Thread: Important Safety Tips!

I have written a while ago about some tips for safety when arriving and starting off at UAG. Now that a new class is coming in, just a few reminder notes-- they are important and will help in keeping yourself and your possessions safe! (and I think they are valuable no matter if you are living in Mex or not)

#1: Always be aware of your surroundings-- you never know who is watching you and keeping note of your comings and goings. People know that students live by ICB and they know you have nice computers etc. in your possession, so keep an eye out and don't give people like taxi drivers, water delivery guys, !!whoever!!! too much information.

#2: CHANGE YOUR LOCKS!!! When you finally find that awesome or so-so apt, the first thing you need to do after signing the lease is go buy and install new locks on your doors. You never know who has a key, so if you put your own locks on you will know that only you have the keys. This is so important! Go ahead and buy GOOD locks, drop the pesos on them because it is security for your items. To replace your items (like a laptop for ex.) will cost you double to triple the cost it does in the states, and your family can't mail a replacement for you (it gets screwed up in mex customs)-- so good locks will save you money and hassle in the long run.

#3: If you feel that a landlord or someone else is being fishy-- they probably are, trust your instincts! Pretty much trust only yourself as well-- its a bit paranoid, but can also save you from getting in trouble

#4: Never leave your doors to your house or to your car unlocked. Never! Also keep anything valuable out of sight in your car-- a lot of cars get broken into here and even on campus. I do not recommend ever leaving your computer in your car, you are just asking for a robbery.

#5: Don't leave your things unattended, EVER. Even at the school-- things walk -- quickly. jackets, laptops,cell phones, purses, books, diagnostic sets, stethoscopes-- if it isn't a part of your body it can be stolen from you and you will never see it again. never ever ever. if you are studying alone in the library take your stuff if you haev teh urge to pee-- if you have a TRUSTED friend or classmate with you, you can ask if they keep an eye on it-- but never just leave something unattended, it will be gone.

I have had my apartment broken into and all of my things stolen, i have had bad experiences with landlords, i have several friends whose cars have been broken into in providencia, the centro, around town, at ICB etc.. To a degree you can prevent some of these things, sometimes though you just draw a short straw. If someone wants to steal somehting badly enough, sometimes there is just nothing you can do. But I reccommend that you protect yourself as best as you can.

In this way, you can get to doing what you are here for-- to become a physician. (and in the process you learn some hefty crime prevention skills-- never a bad thing i guess)

Good luck! Don't panic! Somehow everything will work out!

If any other student wants to add to my list of safety tips, please do, this is something they should send out in the orientation packet, because until you are here, there are somethings that you don't realize unless someone who has already had some "bad mexico days" lets you know...

Originally Posted by ViaAerea

I have written a while ago about some tips for safety when arriving and starting off at UAG. Now that a new class is coming in, just a few reminder notes-- they are important and will help in keeping yourself and your possessions safe! (and I think they are valuable no matter if you are living in Mex or not)

#1: Always be aware of your surroundings-- you never know who is watching you and keeping note of your comings and goings. People know that students live by ICB and they know you have nice computers etc. in your possession, so keep an eye out and don't give people like taxi drivers, water delivery guys, !!whoever!!! too much information.

#2: CHANGE YOUR LOCKS!!! When you finally find that awesome or so-so apt, the first thing you need to do after signing the lease is go buy and install new locks on your doors. You never know who has a key, so if you put your own locks on you will know that only you have the keys. This is so important! Go ahead and buy GOOD locks, drop the pesos on them because it is security for your items. To replace your items (like a laptop for ex.) will cost you double to triple the cost it does in the states, and your family can't mail a replacement for you (it gets screwed up in mex customs)-- so good locks will save you money and hassle in the long run.

#3: If you feel that a landlord or someone else is being fishy-- they probably are, trust your instincts! Pretty much trust only yourself as well-- its a bit paranoid, but can also save you from getting in trouble

#4: Never leave your doors to your house or to your car unlocked. Never! Also keep anything valuable out of sight in your car-- a lot of cars get broken into here and even on campus. I do not recommend ever leaving your computer in your car, you are just asking for a robbery.

