88_International Travel Preparedness: Shelter in Place, Embassies & Travel Emergencies Overseas

Every day, thousands of Americans board international flights thinking about beaches, business meetings, and bucket lists.

Very few think about embassy locations.
Very few think about hospital systems.
And almost no one thinks about what they would do if they were told to shelter in place in a country that isn’t theirs.

Recently, tourists in parts of Mexico were advised to remain inside their hotels due to instability. Flights were delayed. Movement was restricted. Information was fragmented.

But this type of disruption isn’t isolated to one country.

Across the world — including regions like the Middle East and Iran — travelers have faced sudden airspace closures, government advisories, unrest, and rapidly changing conditions that left tourists relying on embassies and emergency planning instead of itineraries.

That’s not a political conversation.
That’s a preparedness conversation.

In this roundtable discussion, Jason Perez, Pappy, and Anthony Escoto from Disaster Operations Group break down what smart travelers do differently before they leave the country.

We discuss:
• How the U.S. STEP Program actually works
• What embassies can — and cannot — do for you
• Documentation redundancy and passport planning
• Financial and logistical buffers for travel disruptions
• A real experience calling an ambulance overseas
• Travel medical and evacuation considerations
• Shelter-in-place vs evacuation decision-making
• Traveling internationally as a father responsible for a family
• Leadership and psychological preparedness abroad 

If you travel internationally — for business, vacation, or mission work — this episode will change how you think about preparedness.

For Instinct Ready services or Capable Community courses:
📩 disasterclass@instinctready.com

o learn more about operational preparedness:
🌐 disasteroperationsgroup.com

Prepared travel isn’t about expecting disaster. It’s about respecting uncertainty. ⸻

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Chapters
00:00:07 – Why Travel Preparedness Matters
00:00:20 – Mexico Shelter-in-Place Context
00:03:45 – How the STEP Program Works
00:05:29 – Evacuation Considerations
00:08:32 – Documentation & Passports
00:12:17 – Traveling Internationally with Family
00:14:09 – Communication Planning While Abroad
00:16:45 – Financial & Money Considerations Overseas
00:18:33 – Travel Insurance & Coverage Discussion
00:24:53 – Calling an Ambulance Overseas (Real Experience)
00:37:09 – Disaster Operations Group Perspective