Illustrations by Marcos Montiel
No, no, no!
Its going to hurt, she warned me, but we have to do it.
Id broken my leg, and I was in for a long, lonesome night.
Credit:Illustrations by Marcos Montiel
That trip, which I turned down, ended with the loss of five lives, along with theTitansubmersible.
The near miss, coupled with my injury, forced me to reckon with risk.
Things like evacuation plans and travel insurance are now top of mind, no matter where Im headed.
Illustrations by Marcos Montiel
Still, Im not giving up my adrenaline-pumping trips.
Im just approaching them with a new mindset and embracing this advice.
Dig for details.
The good operators will have a risk- and crisis-management plan, he says.
Ask them, Whats your plan for getting somebody out?
Get covered.
Standard-issue travel insurance policies dont cover all scenarios.
Be your own backup.
Getting certified in wilderness first aid can give adventurers peace of mind.
Carry critical communications gear.
Most off-the-grid operators will pack a satellite phone as part of their emergency kit.
Individuals can also carry their own SOS beacons, such as theGarmin inReach Mini 2.
Know whom to call.
In some parts of the world, simply reaching emergency services can be a challenge.
The U.S. Department of State has a list of country-specific corollaries to 911 on its website.
Keep your contacts in the loop.
Share emergency-response plans and the phone numbers for search and rescue services in the area youre visiting.
And dont forget to see if your emergency contact will be in reach during your travel dates.
Rethink your goals.
The goal should always be to come home.
