Be Safe During Spring Break. A Guide for Parents and Students

From Moxie Health

While the biggest problems facing most of the thousands of spring breakers headed to the beach in the next few weeks will be hangovers and sunburn, things can happen, and kids and parents should be prepared.

Before anyone takes off for South Padre Island, Lake Havasu or Cancun, it’s a good idea to set some up some safeguards — and have a plan if something does go wrong. Communication is the first to-do on most spring break safety lists. Know when your kid is leaving, where they’re staying and who they’re going with, and ask them to check in by phone on a pre-arranged schedule.

 If you are the spring breaker, have everyone program the emergency contact information for each member of your group into their phones to avoid panic and delay if something does happen.

Be insured for health emergencies

This is especially important if kids are traveling out of the United States. Many student health insurance plans will not cover injuries sustained out of the country and worse, medical evacuation is incredibly expensive, as much as $100,000 for an international airlift by jet and $50,000 domestically. You can buy both health insurance and medical evacuation insurance to cover travel health emergencies.

“We have a great product we hope you will never have to use,” says Sarah Hanley, director of corporate communications for AirMed. With one call, AirMed will dispatch a medically-equipped jet to evacuate an injured kid back home, not just to the nearest acceptable facility, from anywhere on the globe. The company also has a 24/7 medical logistics team that can give referrals, consultations and prescription assistance for sick or injured people abroad. AirMed also provides transport between domestic hospitals and specialty facilities for treatment. AirMed offers short- and long-term student, individual, and family coverage, with costs ranging from $115-$400.

Read the complete Spring Break Safety article at Moxie Lady Online.

Most Dangerous Countries for Drivers

A new study from the University of Michigan maps global fatalities from car accidents.

By Derek Thompson, The Atlantic

Driving a car is safer than ever for the simple reason that cars are safer than ever—thanks to features like seat belts, air bags, and electronic stability control. That's one reason why deaths per miles driven have plummeted around the developed world in the five decades since Ralph Nader published Unsafe at Any Speed. In fact, the U.S. used to be the safest country for drivers among all OECD countries in the early 1970s. By the middle of the last decade, the rest of the world had caught up.

This week, a new study (pdf) from the Transportation Research Initiative at the University of Michigan looks at global driving fatalities with up-to-date World Health Organization data. Around the world, deaths in fatal car crashes are 1/6th as likely as dying from a common health problem, like heart disease. In the U.S., where road crashes account for just 2 percent of deaths, individuals are 13 times more likely to die from cancer.

Read the Full Article at The Atlantic website.

Travel and Health News, the latest issue is out

AirMed is there not only when you need us, but where you need us.

In this issue of Travel+Health, AirMed's member newsletter:

• How does AirMed work?
• A CEO's business trip turns terrifying
• The Number One Traveler's Health Issue 
• Our members sound off, and more!
  

Follow this link to see the full AirMed News. 

Security Concerns for 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Sochi – a city located in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia on the Black Sea coast -- from 7 to 23 February 2014. The Games are expected to draw more than 120,000 spectators, approximately 5,400 athletes and support staff, and thousands of media, broadcasters and Olympic officials.

Travelers to the Games should be aware of the Security Concerns outlined below, along with details regarding security measures, airport facilities, transportation and accommodations. 

Security Concerns

The primary security concern related to the Winter Olympics is terrorism. The potential for protests and other forms of unrest, as well as general concerns related to crime and the rate of corruption in Russia, should also be considered.

Terrorism

Although Sochi has remained relatively free of terror activity in recent years, terrorism is the primary security concern for the Olympics. Both domestic and transnational militant Islamist groups could target the Olympic Games; however, the Caucasus Emirate (CE) -- a domestically operating militant Islamist group that is part of the global jihadist movement -- is most likely to be the perpetrator of any attacks during the Olympics.

Crime
Due to its prominent status as a domestic tourist destination and the associated high level of security, serious crime has traditionally been less of a concern for travelers in Sochi than in some other Russian cities. Concerns are heightened during the Games. however, due to the potential for opportunistic individuals seeking to take advantages of the large number of foreign travelers. Basic precautions against petty and other minor crimes should be taken, and travelers should avoid the poorer residential areas outside of the main Olympic venues as a precaution.

Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity or sexual orientation are a concern in many Russian cities. In light of the increased international attention, security forces will likely be more diligent in responding to and preventing such incidents, particularly when foreign nationals are involved. All foreigners should act with caution when mingling with locals, and potential targets of hate crimes should minimize time spent in isolated areas and avoid public displays of affection or other identifying remarks in these situations.

Anti-LGTB Legislation
As indicated in the Protests and Other Disorder section above, Russia recently passed a law that bans homosexual “propaganda” aimed at minors, which has prompted considerable international discussion regarding the rights of LGTB visitors to Russia during the Games. While the law itself fails to adequately define what is considered “propaganda” and does potentially allow the prosecution of activists for a wide variety of actions, the Russian
leadership has repeatedly assured that, while all Russian laws will be enforced during the Games, the rights of LGTB spectators and participants will be respected.