#5: Don't leave your things unattended, EVER. Even at the school-- things walk -- quickly. jackets, laptops,cell phones, purses, books, diagnostic sets, stethoscopes-- if it isn't a part of your body it can be stolen from you and you will never see it again. never ever ever. if you are studying alone in the library take your stuff if you haev teh urge to pee-- if you have a TRUSTED friend or classmate with you, you can ask if they keep an eye on it-- but never just leave something unattended, it will be gone.

I have had my apartment broken into and all of my things stolen, i have had bad experiences with landlords, i have several friends whose cars have been broken into in providencia, the centro, around town, at ICB etc.. To a degree you can prevent some of these things, sometimes though you just draw a short straw. If someone wants to steal somehting badly enough, sometimes there is just nothing you can do. But I reccommend that you protect yourself as best as you can.

In this way, you can get to doing what you are here for-- to become a physician. (and in the process you learn some hefty crime prevention skills-- never a bad thing i guess)

Good luck! Don't panic! Somehow everything will work out!

If any other student wants to add to my list of safety tips, please do, this is something they should send out in the orientation packet, because until you are here, there are somethings that you don't realize unless someone who has already had some "bad mexico days" lets you know...

excellent via! Vital information you have provided when it comes to housing. I usually pick up a taxi at the corner, never at my house when I travel to the US. I also ask them to drop me off 2 or 3 houses from my house when I return. Never tell your neighbors you are traveling for long time unless you really trust them. I didnt change my lock but I added some new ones ultra-secure on top of the ones I had. I also chose a room with super security locks to put all my valuable things such as TV and electronics. Furthermore, I took ALL my keys back with me to the US. I locked my car gate and covered my car; it is usually covered when I am home so I made it as a routine to deviate robbers.

I was at World Gym earlier today and had 600 pesos with no pockets to put it in. I put the money in my locker along with my other stuff, but when I emptied my locker after exercising I left the money in the locker. One of the guys in the locker room came running after me as I left the gym to hand me my money.

600 pesos is over $50. I had totally forgotten that I had this money with me. The guy could have pocketed the money and I would never have realized it. Instead, he chose to do the right thing.

I'm not going to make any generalizations based on this incident, but factor in this story when deciding whether Guadalajara is worth the safety risk. Good people exist here.

Originally Posted by UAGrocks!

I was at World Gym earlier today and had 600 pesos with no pockets to put it in. I put the money in my locker along with my other stuff, but when I emptied my locker after exercising I left the money in the locker. One of the guys in the locker room came running after me as I left the gym to hand me my money.

600 pesos is over $50. I had totally forgotten that I had this money with me. The guy could have pocketed the money and I would never have realized it. Instead, he chose to do the right thing.

I'm not going to make any generalizations based on this incident, but factor in this story when deciding whether Guadalajara is worth the safety risk. Good people exist here.

That is good to know! Good people exist everywhere, just like criminals exist everywhere...I guess.

How's World Gym? I was thinking of getting a membership when I get down there. What's the fee?
For the most part how often can most of you work out (exercise), considering the majority of your time is spent studying?

It has a nice running track, but otherwise is an over-priced, under-ventilated, slimey place that is not even open on Sundays.

Originally Posted by verojtown

That is good to know! Good people exist everywhere, just like criminals exist everywhere...I guess.

How's World Gym? I was thinking of getting a membership when I get down there. What's the fee?
For the most part how often can most of you work out (exercise), considering the majority of your time is spent studying?

Originally Posted by acgtacgtacgt

It has a nice running track, but otherwise is an over-priced, under-ventilated, slimey place that is not even open on Sundays.

It IS open on Sundays now, from 8 AM to 2 PM. Of all the gyms in the area, the World Gym on ***** Mateos is probably the worst one, but also the one that most students use. For UAG students, the membership cost is 1000 pesos to enroll and 400 pesos per month. I do agree that it's under-ventilated. There are some days when I feel like going to the gym, but the thought of walking into that locker room makes me change my mind. The strong smell is from whatever cleaning agent they use to mop the floors, not from sweat or any other bodily fluid.

