Spring break is right around the corner, which means most students will be out traveling to celebrate. Although this short break is meant to be fun and exciting, it’s important to keep in mind the fact that you’ll need to keep your safety in mind (especially when visiting somewhere new).

Our friend over at Tactical Fitness Austin™, Rob Grobman, shared his top 3 self defense tips that could potentially save your life while traveling abroad.

If you plan on traveling in the US or abroad, always plan for your own safety. This involves studying the culture, learning about local self-defense laws, and always knowing your route in and out of locations during your stay.

1. Research the culture

The old cliche that “knowledge is power” is, well, right. The more you know about the culture, the more you are likely to avoid potential conflicts and being singled out as a tourist. In the United States, it is customary to say hi to a stranger you pass by on the street. However, almost everywhere else in the world it is considered odd and may bring you the wrong attention. Knowing how the locals dress is also important. It’s common to spot Americans traveling in their shorts, flip flops, and plaid shirts. Although this may be normal stateside, in most places, people don’t wear this type of attire on a regular basis (unless they are going to the beach).

2. Be aware of the law

If you failed in the above and have found yourself in a conflict, it is best to know the local laws as they pertain to self-defense. Most places are not as self-defense friendly as most states are in the United States. You must know what you can and cannot legally do to defend yourself if the situation presents itself. And if you do end up defending yourself, you should still maintain knowledge on how you would go about dealing with the local police, lawyers and judicial system.

3. Maps out the area before arriving

Planning can help minimize your risk while traveling. Opening up Google maps and the street view can help you get acquainted with where you will be staying and traveling as well give you a preview to how potentially dangerous the location is. Knowing your route to and from the airport as well as in between local destinations will prevent being in the wrong neighborhood or, in the simplest terms, being ripped off by the Taxi driver. Before you head to your destination, write down on a piece of paper all of the important names, numbers and addresses of significant locations you’ll be visiting or staying as well as people to contact in case of an emergency.

Mindset and street smarts will go a long way when you are a long way from home. Study your destination, know the customs and laws, and always have a plan for when things do go wrong. As always, don’t rely on reading this article; drill the skills and put them into practice on your next trip.

Another great (and obvious) way to keep yourself out of harm’s way when traveling is to keep up with your Krav Maga training. If you or someone you know may be traveling abroad, share this article and find a licensed Krav Maga Worldwide school near you. You can think of Krav Maga training as travelers insurance – You hope you won’t need to use it, but you’ll be happy to have it if you need it.

If you liked this blog, make sure to check out our other blogs, like “Must-know Safety tips for Traveling Families” and “Top 10 Safety tips for Women” to keep yourself and your family safe!

Sourced and edited from http://ow.ly/morv50yaTZI