In the next few months, my family (wife, two daughters -3&6, and I) are moving to Southeast Asia. We are living in a safe community in a reasonably safe city/country but I still want to go prepared for a good number of contingencies. My wife and daughters will all be in an international school during the day so solo travel in town will be limited at first and with me once I'm oriented, but I'll be out and about rather frequently as I get groceries and day to day supplies, as well as traveling back and forth to martial arts classes.
In the past several years, my focus has been on skills, from hard skills like martial arts (BJJ and MMA) and firearms training to soft skills like Escaping Illegal Restraints, lock picking, trauma medical skills, and managing unknown contacts/verbal judo. I've still got room to improve, but I've picked up a good bit over the past 5 years from some phenominal teachers.
That said, I do not speak the language, so that will be priority number one. I've got family in the area that does, and the school is an English only campus but for anything out in town I'll need to know language and customs pretty quickly. I've travelled in the area before and locals do not typically speak English and translators are iffy in the best of times.
I'll need to get local SIM cards for phones ASAP as well. I'm looking into information security for cell phones and internet as well (Wouldn't want to have my card info stolen over an unsecured WiFi)
I'll also need to put feet on the streets pretty quickly to get oriented. We won't have a personal vehicle of any kind for at least a few months if not longer so I'm stuck walking, taking a taxi or taking public transit which may or may not be running due to current lockdowns. A local hospital is about 15 minutes away by personal vehicle in the event of emergency from our location. Emergency services are spotty, and the communication barrier might make things worse in a larger mass event. I've also got plans to head down to the local embassy when I get some time to get to know some of the other Americans working there.
In the past, the city has gone under martial law several times and has had bombings and some political unrest. It's a predominantly Buddhist nation and religious persecution of minorities hasn't typically been a problem. They are also friendly to Americans, though scams are always present. They are also allied with the US with several Naval vessels docking at their ports.
My list of threats would go something like this;
-Criminal violence, human trafficking-(smart practices when out and about with kids and failing that, being capable of stopping them physically)
-Terrorist attack-mass cassualties from shootings or bombings
-Regime change/civil unrest
-Natural disaster
-Everyday injury with being active and having energetic kids
As far as supplies; I've gathered a few things that I think will make things easier in the event of an emergency, and that otherwise wouldn't be easily accesible in country upon arrival;
Everyday Carry Pack-should be on me if I'm out in public, it's common to see so it won't raise any eyebrows
-A small backpack, more hippy/outdoorsy less tactical
-Booboo kit- Allergy meds, childrens doses of standard meds, bandaids of various sizes
-Trauma medical supplies- Typical trauma supplies, 2x CAT, Pressure Dressing, quick clot gauze, chest seals x2, chest dart, NPA with lube, trauma shears and a pair of blue nitrile gloves(I've got training on all of this and only look at this as a way to save a loved one in the event EMS is extremely delayed and their life is at risk)
-Water and water filtration (local tap water is not safe to drink)
-Assorted lights-1x Headlamp, 1x Handheld
-Multitool
-Personal documentation, passport, cash etc.
-PPE- Gloves, facemask, eye-pro, ear-pro, extra socks
-Extra space for day to day things
At Home
-Resupply on Trauma supplies basically doubling capacity
-Resupply on water filters
-Supplies for wound management- Splints, ACE Wrap, bandages, wound closure
-Meds for various issues
-Outdoor clothing and footwear for each family member who can travel by foot(can easily be obtained in country)
-Savings to get out of the country by air at a moments notice
I'm open for advice as this is just what I've done so far. Some things that I've intentionally left out are for security reasons as I'd rather be safe than sorry and not reveal things that might cause trouble, though everything abides by local laws. I've intentionally left the name of the country out, not because it's any secret, but just as an additional measure of security. Rather safe than sorry.
It goes without saying, firearms and other defensive tools are illegal for foreigners so I've not included them in my preps, though I am familiar with most issued platforms of handgun and rifle and have likely run a class with a similar example for familiarity already. So if I come across one in a dire emergency I'll be able to make the most of it. It's crazy how much space not having a gun clears out in your bags as well.
Feel free to pick me apart on this plan, or use it as a thought exercise for your own travel preps. The goal is to see as much of the world and expose my young daughters to many different environments and cultures while being as safe as possible and being prepared for the worst.