What should I have in my aid kit?

Basic first aid kits are available in many sporting good stores. More adventurous travelers can buy advanced medical kits and emergency equipment (one such store is adventuremedicalkits.com). When checking a kit or preparing your own, consider the following items:

Insect repellent containing DEET.

Sunscreen.

Oral rehydration solution packets.

Basic first aid items (bandages, gauze, antiseptic and scissors).

Antibacterial hand wipes.

What should I know about traveling with children?

Parents should educate themselves on specific issues that apply to their children.

Diarrhea and dehydration present a higher risk for children. Try to ensure they keep their hands clean and away from their mouths.

Also, carry oral rehydration solution packets in case of event of dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting or other circumstances.

Carry your medicine in childproof containers.

Do I need travel insurance?

If you don't have insurance,you should seriously consider getting some- particularly if you intend to do risky activities like horse riding or mountain climbing. There are a bewildering number of brokers and policies out there.

To get a recommendation, you could ask your health care provider. You could also seek advice from friends or post a question on an internet forum. If several people report having successfully made a claim from a company, that's worth taking into account. It's always sensible to read the fine print of your policy carefully and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. heck whether your policy covers:

Accidents and legal expenses resulting from them.

Dangerous sports.

Evacuation-an airlift or emergency air travel could leave you in debt for years.

High-cost room rates and doctor consultation-first-class hospitals in China charge first-class rate.

What organizations are there I should know about?

International SOS (internationalsos.com)

International SOS offers comprehensive 24-hour physician-backed medical and security assistance, for which members pay a fee. Membership provides access to safety travel advisories, pre-travel itinerary-based recommendations, and computerized medical records.

World Heath Organization (who.int)

The World Health Organization has 193 member states including China. Their website can give you up-to-date reports on disease outbreaks, specific conditions and other information.

What can my embassy help me?

Different embassies will have their own policies but it's likely they will be able to:

Visit you in the hospital

Inform friends and relatives

Help you with translation of documents and doctor consultation

Don't assume they will:

Pay hospital bills or demand payment from your insurance company

Offer legal advice

Store your belongings

What are some popular hospitals in Beijing?

Beijing International SOS
Tel: 010-6462 9112
International standard clinic; 24-hour call center; emergency evacuation service.

Beijing United Family Hospital and clinics
Tel: 010-6433 3960
International standard hospital network; travel medicine; vaccinations and check-ups.

Is there a 24-hour medical emergency number in China?

British citizens can call their consular duty officer on 139 010 1496.

American citizens can call their embassy 24 hours a day on 6532 3831.

For other nationalities please enquire at your embassy.

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