Planning to travel solo?
Solo travel is huge right now. More people are traveling alone than ever before. Unfortunately, there are some things you won’t learn from traditional travel resources…
Hidden dangers can hurt or even kill you.
That lost wallet you hear about in sketchy neighborhoods. Sure. Stick to the tourist area tip is important!
But did you know about some of these other dangers? There are sneaky perils out there that catch seasoned travellers off guard too.In this article, you’ll discover:
- Why Concussions Are EVERY Solo Travellers Worst Nightmare
- The Emergency Room Most Travellers Won’t Visit
- The Safety Tips That’ll Actually Keep You Safe
- How to Create your Own Safety Net
Why Concussions Are EVERY Solo Travellers Worst Nightmare
The problem with travelling alone…
Someone has your back! If something goes wrong, who’s there to recognize that something isn’t quite right? When it comes to concussions there’s a HUGE problem with going solo.
There’s a condition called talk and die syndrome. Someone bangs their head and feels completely fine. Hours later they rapidly go into decline and die. Understanding the talk and die syndrome legal implications is important if you or someone you’re travelling with gets in a bad accident.
Why is this a problem for Solo Travelers?
Imagine going hiking. You slip and hit your head on a rock. Or you go mountain biking and clip a tree root with your handlebars. Or stumble on a rainy cobblestone street.
See what I mean? These accidents can happen to anyone.
Here’s the scary part. When someone hits their head they can feel completely fine and carry on with their day.
Someone on their own watching you might not realize anything is wrong.But inside, someone could be suffering from internal bleeding from their head wound. Small blood loss can occur between their skull and brain.
Once someone hits their head, if they are travelling alone there may not be someone to notice if they are showing symptoms of a concussion. Many people will write off the fatigue and nausea as just being tired from travel.
Your friends/family back home might not realize you’re in trouble.
The ER You’re Afraid to Visit
Ok, let’s talk statistics for a minute.
Did you know that 66% of solo travellers say personal safety is their number one concern while travelling? However, most people think about how not to get pick-pocketed or scammed. Very few people consider medical emergencies.
This is a huge mistake.
Head traumas can happen during extreme sports like skiing and mountain biking. Climbing that rocky ledge and taking a wrong step could cause a concussion. Heading out for a simple stroll and slipping on unfamiliar grounds can cause your head to hit.
Even small car accidents can cause head trauma.
The Typical timeline with talk and die syndrome is this:
- Head Trauma
- Hours of conversation and laughter with friends
- Slowly watching someone deteriorate before your eyes
- Death
Traumatic brain injuries like this are typically linked to epidural hematomas. This is bleeding that occurs between the skull and the outer layer of the brain.
Symptoms start off small but get worse as blood continues to pool.
And this is what makes it so dangerous for solo travellers…
When someone is alone, who’s to know that they’re not feeling 100%?
Maybe they have a headache from looking at computer screens too long. Perhaps they aren’t feeling too great because of travel jet lag.
Safety Tips that Actually Help!
Ok, so how can you, as a solo traveller, prevent this?
Lets start with knowing the symptoms.
After your head takes a bump or knock watch for these symptoms in the next 24-48 hours:
- Headache that won’t go away or gets worse
- Person is confused about where they are or what’s going on
- Person has a hard time keeping their eyes open
- Person starts to feel nauseous and vomits
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Person starts slurring their words
- Person starts having trouble seeing
Number 2, Visit the ER.
I can’t stress this enough. If you’re travelling solo and take a hit to the head, go see a doctor!
Find the nearest hospital or medical clinic and get checked out. Don’t wait around for symptoms to start showing.
A lot of people feel fine after bumping their head. That’s when the talk and die syndrome occurs.
After any head trauma, get it checked out.
Number 3, Create a Safety Net.
Have a friend or family member check in on you.
Yes, you are travelling solo, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have people looking out for you!
When my friend’s cousin was travelling through Europe, he would check in with his cousin every day at the same time. If he didn’t check in, they would know something was wrong!
Here are some helpful tips:
- Give your itinerary to family/friends so they know your whereabouts
- Use the find my friends app on your iPhone or similar for Android
- Check in with someone at the same time every day
- Leave your hostel with a contact in case of emergency
Create Your Own SOS
Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to be alone! The safest solo travellers create a little safety net for themselves when they travel.
They befriend the hostel staff that notice when a guest doesn’t return to the dorms at night. They make friends with other travellers and look out for each other on the road.
Tip…
When you’re out doing an activity let someone know your plan.
Inform the hotel front desk that you’re going hiking and will return by such and such time. Ask them to notify local authorities if you don’t return when expected.
Extra precaution should be taken when partaking in extreme activities:
- Skiing / Snowboarding
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- Rafting / Kayaking
- Motorbike tours
Tip Number 2: Get Travel Insurance.
Always, always get travel insurance. I cannot stress this enough!
Your policy should include Emergency Medical Evacuation.
Some injuries you sustain while travelling may require you to be helicopter lifted to the nearest city with a hospital. Emergency medical evacuations can cost you upwards of $50,000.
Travel Insurance will cover this.
Know When To Seek Help ASAP
With head traumas, time is of the essence.
If you knock your head and feel funny, get help. Don’t tell yourself everything is fine. Don’t ignore that headache.
Doctors can perform tests to see if there is any internal bleeding. The quicker they diagnose, the better treatment can happen.
Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Help.
Being paranoid about head traumas is NOT the same as being prepared.
The results of not seeking medical attention can be deadly.
Conclusion
Solo travel is an amazing experience and should be done safely!
Head Traumas are very serious and can happen to anyone at any time. Knowing about talk and die syndrome can help you identify if a head bump or trauma needs medical attention.
Key Points:
- Head Traumas should always be checked out by medical professionals
- Just because you feel fine, doesn’t mean you aren’t injured
- Have a safety plan with friends and family at home
- Don’t ignore a headache that intensifies after head trauma
- If you feel funny after an injury, get help immediately
You should never let fear prevent you from seeing the world solo. Travel with the right knowledge and you’ll be prepared for anything!
Because the best adventures are the ones where you make it back to tell the story.