Take This With You When Travelling Overseas

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Jason Hanson is a former CIA officer and the New York Times bestselling author of "Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life." His company trains celebrities, high-net-worth individuals, and everyday Americans in escape and evasion, hand-to-hand self-defense, evasive driving, firearms, home defense, and more.

#travelessentials #jasonhanson #formerciajsonhanson

[tacticalorigin]

Solid video. Spain is definitely huge for pick pocketing and theft. My brother got robbed there both phone and wallet. I almost did but had a secret compartment in my jeans. This is real stuff. Thanks brother!

[leas]

As a non-American follower I have to say the most important thing was missing: common sense. I have been travelling alone around the world, also in 3rd world countries. Being aware what is happening around you, being polite AND staying sober keep you away from harms way well over 95%.

[esbam]

Things I learned from 12+1 years in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as time in Moscow Russia, Nogalas Mexico, Dubai United Arab Emerates, Phomn Penh Cambodia, and Pattaya Thailand:
1) A tac pen will get through airport security. St Louis-Doha-Ho Chi Minh City never had an issue over that.
2) Get an RFID blocking wallet.
3) NEVER leave anything of value unattended. And NEVER have things unsecured to you. I see tourists all the time taking photos with their arms and camera way out into the street, thinking how long will it be before a motorbike thief gets them. Even on you in a crowded area have your phone and money secure. Pickpockets are a thing and the one time you get lax, forget, don't care, etc is when one will be around. Lost an HTC this way at the Motor Show in District 7, HCMC this way. Normally I have my hands in my pockets securing my phone and money. This time I was trying to help a friend carry something, got lax and see you later phone. Several stories about theft I've seen or hear from a victim. Just keep everything secure and attached to you and don't get lazy. Even my backpack I have my foot through one of the arm straps when I'm eating.
4) You're not in Kansas anymore Toto. All the values that you hold other cultures see as a weakness to be exploited. In cases, like Vietnam and I would guess Asia in general, there is how they want you to see things vs how they actually are. Keep your wits about you.
5) $100 will get you just about anything yes. Traffic police here, if I'm actually stopped as I normally follow driving laws on my motorbike, will overcharge you at 600.000 VND ($25), and not the normal 200.000 VND ($9). Knowing this if they tell me 600.000 I will counter with I'm only paying 200.000. At times they try to strong arm and threaten to take my motorbike, impound it, and I hand them the key telling them to take it. Knowing things I know that I'll pay 100.000 to get it back and the cop gets 0. Obviously they decide that 200.000 is better than nothing. Most though just agree. Other areas to get people to care is around 500.000 ($21). So know the coffee money rates.
6) Know the base line and follow it. You're a foreigner to them and they see you as money. Obviously it was easier for me to blend into Russian society when I was in Moscow in 2001, but even in Vietnam I still bend in when driving. I have an old Honda Airblade, nothing luxury and normally dirty, and when driving I dress the part. Face mask for pollution, helmet, sunglasses and an OD Vietnam era BDU jacket or a Levis jacket. Look just like Vietnamese and many time people think I am. Unlike Vietnamese I couldn't care less about luxury and image so I have nothing flashy or expensive to me when out. This the most expensive thing I have visible is my Casio G-Shock on my wrist. Don't stand out and make yourself a target.

Anyway off the top of my head for the topic of foreign travel. Any additions people can make feel free. I'm always looking for new views and perspectives.

[shadowslayer]

I let my 15 y/o travel overseas with 150 other students and some random amount of chaperones. She had a slash proof locked drawstring bag, the important stuff…passport, money etc, secured under her garments, random, small self defense items. She was more prepared than ANYONE on the trip.
I’m not sure why Americans think that they can just travel to a place that they aren’t familiar with and be safe.

[LK-bzsk]

Jason is 100 percent correct about the contact list on paper. I have my two medical emergency phone numbers on a piece of cardboard wrapped in clear tape in my wallet with the meds I am allergic to as well. The classic ICE contacts. Grew up in Africa and things get messed up quick down there

[RobertJones-hmzt]

Couple of other suggestions: Safety pins can be used to replace lost buttons, zipper pulls, close drapes. Duct tape rolled or folded on itself, or rolled around a pen.

[boledle]

One of the worst places ive been for pickpocketing is Italy, especially around the tourist places. These kids will run up to you and stick like a newspaper or picture in your face and talking frantically while others start digging in your pockets. There were adults on the street watching this and not making a move. Very intimidating

[cotteeskid]

If you've ever had a phone fail, dropped and damaged or dropped in water, you know that having those primary contacts in a secondary location is of value.

[andrebaskin]

A note on US currency. If you are traveling in SE Asia make sure the $100 bills are as new as you can get them and have no blemishes (cuts, tears, writing, etc.). People will examine the bills like they were trained by the Secret Service and reject ones that are old or have the slightest flaw. This is particularly the case in countries like Cambodia where USD is used as the _de facto_ currency.

[CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

It is illegal to carry a knife in many countries outside the US

[PeterMeinl]

I am 66 and travelled in countless countries (europe, SEA, north africa, south america) and never felt the tiniest need to protect myself with any type of weapon.

[carloc]

Man: totally agree. Finally a simple tip that can really help. I always have printed out phone numbers, when traveling. Including phone numbers for the medical insurance abroad and credit card blocking.

[steveroca]

I record important phone numbers, but also credit card numbers (but, in code so only I can easily decipher them) with the bank phone numbers in case they are lost or stolen. I keep a color photocopy of my passport. It doesn't replace a passport, but is proof I have one, and easier to find in the system if the serial number is available. I carry 'throw' money in a large paper clip as you mentioned in another video, and look around me to see who I might have to deal with. Be especially vigilant if someone bumps you, asks a question, or causes a disturbance designed to divert your attention. I enjoy your videos and like that I think along the same lines.

[bgreg]

I love tactical pens, but as an international airline pilot, there are more and more countries that are banning tactical pens. So be careful traveling overseas with a tactical pen. Check the country you are going to before taking a tactical pen with you.

[kj]

You are right. The most important, not gimmicky thing you can have is a piece of paper with phone numbers. We had to call neighborhood friends when we were traveling in Russia to adopt our children. It was an emergency situation and we had 15 seconds of phone time to convey our message. Nerve racking. Luckily we had everything written out on a piece of paper. 😅😅

[jimv.]

There is one more thing that's good to have, photocopy passport, driver's license, credit cards, and make a duplicate of that paper with the phone numbers on it.

[mikebarnes]

When traveling to a lot of countries you need a pen to complete the arrival card (Airlines do NOT have these available to give out to passengers.) Thanks for the reminder not to forget this (which I hear a lot of international travelers do).

[renisesmith]

Thank you for this EXCELLENT video! That’s so true about writing down important phone numbers just in case. GREAT advice Jason!

[spicychad]

Jason, I highly recommend a "Ridge Wallet" or some other minimalist RFID blocking wallet. Some criminals are known to use RFID scanners to skim your credit card's info without even physically grabbing it! Another tip is to set up a trust/LLC so you can legally use an alternate name on your credit cards instead of using your legal name on your payment cards.

[SRFDriver]

I got through Egyptian customs some years ago with a little Baksheesh. Saved me a couple of weeks waiting for my equipment to get through. The officer led me around the kiosks by going through the offices.

I put "bribe" on my expense account. The ethics guy at my plant said it was okay since bribing is customary in that part of the world. I wish I'd saved a copy of it.

Gotta love the old US dollar...