travel, a personal physical handicap, poor public transportation or phone service in your area...)?

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Emergency Kit/Money

Which items do you still need to add to your emergency first aid kit before it is fully stocked and ready?

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Do you have emergency cash reserves, travelers' checks, credit cards, etc. on-hand, in case you can't count on banks/ATMs, or get to a bank/ATM?

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Using the emergency supplies and reserve money you have set aside, for how many days would you be able to sustain yourself, and what would you use each day?

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