World

Top Tips for International Trips and Female Travelers…from a Former Special Ops Guy

Clinton Emerson on SOFREP Gives Tips for Women Traveling and Visiting Foreign Countries Safely in General
Customers wait to check luggage at O’Hare International Airport. Emerson offers tips for labeling your baggage as well. Read his full post to find out more. (Photo: AP//Nam Y. Huh)

Who better to get personal safety advice from than a well-decorated special operations member who now runs a company that helps the government and other agencies whose employees are required to travel internationally? Clinton Emerson, CEO of Escape the Wolf, gives the readers of the SOFREP (the Special Operations Forces Report) tips for both international travel in general, as well as more specific advice for females.

Emerson himself served for nearly 20 years in combat and other Department of Defense operations. His tips on SOFREP are broken into two posts.

First, he writes that as more women have become involved in elite operations over the years, “lessons [have been] learned [...] that have allowed them to get in and out of hostile environments undetected.” Culling through these lessons, Emerson provides those that are important for personal safety and offers them as what you “should and shouldn’t do to blend in, decrease exposure, and ultimately elude any potential threats.”

Here are just a few compiled from his categories of personal security and preventing sexual assault:

  • Observe local customs as much as possible and try to learn unintended implications of your personal behavior, mannerisms and dress.  For example, smiling, making eye contact or touching males can be misunderstood in some cultures.
  • Carry your handbag on the side away from the street to avoid grab-and-run attacks.
  • Stay at reputable hotels and avoid rooms by elevators, hallways or terraces.
  • Choose a room above the ground floor but not higher than the seventh floor for fire safety purposes.
  • You are at your most vulnerable arriving and departing from your hotel.  Don’t linger in the public space around the hotel, the parking lot or indoor garage.
  • Use a door alarm, carry a whistle and keep a self-defense weapon near your bed (a fishing weight wrapped in a handkerchief makes a great weapon).
  • Wear clothing that is hard to remove. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and make-up.
  • Consider wearing a wedding or similar ring, even if you aren’t married.
  • Remember, assaults can also be at the hands of acquaintances, so choose fixers, interpreters and drivers carefully.
  • Avoid wearing anything that could be grabbed – jewelry, ponytail, etc.

Check out Emerson’s full post on personal safety while traveling specifically directed toward women here.

With regard to international travel in general — although Emerson writes even L.A. can be dangerous — as hostile protests become more prevalent, he first suggests waiting to travel until “economic crutches are removed and solutions implemented.” If travel can’t be avoided, here are some of Emerson’s tips, including those for situations of civil unrest or meeting a checkpoint:

  • Invest in good local interpreters recommended by the embassy, local being the most important word.
  • Established, personal relationships go a long way. Where possible, have someone on the ground maintain ongoing working relationships in underdeveloped parts of the world.
  • Have an exit strategy at all times. Plan this in advance, before heading into any situation, especially one where there is civil unrest.
  • Run… BEFORE all else fails. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, identify potential risks and set invisible thresholds. Take action if threats cross the thresholds you have set in advance.
  • If possible, avoid the checkpoint. It might be an ambush. If legitimate, third-world countries have weak economies and poor training – a potentially deadly combination when you’re stopped and at the mercy of someone (sometimes a kid) with an AK-47.
  • A line of traffic and soldiers/police vehicles often signals a checkpoint ahead.
  • When approaching a checkpoint, overwhelm the security personnel with kindness, yet always be cautious!
  • Show the palm of your hand, have your ID ready, but don’t immediately give up who you are or your occupation.
  • Start with broad explanations when asked where you are from – Example: America.
  • Don’t roll windows all the way down. Keep all doors locked. If asked to roll windows down more, roll them down, but never all the way.  Or, say the window is broken, or that you are not able to roll them down.

Read all of Emerson’s tips in his full post about foreign travel here.

Comments (24)

  • Gutentag
    Posted on August 26, 2012 at 9:42pm

    Great article with alot of intense knowledge !!!
    Thank you for educating the everyday person !!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Gutentag
    Posted on August 26, 2012 at 9:29pm

    For men: Do not carry your wallet in your back pocket!!! Place in front pocket and hopefully they are deep ones
    Fannie Pack around your waist is a click away for a thief!!!

    Report Post »  
  • 95bravo10
    Posted on August 2, 2012 at 4:55am

    Safe Country’s?
    I know of none. Been to a bunch workin for the Gov. But never saw one that was safe. Seen folks robbed raped and worse everywhere at one time or another. The thing I found to be a contributing factor every time was the lack of knowledge of what was happening around them. When I’am out of the house my head is on a swivel. I watch EVERY THING. If you are near me I know if you have your hands in your pockets, if your clothing would conceal a firearm, if you look dope sick and desperate for money. I could go on about what shaky people look like and to watch for. Got in a bad spot in Mexico as a kid. Ain’t ever happened again. Be aware of what is happening around you! Oh yeah I all most forgot, Don’t get trashed and think everything is good to go ANYWHERE! You will get a knife in your back in Mexico just the same as you will in Nebraska if you are hammered and ain’t on your A game. Dirt bags look for **** faced tourists.

    Report Post »  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on August 2, 2012 at 2:16am

    Simply avoid 3rd world countries and “multicultural” parts of the West. Problem solved.

