For sources of information about travel insurance, see the Travel Insurance Comparison website and the Independent Traveler's Guide to Travel Insurance.

The Blood Care Foundation 
Claims to get safe blood to almost any location in the world within twenty-four hours.

Useful current information on health risks in particular countries or regions can be found on the following websites:

• The U.S. Center for Disease Control
• The U.K. Department of Health
• The World Health Organization

Online first aid manuals can be found at Active First Aid and First Aid for Soldiers.

Medical Emergencies and First Aid, Aid Workers Network
This section of the aidworkers.net website contains very general information on medical emergencies and first aid.


Print Resources

Stress and Trauma Handbook, World Vision  
This link provides a review and option to purchase John Fawcett's "Stress and Trauma Handbook." The book addresses how stress impacts human functioning, the signs of burn-out, steps that can be taken to reduce the effect of stress and strain, and how this research affects the practicalities of everyday humanitarian work. Using real stories, a series of check-lists, stress indicators, and burn-out monitors, this book aims to help aid-workers track their well being.

On taking care of your own health in "aid environments," see

• The Humanitarian Companion. Ehrenreich, J. (2004). London: ITDG Publishing, Ch. 3
• The traveler's good health guide: A guide for backpackers, travelers, volunteers, and overseas workers. Lankester, T. (1999). Sheldon Press, London.
• Where there is no doctor: a village health care handbook. Werner, D., Maxwell, J., & Thurman, C. (2002). Hesperian Foundation, Berkeley, CA.

First aid manuals are readily available in book stores. Two good ones are

• The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook. The American Red Cross and Handal, K.A. (1992). Little, Brown and Co., New York.
• St. John Ambulance Guide to First Aid and CPR. The St. John Ambulance. Random House of Canada, Toronto.