SEAL Survival Guide (69 page)

• Scan a color copy of your passport and attach it to an e-mail, but
don’t
send it. It will remain in your “drafts” box, which can be accessed by you at any time should you need to produce a copy. Additionally, bring a certified copy of your birth certificate. Write down your passport number and bring duplicate passport photos, in the event your passport is lost and you need to get a temporary one from the U.S. embassy. Keep this info separated from your cash, in the event you are subjected to theft.

• Make sure you know the location, address, and phone number of the American embassy or consulate, and those of at least three ally nations. Study a map of the country and make note of significant landmarks. Especially include waterways and borderlines, so that you know the direction of “friendly” nations and how to avoid entering countries that are less hospitable.

• Most embassies are open only during business hours, but you may need assistance at any time. Get twenty-four-hour emergency phone numbers for the U.S. State Department. These should be obtained before you leave, but you may find the numbers in local phone directories or at airports.

• Additionally, you can also get numbers of private companies specializing in risk management while abroad, or those that offer chartered-flight extraction services in the event of disasters.

Avoid Trouble

This is a combination of situational awareness and common sense. At the very least, if it’s trouble in America, it’s probably trouble overseas. An area of town that has “odd-smelling” smoke billowing from its cafés and red-lit windows with partially dressed women dancing behind them might be a hell of a good time for some, but it’s also very dangerous, especially to a foreigner. Remember that since you look, dress, and speak differently, you already are a noticeable target. Stay clear of the danger zones.

Additionally, it probably wouldn’t hurt to leave the ten-gallon cowboy hat and American-flag sweatshirt in the closet at home. Be the gray man when in a foreign country; enjoy yourself, but try to fly under the radar. Being a low-profile and respectful visitor will not only cause the locals to be more friendly, it will allow you to let your guard down slightly and make for a much more enjoyable vacation.

In Trouble

Every country has its own rules concerning foreigners. If you get arrested, there are
international treaties
in place, which in theory gives permission for embassy officials to communicate with and physically see any of its country’s citizens. Arresting authorities will not automatically
notify the embassy, and you must ask for this to be done. Also, keep in mind that even if many foreign countries follow this treaty, not all do. Remember that just because it’s law in America doesn’t mean it’s law where you are. And ignorance will not be an excuse.

Soon after you are detained, formally request that the U.S. embassy or the consulate stationed in that country be notified of your situation. If the foreign authorities are reluctant, you could inform them that you have a medical condition, which often makes them more cooperative in notifying embassy officials.

On the Run

For whatever reason, be it a hostile uprising, riot, or incident with a group of locals, you may find yourself on the run in a foreign land. Assume you are on your own and being hunted. You are now in what the military calls
E & E,
or
“escape and evasion.”

1. Get off the X: First, remove yourself from where you were last seen. Get to an area that is relatively safe and secure to assess your situation. If you have the preplanning map with you, now is the time to pinpoint where you are. If your fleeing was spontaneous, then at least attempt to figure out where you think you are. Your priority is to get to a safe zone, be it a friendly embassy or across the border to an ally country. Making it to an airport or train station might be the fastest way out, although these areas are heavily populated and under a high level of surveillance. A church or religious structure may offer a form of safe house if you are confident their beliefs incorporate offering assistance to a foreigner.

2. Rule of Three: Come up with the three best options and decide on a plan of action. Your possible options could include staying put until night, attempting to contact someone, or moving to another location. Remember, the most direct and shortest distance to your objective is rarely the smartest or safest. Be alert and recognize heavily trafficked areas and possible choke points. Following rivers and waterways can put you in uncomfortable terrain but can possibly provide rapid and undeterred transit to specific locations. Bear in mind, you are in your pursuers’ backyard. Those looking for you have a huge advantage. (See also “Stalker and Surveillance Detection,”
page 277
.)

3. Safe Houses: You may need to travel over several nights and hole up during the day. This will require you to take advantage of
hide sites
or safe houses, based on your environment. This could be a drainage ditch or an abandoned building. The more uncomfortable the better, because others will be less likely to explore these areas.

4. Disguise: Do whatever you can to make yourself look like a local, be it a change of clothes or dirt on the hair and face to give a darker complexion, if necessary. You would be amazed how you can disappear in plain sight. In an area rife with homeless, become homeless. Most people will want to avoid you, or even avoid noticing you.