In hostile and unstable environments, your carry-on isn't luggage. It's life support. This list covers the first 48 hours of survival for operators, NGO staff, journalists, scientists, executives, and anyone entering high-risk zones.
Why the First 48 Hours Matter
When an emergency hits abroad (political unrest, natural disaster, medical crisis, or targeted crime) your ability to survive the first 48 hours often decides the outcome. Hotels may close, comms can fail, authorities might not respond. Your carry-on must keep you alive and mobile until extraction, evacuation, or resupply.
Pre-Travel Research: Survival Starts at Home
- Crime mapping: Identify types of crime and no-go zones.
- Authorities & contacts: Police, embassy, medical, local security.
- Corruption levels: Research scams, bribe culture, and border issues.
- Visa & entry: Review paperwork to avoid last-minute "fees."
- Culture & customs: Learn dos and don'ts. Blend in.
Your trip preparation starts before the airport.
Contingency Plan: Prep Before Flying
- Notification tree: Share itinerary, code words, check-in schedule.
- Emergency contacts: Embassy, safe havens, security providers.
- Insurance: Medical, political evacuation, kidnap recovery.
- Route intelligence: Alternative airports, border crossings, evacuation corridors.
- Transport fallback: Taxi apps, rentals, vetted drivers.
Health: Keep Moving, Keep Breathing
- Medications: Bandages, tourniquet, painkillers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, rehydration salts, burn/itch/joint creams.
- Location-specific meds: Anti-malaria, anti-venom, altitude tablets.
- Chronic illness drugs: Two weeks minimum.
- Food & hydration: MRPs, electrolyte packs, high-sugar emergency candy.
- Vaccinations: Verify before departure.
Technology: Tools, Not Toys
- Laptop: Rugged or with protective case.
- Phones: Primary (roaming) + secondary unlocked local SIM.
- Emergency comms: Satellite phone.
- Navigation: Portable drone for reconnaissance.
- Power: Power banks, adapters, car charger, USB cables.
- Light & nav: Flashlight, compass, smartwatch.
- Optics: Binoculars.
- Data security: Encrypted cloud backups, VPN, updated antivirus.
- Apps: Offline mapping, secure messaging.
Documents: Identity Is Survival
- Passports: Two if possible.
- Travel paperwork: Visas, tickets, hotel confirmations.
- IDs: Driver's license, permits, international license.
- Money: Local cash, backup pouch, multiple cards.
- Copies: Paper/digital separate from originals.
- Protection: Waterproof folders (nyrex, zip-lock).
Other Essentials: The "Little Things" That Save Lives
- Climate-specific clothing (spares).
- Pocket knife (checked bag), lighter, survival kit.
- Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen.
- Paper map, dictionary/phrasebook.
- Toiletries, book/Kindle.
Travel Risk Management Services
Zika Risk offers comprehensive support for high-risk travel:
Pre-Travel Intelligence:
- Destination threat assessments
- Crime pattern analysis
- Political stability briefings
- Cultural sensitivity training
Emergency Planning:
- Evacuation route mapping
- Emergency contact networks
- Crisis communication protocols
- Contingency planning (abduction, kidnapping, hostage situations)
Training Programs:
- HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
- SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape)
- Anti-kidnapping protocols
- Self-defense and tactical awareness
- Travel security fundamentals
On-Site Support:
- Executive protection during travel
- Security escorts in hostile zones
- Crisis response and extraction
- Intelligence gathering operations
Quick Start: Build Your 48-Hour Bag
- Research first: Know your risks.
- Plan next: Map contingency options.
- Pack last: Health, tech, docs, survival gear.
Bottom Line
The first 48 hours of a crisis define survival.
Preparation begins at home.
Your carry-on is your lifeline.
Get Professional Support
For travel risk consulting and training: Contact Zika Risk
Email: zika@zikarisk.com