Security Measures
Intensive security measures are being put in place for the Games. An estimated US$3 billion of the US$51 billion budget for the Sochi Olympics is reportedly being used for security. In addition to physical security barriers, reports have indicated that the city and venues are also being equipped with approximately 1,400 closed circuit TVs. It remains unclear the extent to which these security measures will be visible to the general public or hamper movement or other activity during the Games.

For a full copy of the Olympic Games Sochi security report, which includes extensive background information along with airport and transportation logistics, AirMed members may contact us to request it. 800-356-2161 or email. 

How to Get Your Luggage Back

So you're standing at the luggage carousel like an putz. Everybody else on your flight has already gotten their gear and left, as have two flights that landed after yours, but you're still there, silently praying that you bag is just a second away from popping through the hole and tumbling down into your waiting arms. It's not going to happen. Here's what to do.

Blaze a Paper Trail

Do not leave the airport without filing a bag claim with the airline. This is essential because, just as with arguing your way out of service fees, filing the claim establishes a clear paper trail of when and where the loss occurred. This is super helpful, as nothing stops service agents from giving you the runaround faster than facts, and you're going to get a good deal of runaround.

Don't Hesitate to Escalate

So it's been two days in paradise, you're still wearing the same pants you got off the plane with, and the most helpful response you've received from your airline's customer service so far has been a perfunctory shoulder shrug. It's time to complain louder.

For more helpful information, read the full article at gizmodo.com.

Winter Driving Tips, Surviving Jet Lag, the Smallest Heart Patient and More

The latest AirMed Travel + Health News is full of great information for all of your travel and health needs this holiday season.  Jet lag? No problem. We've got ways to combat it.  Read all about one of our smallest and most miraculous patients and so much more. 

Click this link to read all the AirMed News and even get a discount code to Give the Gift of AirMed to the travelers in your life!

Visit us anytime at airmed.com to find our more about our life-saving air medical memberships with great benefits such as Second Opinion Referrals, 24/7 Medical Services Hotline and more.

Flu Shots, Flu Season, Know What's What

Don't get your flu shot too early!!  Visit airmed.com to find out about medical evacuation assistance from the leading air ambulance in North America.

Delays in U.S. Airport Customs Take Economic Toll

Hurry Up and Wait.

The time spent in Customs lines in U.S. airports equates to an economic loss of $416 million annually, according to a study just released by the United States Travel Association.

The report, entitled “Gateway to Jobs & Growth,” examines the effect the U.S. entry process has on the U.S. economy. Some of its other findings include an estimated 2.7 million international travelers do not even attempt to cross U.S. borders due to perceived or, in some cases, actual red-tape involved in the Customs process. The USTA estimates this translates into a 11.1 billion economic loss.

In addition to identifying current problems, the study contains 20 policy recommendations on how to improve the entry experience for international travelers coming to the U.S. and to better support hard-working officers at Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) who strive daily to keep our nation secure. 

The U.S. Travel Association’s report proposes hiring an additional 3,500 Customs officers and implementing new technology to reduce peak wait times by 50 percent and process each international traveler within 30 minutes of arrival. The findings were compiled in a letter to Congress and signed by prominent travel industry executives.

The average Customs wait time at the Miami International airport is 4.48 hours.

Travel, Health, AirMed's Latest Newsletter

In this issue of AirMed News, we spotlight some of the best travel apps for smart phones to help your travel worries be few and far between. Also, one of AirMed's own staff recalls the reason she supports organ donation in a heartbreaking and uplifting story. 

Check out the member questions, a professional racecar driver's AirMed transport story, and so much more.

Travel Health News from AirMed - 2013

Top U.S. Travel Destinations for 2013

Some of the Best Travel Destinations are Right Here

AirMed is an important enhancement to existing health and travel insurance. Most insurance policies focus on trip cancellation and lost luggage. AirMed focuses on taking care of your family when you need us the most. In other words, we save lives, not luggage. Find out more at airmed.com. 

How many travelers require emergency care?

It Happens More Than You Would Think

AirMed is an important enhancement to existing health and travel insurance. Most insurance policies focus on trip cancellation and lost luggage. AirMed focuses on taking care of your family when you need us the most. In other words, we save lives, not luggage.

As an AirMed member, you will receive air medical transportation from any point on the globe if you are ill or injured while away from home. Find out complete details for your family, at airmed.com. 

Worldwide Heart Attack Stats

Heart Failure Can Happen Anywhere

AirMed memberships will bring you home to the hospital of your choice if you are hospitalized while away from home. Find out complete details for your family, at airmed.com. 

Travel with the Facts: Dangers of Driving at Night

Be Careful of Your Surroundings in the Late Hours!

Always Drive Responsibly

Ninety percent of a driver's reaction depends on vision, and vision is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown. Older drivers have even greater difficulties seeing at night. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year old. 

Traffic crashes that include at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 g/dl or greater account for about 32% of total traffic fatalities. That makes weekend nights more dangerous. More fatal crashes take place on weekend nights than at any other time in the week.

AirMed memberships will bring you home to the hospital of your choice if you are injured while away from home. Find out complete details for your family at airmed.com.