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Common sense for gap year travels

(09 Sep 2005)

Going back-packing? – Get a great deal on travel insurance

As an estimated 200,000 students prepare for a gap year it can be pretty much certain that almost 400,000 nervous parents will be worrying about what may go wrong.

In fact they have very little too be anxious about. Tom Griffiths from gapyear.com told the Telegraph that serious incidents are very rare, with parents unduly worried by the over-reporting of the few tragic cases that do occur.

However, it always pays to be cautious, which is why several courses have now been set up to help young people prepare for the common mishaps of travelling.

Objective is one such course. Run by former SAS officers it aims to improve teenagers' awareness of risks and their surroundings. In short: how to bring a little common sense along with the mosquito net and calling card.

The students are taught the principle of READE: How to Recognise a bad situation, Evaluate it and Avoid it. If people can't they should Diffuse the situation and Extract themselves quickly.

Experts also warn travellers to remember that they're not in Kent anymore. Health and safety standards may be lower abroad, officials may be corrupt, and women especially are reminded that cultural expectations of modesty may vary.


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