The quest for adventure

CEBU, Philippines - There’s no question about the value of adventure trips for one’s physical fitness and in exploring a place. Some say it keeps them energetic; others claim it gives them a different kind of high – a kind of a ‘spiritual’ experience. And still there are adventure travelers who say that it makes them know themselves better – the ‘risks’ make them conquer their fears and they get opened up to the ‘other’ possibilities.

In general, an adventure trip is a pursuit of fun, just like any leisure trip. The only slight difference is in the kind of fun sought. Adventure travelers often want to push their limits.

In the past years, the tourism industry has embraced the idea of adventure as one of the things that egg people to travel. There is now what is called “adventure tourism” promoting remote locations to explore and where to engage in physical activity. There are now ‘extreme’ activities – such as mountain climbing, exploring caves, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, zip-lining, paragliding, and rock climbing – offered to entice people to travel to certain places.

The website wwwnc.cdc.gov cites this fast-growing travel trend as a popular way to see new places and test one’s physical abilities. However, these activities also present risks to one’s health and safety. Learning about these risks and properly preparing for the adventure trip will help make it a fun and safe experience.

Adventure activities carry some risk of injury. And because it often involves travelling to remote locations, there are additional risks that emerge, including the lack of quick emergency response if injured, poor trauma care, and unexpected weather changes that can make safety challenging and rescue efforts more difficult. And there are the general outdoor risks, such as sunburn and bug bites.

To reduce the risks and raise the fun, the www.nc.cdc.gov website advises adventure travelers to be always safety conscious during the trip. It also cautions travelers that injury incurred during an adventure trip may not be covered by their health insurance, so it’s better to check first.  But there may be travel health insurance in place.

The website also enumerates other things to cover by those planning for an adventure trip:

• Make an appointment with a doctor, ideally at least 4–6 weeks before the trip, to get any recommended vaccinations and medical advice. Be sure to talk to the doctor about your planned adventure activities in case there are special recommendations for you.

• Properly train physically for your trip. The adventure trip can be physically demanding, so it is important to be fit before your vacation.

• Check with your regular health insurance company to see if your policy will cover any medical care you might need. If not, consider buying travel health insurance.

• If you want the adventure trip to be run by a tour operator, look for a licensed company that has good experience in conducting adventure tours and has been in business for several years. Ask for references and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

• Wear protective gear when doing adventure activities and follow safety instructions from your adventure guides.

• Don’t drink alcohol before or during outdoor activities.

• Eat and drink regularly to stay hydrated, and rest if you feel overheated.

• Avoid too much sun exposure by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade.

• Wear bug spray while outdoors to avoid bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.

• Consider bringing a first aid kit. A number of companies produce advanced medical kits and will customize kits based on specific travel needs.

While travelling in general requires forethought and proper preparation, all the more does an adventure trip. The adventure seeker courts some risk to have an exhilarating experience.  And the risk is something he needs to get covered beforehand, just in case.

First and foremost, the quest for adventure has to be tempered with the concern for safety.  (FREEMAN)