While it is nice to have fun and relax on vacation and not be worried, it is also important to be safe and take simple preventive measures like wearing a helmet or packing up a first aid kit. Any situation can spin quickly or differently from out of your hands, so simple actions can make a difference! However, if you think you can be in this type of situation ever, here are a few hints regarding how to be found more quickly and easily.
Is a family vacation no longer exciting? Has it become simply one more chore that must be gotten through each year? If so, it's time to mix things up. If this sounds like something your family would enjoy, a trip of this type should definitely be planned.
Following are some tips that will be helpful in planning the perfect adventure vacation for your family.
1. GPS
The best advice I have is not to get lost in the beginning. GPS is a great tool, but knowing whether condition, closest town is north, south, east or west, will help fill the gap when the batteries are empty.
If you are on the water, ensure that your boat has enough fuel or a good radio, preferably both. Another free way to find yourself is to inform someone in your home about your itinerary and the expected arrival time. It's not perfect, but, it helps us to determine the accurate location.
2. Life Jacket
When sailing, the US Coast Guard approved life jackets that I'm sure you always carry with you. They look nice on black, but black, blue, dark green and other similar shades are not so easy to see from our plane, especially at night. Make a fashion statement in international orange, start a trend!
Even with a life jacket, you only have about 7 hours in 60 degrees of water when you wear light clothing. The color of your life jacket can make a difference. An inflatable lifejacket is a great compromise between style and visibility.
3. Flashlight
A flashlight is an excellent tool. The wonders of modern science have given us incredibly bright flashlights, perfect for illuminating the dark night, pointing things out and blinding small animals and friends. If an aircraft or a rescue boat searching for you at night, it will be easier to find if you flash the light towards the search element.
An alternative choice is an actual strobe light, as it does the flashing for you. Remember the night is dark and although we have interesting objects like night vision goggles, All they do is make the night less dark.
However, if you use a flashlight or strobe, it will come out like a sore thumb. When you visit the internet, you will find impressive laser emergency signals. It sounds great, but remember that planes take lasers very seriously and you may just cause them to depart scene instead of pick you up.
Pilots, cannot distinguish the difference between a benign laser signal and a dangerously powerful laser that can affect our vision. For instance, you shouldn't ever lase a plane, regardless of how much you need to observe how far your awesome new toy goes. It's a federal crime and taken very seriously nowadays.
No less than the FBI is knocking at your door to inform you about your upcoming fines and possible prison sentences. Seriously, a man in California got 14 years jail for lasing a police helicopter and a Medevac helicopter.
4. Signal Mirror
In broad daylight, it can be difficult for your flashlight to compete with this great torch in the sky: the sun. With the signal mirror, you can take advantage of the sun in your favor. You need some practice to use them correctly, but they don't have batteries or other electronic devices that can die in difficult times.
You can also use it to make your hair perfect for the rescue selfie when help arrives. The most effective tools to be found quickly is PLB (Personal Locating Beacon) or 406 EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). Nowadays they are a similar size to some decks of cards and are quite cheap for their abilities.
All you have to do is press a button (and perhaps lift an antenna) and send a signal with your information and your position to a satellite-monitored by the Air Force. The rescue teams will head your way. On land, reach a higher place if you're able to. While you simply need to see the sky for the satellite to receive the signal, mountains and such causes it to be difficult for an aircraft to home in on it.
If you buy one, register it according to the instructions. Registration is free Just go to the website and enter the information. That way if it goes off by chance, the company can call you besides launching the fleet. In addition to the simple EPIRB, there are many types of GPS positioning devices are available in the market. Do some research, see what is right for you.
5. Emergency Survival Blanket
Let's say, you are in trouble already and no way to help come today. A space blanket is a great thing to take with you. They are incredibly compact because of the insulation they provide. Seriously, you would not believe that a super thin reflective mylar would really do much, but it really does. They are also light reflective and shiny, can be used as a signal device.