But there's also another World Gym that is even closer to ICB on Naciones Unidas. It's much nicer but it costs more. Unfortunately, just because you sign up at one World Gym doesn't mean you can go to any branch. You can only go to the one where you are a member.

I posted the initial entry to this thread and I think its important once again with the new semester coming in!
Please take a look at my original post and these new safety tips! I'm a little crazy about this but its only because I have had my share of troubles here...

New addition:

-If you are driving your car here there are 3 copies of documents you need to have in the car with you all the time:
1. copy of your FM3 with the page that shows the current expiration date (so page with your pic, then the page with current permission/expiration date on it.)
2. copy of your pic page of your passport.
3. copy of the certificate that they give you when you register your car and get your sticker when crossing the border.

Only keep COPIES of these documents in your car, never the real ones because it is a horrifying mess if they get stolen and you have to get these docs replaced...

Why to keep them?
#1 Vialidad (traffic cops) may pimp you for them, if you don't have them they will want to arrest you and have your car towed. Copies are fine, you don't have to have the originals no matter what number of constitutional article of law the cop tries to tell you that you are violating (article 265.45 yadda yadda)

#2 If you get in an accident, your insurance agent will need these documents, copies are sufficient. And you better have insurance, btw-- because you will get in an accident here when you least expect it, like in a parking lot for example... If you have no insurance and the other person does, the accident will be your fault and you will have to pay cash-- even if the other driver was totally at fault, the fact that you have no insurance makes you the guilty one. So, get that insurance!!!!!

That's it, I have previously commented on other issues and some others have posted safety tips. Just a reminder again, most importantly-- CHANGE YOUR LOCKS on your apartment when you move in... and put a lock worthy of protecting your things with... Don't be scared, be smart, and if the inevitable happens at least you feel you did the best you could to prevent it.

Suerte! (anyone else think of new tips to add, please do!)

Your advice is golden. V.

Please feel free to add more.

Its time for the start of a new semester-- and I still feel I'd like to have the new class coming in take a peak at this old thread... So, please have a read from the beginning!

I also have new comments on safety and how to not get robbed...

Safety Post #3: Your beautiful medical equipment.
It doesn't matter how new or old, that medical equipment of yours is a prized possession of yours, and a target for a more unscrupulous and sticky-fingered colleague or passerby. I have said it before, if it is not a part of your body, it isn't really yours, and can be taken in an instant!

Keep an eye on your equipment at all times. If you are in a rotation in the hospital and someone asks to borrow your steth or otoscope or whatever, keep an eye on it at all times, and make sure you get it back when they are done using it. Never leave your equipment unattended, it will be gone. You might even lose your labcoat or shirt or anything if it is not on you-- be particularly wary of surgical dressing rooms in hospitals.

A tip for hospital rotations, especially in the last 2 years, is to only bring with you what you can carry on your person, i.e. in your pockets, labcoat and around your neck. If that means you get an oh-so-stylish fanny pack to cram everything into, then so be it. And that same fanny pack or small shoulder bag should be worn into the operating room, just under your surgical scrubs-- just like your stethoscope). If you are overnight in the hospital, keep your overnight stuff in your car until you need it, then bring it in, and when you wake in the morning, put it back in your car. Only leave unattended what you feel you can replace. (oh and never keep laptops in cars!! there are allegedly lithium battery detectors in use by crooks on the streets and they are happy to nab your laptop!)

OK, that's it. Watch your stuff, and please take a look at this entire thread, there are some good safety tips here that might be of use to everyone, whether in GDL or anywhere else. This is an interesting place to live and learn about life. In no way should you walk around in fear all the time, but a little prevention can save you from some big headaches later on!

Good luck!

Never leave anything at you table or on your chair when you get up and go some where. Leave it with a specific friend or take it with you, else you are giving it away to the next person who comes by.

Do not go outside and leave your stuff sitting on a wall or bench, it can easly walk away unless you are watching it.

In other words, keep what is yours with you and do not carry around more stuff then you can easly take care of. Welcome to the big city.