Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Staying Healthy on the Road
Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 May 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: London
Posts: 60
medivac

hello all,

does anybody know of a good insurance policy that will cover medical evacuation from africa in case of emergency?

is this necessary, or do most people not bother?

also, is it advisable to have a satalite phone in africa for emergencies or am i being paranoid?

thanks for your help.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Jun 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
It a good idea to carry a sat phone anyway but keep it concealed until needed, and don’t use it in front of officials (check points, etc.) But who are you gonna call? Check to see if there are rescue operations in the country you’re in and always carry those number. Also carry the number of your local embassies just in case. There’s no point calling London when you’re stuck in the Sahara .

If you carry one of the GSM based sat phone then you’ll find the SMS service very useful and costs next to nothing. Turn on the phone every night to get and send your messages.

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Jun 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Belgium
Posts: 469
I have heard and actually met people who found help with field hospitals from the Red Cross and Doctors without borders. it might be an idea to contact these organisations to find out where they have field operations going on in remote area's. I met a nurse from Doctors Without Borders who managed to evacuated hereself to a Red Cross field hospital in Kenia after she crashed with a small plane coming from Ethioupia. It safed her life.

About insurance companies and SAR operations. If you can get a hold of them and the area you're in is covered they probable contact the local army through your goverment to ask them if they want to come out and help you. But these diplomatic things might take days to get organised or just not happen at all.

I know there is an international SAR organisation based somewhere in Scandinavia. You need to buy a sattelite transmitter of them. If you are in trouble you have to activate the transmitter and it will then send a signal with you position to the headquarters of the organisations. They then organise the SAR. In sailing this system is very often used and basicly the only one that is usable on sea / ocean. But it is expensive and I am not sure you're insurance would cover the cost of a rescue of this scale.

Why not get a good EMT training yourself (see http://www.wildmed.com/ ) and take a good first aid kit with you. That might help you quite a bit already.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jun 2002
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,006
I recently became aware of Medjet Assistance, which charges $175 per year for membership. http://www.medjetassistance.com/

Michael Paull used their services when he was injured recently in China, and had to be evacuated to Seattle. He gave them a glowing endorsement.
Quote:
"... After an additional three days in Beijing, I was deemed stable enough for air evacuation back to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA, in the company of my wife Aillene (who had flown in from Japan), and a air transport trauma nurse provided by the company that I had procured medical evacuation insurance from, MEDJET Assistance - without doubt, the best insurance coverage I have ever purchased in my life.

A small plug here - these people were remarkable, and I hope to provide some further information about them in a future update. If there was ever a better case for '...don't leave home without it.', MEDJET Assistance is at the top of my checklist, no matter where I travel (and I hope to do a LOT more)."
Their website isn't crystal clear on whether they cover non-USA / Canadian residents, so I have sent them an e-mail to clarify, and will advise when I get an official response.

But if they do, then it's probably a good thing to have. Travelling overland on a motorcycle is inherently more risky than taking a packaged tour to the Costa del Sol, and accidents do happen. I think we'll use this service for our next overland trip across Asia.


------------------
Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:16.