    Report Post »  
  • American_Woman
    Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:44am

    Thank you for the tips. I’m posting my own travel tip below…

    Two days ago (at the Denver Airport), I opted out of the x-ray scanner and was subjected to a pat-down. The female agent used enough force that she injured me in the process. Since my flight was cancelled, I had to go back through the same TSA screening the next day (yesterday). Despite being a seasoned world traveler, I was afraid to go back through the screening process again. A different TSA agent asked me why I was so upset, and I told her my experience of the previous day’s assault. She offered her assistance if I needed it, so I asked her to escort me through the process and be my witness, so I wouldn’t be harmed again. She did and I’m grateful that there are some good TSA agents.

    My advice is to avoid lines with scanners and choose the line where only an old-style metal detector is in operation.

    I wonder if it’s a wise idea to complain to the TSA?
    Can charges be brought against agents who injure travelers?
    Can I get a copy of any video evidence?

    Report Post » American_Woman  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:09pm

    Get to or contact a US Embassy/Consulate ASAP!!! (or friendly Embassy e.g. Canada, UK, Australian, New Zeeland, Swiss, French, Japanese, South Korea or any nation we have close diplomatic & treaty ties w/).

    I had troops which this happend to & it was eventually resolved diplomatically.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:37pm

      Sorry; this was meant to respond to KICKAGRANDMA

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • Todd P
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:07pm

    These would be useful tips to anyone planning a trip to some 3rd world country – like Chicago, Detroit, New York, or L.A.

    Report Post »  
    • Mr. H.
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:42pm

      That’s a 10x shot!

      Report Post »  
    • bigben357mag
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:55pm

      You can say that again. I just picked up a load yesterday in the war-zone, I mean Detroit. It’s hard to tell the differance.

      Report Post »  
  • vic138
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:39pm

    These tips are good for anyone. I’ve been to about 47 countries (mostly 3rd world in africa and asia) and have made a few of these mistakes as well, and I’m a guy. Running has helped on several occasions, mugged several times but only had to defend myself one time (in Mali).

    Report Post » vic138  
  • FREEDOMoverFEAR
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:03pm

    I love when stupid people try and debate…best line most often used by these idiots….have you seen that movie? Lol yup saw that movie and now I know time travel is possible after all I saw it on tv. Idiot.

    Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • valleyfever
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:58pm

    When my daughter was studying in Mexico I told her to always carry a long hat pin to discourage gropers.

    Report Post »  
    • Halloween
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:51pm

      Why would your daughter want to study in a 3rd world country like Mexico?

      Report Post » Halloween  
  • Truthnotpolitics
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:20pm

    Some good stuff, as one who has been in 3rd World Countires, let me add others. Do not indulge in too many adult beverages, an inebriated person is an easy target. Never walk around a blind corner widen your trajectory and get in the habit of doing this at all times. Look around and be aware of who is observing you. If you think you are being targeted and you are eating at a restaurant, pay your bill before you have finished pretend to go to a restroom, at the last second slip out an exit. When possible sit with your back against a wall. Get in the habit of observing your surroundings, know where exit points are. Above all, know that your rights are non existent in some countries.

    Report Post »  
  • OperationNorthwoods
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Don’t forget to bring plenty of money for bribes to the local cops.

    Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:58pm

      Bad idea; carry only what you need –just enough to pay off local thugs – everything else goes in the hotel safe or local bank safe deposit box IOT provide you an opportunity to escape or get an SOS off.

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:34am

    Better yet, stay out of third world toilets!!!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • HuskerDave
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:34am

    <– also a former "special ops" guy. I've got another tip for you.

    Don't be the "ugly American" who is overly boisterous and loud when in a public place overseas. If you're going to go all face-paint for the olympics you're fine, but take off the body paint and "USA" shirt before you head for the airport. I've seen it 100 times, the loud American drawing too much attention in a foreign airport or other public place.

    Report Post »  
    • mtcountrygrl
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:36am

      How about only travel to safe countries and stay away from lawless 3rd world countries. I personally will only travel to countries where I can speak the language and know they have a reputation for being relatively safe (thus I do not travel to Chicago). LOL had to go there.

      Report Post »  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:22pm

      @MT
      safe countries?? like Italy, Greece before it hit the fan, Spain, France…those save countries… where American college age girls were routinely raped and assaulted, felt up, groped, and man handled by sometimes an entire group of nice friendly safe European men….simply because of what the girls had on or said or smiled at…
      the horror stories are from everywhere…mainly because Americans assume that the LAW will protect them like it does here but in those countries I listed…the Law is ran by PIGS and the attitude of “she said no but her clothes said yes” is perfectly legitimate…some local guy buys you a drink and then him and his friends rape you and the court says…well..she took the drink so she obviously wanted to sleep with the guy….
      watch the movie “Taken” with Liam Nelson…Americans are OBLIVIOUS to the human trafficing that goes on in the world…even and especially in the “SAFE” countries of Europe or some all inclusive Caribbean or Mexican resort community….
      my children or wife will never leave this country without me until they are out from under my roof, even in college..
      then again…my kids by then will be black belts and marksmen qualified and hopefully in the Naval Academy to be a pilot or SEAL

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • mtcountrygrl
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:46pm

      I was thinking like Canada (: LOL

      Report Post »  
    • happygranny
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:44pm

      I have a question – several months ago there was talk about Americans not being able to come back to the US if they are on the no travel list. I am active on the web, mostly under my own name and since I am leaving in November for a trip to Israel I have a concern about this issue.

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:25am

    Question for the special ops guy: What do we do if passports are confiscated by gov’t. officials based on lies (ex. we owe $50,000 in back taxes- which the obamamama administration said it was going to use)?

    Second question: Has anyone had passports confiscated or this lie told about you while traveling internationally since the current liar-in-chief issued this “warning”?

    Report Post »  

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