And they came from space. Ok, no, they didn't, I made that up. But I will suggest you take one and check it out. It is not a bad idea to pack some rations in case of emergencies because nothing is more miserable than getting stuck in the middle of nowhere hungry and thirsty. Just don't drink salty water.
I would also recommend taking some first aid items with you. Because most people get in distress is caused by injury, so if you have anything to help, you can make a difference while waiting for help.
If you think of the cost of survival items, you should consider this as an insurance policy. Of course, if you get some of the luxurious things, it can cost a few hundred dollars, but wouldn't you pay a few hundred dollars to not disappearing in the ocean?
Consider the difficulty of finding flight 370 from Malaysia Air and remember that you are much smaller than a jumbo jet. There is no accurate solution for being found, even an EPIRB 406 has its limits. But something is certainly better than nothing in terms of survival. Have a look around, do your homework, and find out what best meets your needs.
Here is a list of Safety Items to Consider.
- Waterproof Floating LED Flashlight.
- Light and Waterproof Medical Kits.
- Emergency Survival or Space Blanket.
- Personal Locating Beacon with 406 MHz + ACR PLB-375 ResQLink.
- Strobe and 121 MHz Homing Beacon, Floating PLB, Built-In GPS.
- PA Plus Chemical Water Treatment - Coleman Potable Aqua.
- StarFlash Emergency Signal Mirror.
- ACR Firefly Pro Led Strobe Light.
- UST Wetfire Tinder.
- Inflatable Life Vest PFD-Revere ComfortMax Auto.
6. Consider the needs of the group
When traveling as a family, it is important to make sure everyone's needs are met. For example, if someone has a medical condition, have you checked that they can be cared for where you are going? It is a good idea to do some research into the country's medical care system, so you know what to do if an emergency arises.
If you have young children, you need to know that you can take enough of their milk in your case, or at least be able to get it at your destination. Does someone in your party have a food allergy? Check how easy it will be for them to find food on your holiday. It may seem like hard work, but it is important to consider everyone in the group.
It can be hard to find something the entire family enjoys doing together. Doesn't it always seem as if one person wants to be difficult and refuses to participate in fun things? When planning the trip, try to make sure everyone gets time for their favorite activity.
7. Do your research
Research about the place you are traveling to so that you can visit the best historical places or restaurants or landmarks without wasting too much time.
The more you learn about somewhere before you go, the better time you will have. Make sure you read up about standard things like the currency and climate, but also etiquette and laws — the last thing you want is to make a faux pas on your first night — or something even worse. Find out where is cheap to eat, drink and visit. Also look up where are the safest spots or places to avoid, so you are not surprised when you arrive.
It can be hard to find something the entire family enjoys doing together. Doesn't it always seem as if one person wants to be difficult and refuses to participate in fun things? When planning the trip, try to make sure everyone gets time for their favorite activity. Don't stop here, however. Try something new while vacationing.
This may be canyoneering, zip linings, or exploring a volcano. Families that take the time to do so may find they have finally discovered an activity the entire family enjoys doing together.
Spend time learning about the host city before you travel. When the family arrives, it is interesting to know the background of major buildings and other attractions in the area. Furthermore, this research can lead the family to learn about a new food or a new type of dance found in the city. They may wish to try this dish or plan an evening out on the town to try the dance.
People who overlook this step often find they miss out on one or more great things about this destination simply because they neglected to do their research.
Whether you are travelling abroad or within your country, studying up about the travel destination may very well prove to be a lifesaver. Find out everything you can about the place; its weather, the culture, the prevailing political conditions, most reasonable yet safe accommodations for tourists and places that should be avoided.
Make a list of tourist attractions to visit that are safe. Also, keep an eye on the local news and what is happening around the region to make sure you do not get any surprises when you visit your destination.
When you choose a travel destination you need to keep some points in mind. Let's see some of those points. What are your expectations from your holiday? What is your travel budget? How many people are there with you? are you single or in a group? How many days travel are you planning? When you answer all the questions you must now plan your next course of action.
