Travel Health and Fitness - Emergency Contacts While Traveling

Another post reminded me of this - I'm a young(er) female who generally goes for runs or out on my bike alone. I try to do group runs when possible, but travelling in rural areas can make that difficult. I wear a RoadID that has 3 emergency numbers on it, but they are all people back home. What's a good idea for making sure someone local knows where you are, and who you are, in case something would happen? My SO knows weekly where I'll be, but I usually don't give him a hour by hour of when/where I'll be.

I'm guessing that you mean when you're traveling, and you go for a run, right? My suggestion would be to print out a street map of your area and highlight the route you are going to run. Leave that in your hotel room, and make sure your SO and/or someone else you trust at home knows that you'll have that route highlighted in your room.

When you're about to leave for a run, send your SO/someone else you trust a text message telling them that you're headed out for a run. In the text message, let them know about what time you anticipate returning to your room, and that you'll send another text when you return. Then, once you return from your run, send a text, letting them know you're back.

That way, they know if you haven't sent a text by whatever time, to try to reach you. If they aren't able to reach you after trying several times because something has happened to you, they can alert the authorities, and can also advise them of your planned route. That can help with any sort of search.

You might also want to consider carrying a SPOT Personal Tracker. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101

If you need help, you press a button, and it uses your GPS location to summon help.

Great idea - i didn't think of doing the highlighted map. I suppose this means I'll have to plan ahead for my runs, whereas typically I just go out and hit the pavement, or trail. This should help build some consistency in my running as well. I'll let you know if I get any odd looks from the front desk (I wish I could say concierge but let's face it - a Hampton Inn in Beckley, WV doesn't have one of those :))

I'd rather get a few strange looks from front desk people and be safe, and have multiple people who know where I am and to look for me if I don't return, than not have anyone know I'm in trouble.

My suggestion would be to print out a street map of your area and highlight the route you are going to run. Leave that in your hotel room, and make sure your SO and/or someone else you trust at home knows that you'll have that route highlighted in your room.


Or use a web based service like MapMyRide.com and others can see your route without having to access your hotel room.

I also always carry my health insurance card when I bike or run, both at home and travelling.

Or use a web based service like MapMyRide.com and others can see your route without having to access your hotel room.

I also always carry my health insurance card when I bike or run, both at home and travelling.
That would work too. :D

Or use a web based service like MapMyRide.com and others can see your route without having to access your hotel room.


That sounds like a great idea!

When traveling, I often check with the front/concierge desk for ideas on where to run. And I'll usually stop by on my way out/back to let them know (at least wave on my way back).

I also have and carry a US Passport card with me when I run. While it can't get me across an accidental border crossing, it can assist if something happens and people need to know who I am.

Also carry my iPhone with me.

Can you print up some adhesive labels with your hotel address and phone? That's what I do.

Since I have a ton of business cards and seldom use them for anything but fishbowls in restaurants, I always put one in my shorts pocket, I write my local location (hotel - key would be in same pocket) and any other number that might be of assistance in case of emergency.

Since I have a ton of business cards and seldom use them for anything but fishbowls in restaurants, I always put one in my shorts pocket, I write my local location (hotel - key would be in same pocket) and any other number that might be of assistance in case of emergency.

Good idea. If I've got pockets I usually put my DL in one, and taped to the back of my DL is emergency contact info.

I like the idea of putting the hotel info on a card or grab a piece of the note paper they always have next to the phones & write info on that.

Cheers.