You're traveling on a short-term mission trip in Mexico when your van suddenly swerves, crashes into another vehicle and rolls over. Several members of your team are visibly injured by the collision and rollover. They need immediate assistance. Are you prepared to handle this emergency?

This is the type of situation a mission team leader hopes never to confront. However, it's one of the scenarios church leaders must consider before sending people on a mission trip for any length of time.

They need to know how to contact emergency medical services, how to perform first aid, and how to summon help in a non-English speaking country, among other things.

While it's not possible to anticipate every potential crisis on a short-term mission trip, thinking through some of the risks can help you prepare for emergency situations. Here are some guidelines for preparing a successful and safe short-term mission trip.