That is to book your tickets and start shopping the necessary items for your vacation to the place you are traveling. Now it so happens that we also need to save up some expenses as to have money in case of any emergency when we are travelling or going on a vacation. So here are some smart tricks to cut down on expenses.
In these days of internet avail online offers which can be of great help to you and save a lot of your money. Use of public transport instead of cabs and private vehicle. If you are student do ask if there are any student offers available and don’t shy just ask. Keeping extra cash with you might just help you in some kind of emergency situations.
Use food delivery apps for food as there are many exciting offers which you can avail on the go. With all these simple hacks you in the last will have save at least have the money and cut your travel expenses by 30 percent.
8. Save up
If you want to go on your dream holiday you might be looking at quite a pricey trip. Look at ways you can save money in your everyday life to allow you to put more towards spending money for your holiday. For example, could you cut down the number of takeouts you have in a month? Are there any subscriptions you could give up for a few months while you save up? The little things you cut down now will allow you to have an amazing time on your trip.
9. Get excited!
One of the best parts of going on holiday is the anticipation! Let your children get involved in the research; looking at pictures of where you are going, thinking of activities they would like to do, and making a countdown. This will also help them with any anxiety about travel they may feel if this is their first trip away from home. Discuss where you will be staying and what they can expect to help them feel excited.
10. Plan — but not too much
The first day of a trip is usually spent on getting used to the surroundings and getting your things in order. Hauling your things from one place to another and making sure all your luggage has arrived in one piece can take a while. Therefore, it is best to plan the first 24 hours of your trip ahead of time.
Estimate the time it would take for you to reach from the airport to your hotel or resort where you have reserved your accommodations. Take a walk around the place you are staying to get acquainted with your surroundings. This may also help you to shake off any fatigue or jetlag from travelling.
After doing so, you can also look for a relaxing spot - a heated pool or a spa - to end your day in a relaxing manner after a long day that has been spent travelling.
As soon as you know that you want to go away for awhile, you should start to research and plan. You will feel more stressed the less time you have to get things done, so it is important that you start this process as soon as you possibly can. This way, you will be a lot more organised, and should avoid making any frustrating mistakes. Booking early also means that you will save money on flights and accommodation, so you will have a more flexible budget to work with.
Take every family member into consideration when making the travel arrangements. While it may seem wiser to try to fly non-stop to the destination, determine how long this will take and how younger children will be affected. It's hard for a young child to sit still for hours on end, even when flying on an airplane. It may be best to plan this flight for the overnight hours, so the kids sleep a portion of this time.
This means parents will spend fewer hours trying to keep them entertained so they don't annoy fellow travelers. This is only one of many ways travel arrangements play a role in the success or failure of the adventure vacation. Parents know their children best and what they can and cannot tolerate. They must keep the child's likes and dislikes in mind when planning every portion of the trip.
Setting an itinerary is a great way of making sure that everyone gets to see and do everything they want, but if you plan everything too strictly it may take the fun away from it and won't allow for any spontaneity. If you feel as though you are rushing from one thing to another you might not feel able to enjoy what you are doing at the time!
Allow spaces for resting, spontaneous adventures and even time for doing nothing at all. You will be glad you did! If you will be traveling with your family, ensure that you find a destination that has fun activities for kids. Disney world would be great for you in this regard.
11. Think about what you want
Before you travel it is important to think about what it is that you want to get out of the experience. Is the primary reason to relax and recharge? Or are you looking to get active and try new things? Do you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, or get your adrenaline pumping with activities? Make sure that you all know what to expect from the holiday so that no one is disappointed.
12. Should I Buy a Full-Fare Ticket or Travel Insurance?
When flexibility is key, travel insurance may not offer complete coverage. Many individuals look to travel insurance policies to cover their travel investment in the worst case scenario. If a traveler is forced to cancel their trip due to a family emergency, work reasons, or a sick pet, they often believe that purchasing travel insurance early is their best bet.
Is there a better way to make sure travelers are covered in every scenario? Travelers who opt to purchase a full-fare ticket (also known as an unrestricted ticket) don't just get the added luxuries of being at the top of the upgrade list and preferential treatment if a flight is delayed by weather or other situations.
