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| The Vacationer's Guide to Staying Safe- adopt 5 tactics of CIA spies! |
As John Celik and his family set out for a
much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic, they never could have imagined
the horror that awaited them. In my spy thriller novel MISSION
OF VENGEANCE, the Celik family is brutally murdered, leaving readers to
wonder how such a senseless tragedy could occur. While the events are
fictional, they serve as a chilling reminder of the importance of family safety
while on vacation.
I offer some crucial tactics that
real-life CIA operatives use while traveling, tactics that you can easily employ
to protect yourself and your loved ones as well. Even in the most idyllic
locations, danger can lurk around the corner, and I use my spy thriller to highlight
the importance of taking precautions to ensure the safety of your family while
on vacation. Here are five major precautions you and your family can take to
stay safe on their next vacation:
First, do your research: Before you
travel, research your destination and find out about any potential safety
concerns. Look up the local laws, customs, and any potential threats such as
crime or natural disasters. Also, research the areas where you plan to stay and
visit.
In 2017, a group of 18 tourists from Hong
Kong were traveling on a bus in Egypt when they were attacked by terrorists in
the Western Desert. The terrorists opened fire on the bus, killing four people
and injuring several others. The tourists had been traveling without a guide,
and they had not done their research on the safety situation in the area. The
incident was a stark reminder of the risks of traveling to certain parts of
Egypt, particularly those near the border with Libya, which was experiencing
ongoing conflict.
On a more positive note, doing research
before traveling has helped to prevent accidents and has kept travelers safe.
For example, in 2019, a couple from the United States planned a trip to Costa
Rica. Before they left, they researched the local customs and laws, as well as
the areas where they planned to stay and visit.
They discovered that some of the roads in
the country were poorly maintained and potentially dangerous, so they rented a
four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate them safely. During their trip, they
encountered several treacherous roads but were able to navigate them safely,
thanks to their research and preparation.
By doing your research before you travel,
you can learn about potential safety concerns and take steps to mitigate them.
You can also identify areas where you should exercise caution or avoid
altogether. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your travels
are safe and enjoyable.
Secondly, be aware of your surroundings and
stay alert. Avoid poorly lit areas and be cautious of strangers who approach
you. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of any suspicious
activity.
Case in point: in 2018, two American
tourists were exploring a park in Amsterdam when they were attacked by a group
of young men. The attackers tried to steal their belongings, and they used
violence to do so.
However, the tourists were able to fight them
off and escape, thanks to their situational awareness. They had noticed the
group of young men following them and grew suspicious, so they kept a close eye
on them. When the attackers made their move, they were able to react quickly
and defend themselves.
Another example of how being aware of your
surroundings can save travelers is the case of a couple who were on vacation in
Thailand. One evening, they were walking back to their hotel after dinner when
they noticed a group of men following them. The couple immediately became
suspicious and started walking faster. When they turned a corner, they saw that
the men had split up, with some of them waiting in front of their hotel. The
couple quickly changed direction and went to a nearby restaurant, where they
called the police. The men were arrested, and the couple was able to avoid
becoming victims of a robbery or worse.
By being aware of your surroundings, you
can identify potential threats and take steps to avoid them. You can also avoid
dangerous areas or situations and keep yourself and your belongings safe. So,
always stay alert, be cautious, and trust your instincts when traveling.
Thirdly, stay in a well-lit and secure
accommodation. Choose your place of stay carefully and opt for well-lit and
secure hotels or resorts. Make sure your room has a working safe to store your
valuables, and use it to keep your passport, cash, and other important
documents secure.
In 2019, a couple was on vacation in
Cancun, Mexico, and had taken all the necessary precautions to ensure their
safety. They had researched their destination, were aware of their
surroundings, and had chosen a well-lit and secure hotel for their stay.
One evening, they returned to their hotel
room to find that it had been broken into and their valuables, including their
passports and cash, were stolen. However, they were able to retrieve their
stolen items and avoid any further harm, thanks to the safety measures taken by
their hotel.
The hotel had a comprehensive security system
in place, including security cameras and well-trained staff. The couple
reported the theft to the hotel staff, who immediately reviewed the footage
from the security cameras and identified the thief. They were able to retrieve
the stolen items and hand the thief over to the local police, who arrested him.
This example highlights the importance of
staying in well-lit and secure accommodation while on vacation. Choosing a
hotel or resort with good security measures can go a long way in ensuring your
safety and protecting your valuables.
Fourth, stay in contact with loved ones. Keep
your loved ones back home updated on your travel plans and itinerary. Make sure
they know how to contact you in case of an emergency and keep them informed of
any changes to your plans. It also provides peace of mind to those at home.
For example, imagine a traveler named Jane
who is traveling alone in a foreign country. She has been keeping in regular
contact with her family back home, letting them know where she is staying and
what her plans are for the day. One day, while exploring a new city, she falls
and injures herself, leaving her unable to get back to her hotel.
Fortunately, Jane's family back home is
able to quickly contact her and get her the help she needs. They called local
emergency services and provided them with Jane's location, allowing her to
receive prompt medical attention. Without the communication channels that Jane
had established with her loved ones, she may have been stranded for hours or
even days without help.
In addition to emergency situations,
staying in contact with loved ones can also provide a sense of security for
travelers. Regular check-ins and updates can help loved ones back home feel
more connected to the traveler and aware of their well-being. This can be
especially important for solo travelers or those visiting unfamiliar
destinations.
Lastly, be prepared for emergencies. Pack
a first-aid kit, and make sure you have emergency contact numbers saved in your
phone. Be aware of the nearest hospitals or medical centers and carry copies of
your passport and other important documents with you.
Being prepared for emergencies can mean
the difference between life and death. In the MISSION
OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, CIA spymaster Corey Pearson always prepared
for emergencies, and his quick thinking and planning ultimately saved his life.
When he was shot in a nightclub in Sosua, Dominican Republic, he had ready
backup, and one of his CIA operatives had a first-aid kit in her bag, which
proved vital in stabilizing him until he could be transported to a hospital.
A real-life example of how being prepared
for emergencies can help vacationers is the case of an American family who were
on vacation in Mexico when their young daughter fell ill with a severe fever.
The family had done their research before traveling and knew the location of
the nearest hospital.
They quickly took their daughter to the
hospital, where she was diagnosed with a serious bacterial infection. Thanks to
their preparation and quick action, the girl was able to receive the necessary
medical treatment and make a full recovery. If the family had not been aware of
the nearest hospital or had not packed a first-aid kit, the outcome could have
been much worse.
Despite the fictional tragedy that
occurred to the Celik family in MISSION
OF VENGEANCE, it is possible to take steps to ensure the safety of your
loved ones while on vacation. By doing research, being aware of your
surroundings, staying in a secure accommodation, staying in contact with loved
ones, and preparing for emergencies, you can make sure that your trip is both
safe and enjoyable.
These precautions have been proven
effective in numerous cases, such as the couple in Costa Rica who were able to navigate
treacherous roads safely, the American tourists in Amsterdam who defended
themselves from attackers, and the couple in Cancun who retrieved their stolen
items thanks to the safety measures taken by their hotel.
Remember, it is always better to be safe
than sorry. Even CIA spymaster Corey Pearson advises everyone to take necessary
precautions while traveling to ensure their safety.
Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former
Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence
Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster
series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.
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