Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
42
Contact the
International Association for Medical Assistance to
Travellers (IAMA T)
(
&
716/754-4883
or , in Canada, 416/652-
0137; www.iamat.org) for tips on trav el and health concerns and for
lists of local doctors. The United States
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
(
&
800/311-3435;
www.cdc.gov) pr ovides up-to-
date information on health hazar ds by region or countr y and offers
tips on food safety.
Travel Health Online
(www.tripprep.com), spon-
sored b y a consor tium of trav el medicine pr oviders, may also offer
helpful advice on trav eling abr oad. You can find listings of r eliable
medical clinics overseas at the
International Society of Travel Medi-
cine
(www.istm.org).
7
SAFETY
Violent crime is rar e in the Cayman I slands, but petty thefts, pick-
pocketing, and purse snatchings occasionally occur . There have been
incidents of sexual assault, some r eportedly involving the use of so-
called “ date rape ” dr ugs, such as R ohypnol. To av oid becoming a
victim of a crime, visitors should ex ercise common sense and take
basic precautions, including being awar e of one 's surroundings, not
walking alone after dark or in remote areas, and using reasonable cau-
tion when offer ed food or bev erages from strangers. Also, gays and
lesbians should be awar e that discrimination is an issue in the Cay-
mans (see below).
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immedi-
ately to the local police. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of
2
Safety & Security for Scuba Divers
On average, one American citizen per month drowns or suf-
fers cardiac arrest while snorkeling or scuba diving in the
Cayman Islands. These deaths may be attributed to tourists
attempting to do more than they ar e trained to do or ma y
be due to poor physical fitness or preexisting medical con-
ditions that ar e exac erbated when snorkeling or diving .
Know and r espect y our limits . I nexperienced or first-time
divers should obtain pr oper training , and ma y wish t o
undergo a physical examination before diving.
Divers Alert
Network
(
&
800/446-2671
or 919/684-4326; w ww.divers
alertnetwork.org) insures scuba divers.