Those travelers who pay the higher price have the most flexibility when it comes to their travels. In many situations, full-fare fliers can change their plans without the fees many other travelers face. If flexibility is critical, which makes more sense: the full-fare ticket, or purchasing travel insurance early? Depending on your needs, both options have key advantages and disadvantages.
Often referred to as "Y" tickets in economy, full-fare tickets are exactly what the name suggests: a ticket sold at the full price, unlike discount tickets that come from lower fare codes. In return for paying full price, the full-fare ticket comes with the most flexibility for travelers.
On many air carriers, full-fare ticket rules allow travelers to change their plans with little or no penalty, including changing dates and other plans. In addition, those who hold a full-fare and frequent flier status with their airline are immediately bumped to the front of the first class upgrade line.
However, these tickets are called "full-fare" for a reason. A "Y" ticket can often cost the same price (if not more) as a round-trip business class or first-class ticket. While some frequent fliers have found ways to skirt the issue, the full-fare ticket comes with a significantly higher price tag.
It's important to note that while "Y" tickets are more flexible than their counterparts, the tickets do not carry any form of insurance attached to them. That is, while a traveler would be able to cancel their ticket with little to no restrictions, the ticket would offer very limited assistance in the event of an extended trip delay or interruption due to weather or another qualifying event.
13. Manage Your Wealth and Valuables
If you are travelling within your country, make sure you have a reasonable amount of cash with you in case you cannot find an ATM upon your arrival and have to pay for services and amenities. In case you are travelling abroad, find a bank with an ATM to make a withdrawal in the local currency.
Avoid using public ATMs in airports or shopping malls as they have a high risk of having skimming or card reading devices, thus increasing the risk of credit card fraud. Also, inform your bank about your travel plans ahead of time as they tend to increase the monitoring on your credit card activity for credit card fraud detection.
It is needless to mention that you must take extra care of your valuables including your jewellery, wallet, passport and other travel and identity documents that you are carrying with you.
14. Should I buy travel insurance?
For those travelers on a budget, travel insurance is the cost-effective way to ensure assistance while far from home. For a fraction of the total trip cost, a travel insurance policy can cover qualifying situations requiring a traveler to cancel their trip, medical costs if the traveler needs to visit a hospital, and even medical evacuation if an air ambulance is required.
While travel insurance can help travelers safe, it doesn't cover every situation. For example, travelers who purchase their plans after a "known event," such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack, may not have coverage for situations related to the event.
In practice: if a traveler purchases travel insurance after a major earthquake and an aftershock happens after arrival, then the travel insurance may not cover claims resulting from the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. In addition, not all trip cancellation reasons may be covered. While an illness or injury may be covered under the trip cancellation clause, cancelling for a work reasons may not be covered.
If flexibility is a must, travelers who purchase early can often access cancel for any reason benefits from their travel insurance provider. Under this benefit, travelers can cancel their trip at their discretion and still receive some reimbursement. However, purchasing a cancel for any reason benefit can add up to 40 percent to the price of an insurance policy.
In addition, many travel insurance providers limit how much travelers can receive when canceling for any reason, meaning a full refund may not be possible.
At the end of the day, which makes more sense? While some travelers will appreciate the flexibility of a full-fare ticket, the provisions of a good travel insurance policy may provide just as much protection. By understanding how both work, travelers can make the best decisions for their next adventure.
15. Pack versatile clothing
A good rule of thumb when packing clothes for travel is to go for items that can be versatile. They will help to dress up or dress down for outdoors or indoors on their own or as part of a layered look. Neutral colors and light materials will help you save packing space and give you plenty of options. Have a think about what you will be doing whilst you are away and only pack what you need.
If you follow these tips you will have a fantastic time and before you even land at home you will all be wanting to plan your next family holiday! Explore this travel blog for more inspiring travel articles to motivate and help you for preparing your next dream trip. Do you have any other tips? Leave them in the comments!