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Old 07-24-2017, 01:58 PM   #1
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Be prepared for emergencies

Just a reminder that both partners should know how to do everything - hitching, holding tank dumps, outside and inside preparation and driving duties in case something happens. On a trip last week as we were preparing to leave I had some severe back spasms that put me on the ground until paramedics could transport me to the ER. We are home now after getting some really good drugs and I'm on the mend.

Checklists help deal with areas you don't normally do as I usually did everything outside and Victoria handles all the inside prep. Always good to have a backup plan.

I would also like to give a shout out to the Cascade Locks, OR KOA for their help getting the medics there and following up this morning with a phone call to see how I was doing. Nice folks.

Lessons learned:
1) Make sure everyone can and has done everything. Not just watched but actually performed every step.
2) Pull out your check lists as soon as something goes astray to make sure nothing gets left undone.
3) If you're going to fall, do it farther away from the sewer dump hose...

(My apologies for the sideways pictures)
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Old 07-24-2017, 02:15 PM   #2
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Wow, what an experience! Hope you get well soon. Work outside/inside split is what my wife and I have been doing. But you're absolutely right. Thanks for sharing this critical matter.
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Old 07-24-2017, 02:26 PM   #3
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Hope you are soon feeling better. It always amazes me the couples on the road or cruising in boats where only one member can operate safely the boat or trailer. I know it upsets some people but I find it gross negligence. I hope the day never comes where the one lacking in knowledge and skills is put in a life or death situation.
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Old 07-24-2017, 03:05 PM   #4
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That is a nice family KOA at the Locks. Glad they were able to get you help.

Thanks for posting your experience. Pat
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Old 07-25-2017, 02:31 PM   #5
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Glad you're on the mend. Your advice is spot on. A twisted ankle, a fall resulting in a strain or a break; you're absolutely right. BOTH members of the team NEED to be able to do everything. You never know when feces occur.
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Old 07-25-2017, 03:56 PM   #6
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Glad you are doing better, and I completely agree that both should be able to do all of the essentials.

May you have a speedy recovery.

Maggie
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:57 PM   #7
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Thanks for posting, it's definitely something we (wife and I) need to work on. I'm glad it was not something more serious.
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Originally Posted by AWCHIEF View Post
It always amazes me the couples on the road or cruising in boats where only one member can operate safely the boat or trailer. I know it upsets some people but I find it gross negligence. I hope the day never comes where the one lacking in knowledge and skills is put in a life or death situation.
I'm not upset, but do you feel that single travelers are also negligent? Seems to me if I get hurt with my wife around, even if not able to perform all functions, I'm still better off than someone traveling alone. At least in the perspective of crisis management.

Though certainly a good idea, I'm having a hard time coming up with a life or death scenario if the one doesn't know how to do all things.
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Old 07-25-2017, 05:02 PM   #8
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You simply might find yourself where there is no help around....to hitch up or unhitch, and drive out of wherever, seems the most important to me.

If there is a medical emergency with your partner, if they die suddenly, one may need to leave and to know how to do so.

Dumping tanks and filling them can be learned along the way....

We've had this discussion here before. Some can't imagine a scenario where basics need to be known by both, but these things happen.

Maggie
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Old 07-25-2017, 05:36 PM   #9
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Thanks for the reminder. Hope you have a rapid recovery!
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Old 07-25-2017, 08:03 PM   #10
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Oh, been there before, crawling on the ground with back spasms! Get well soon! Thanks for the reminder, we all need one once in a while.
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Old 07-25-2017, 08:54 PM   #11
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As a solo traveler, being prepared for emergencies takes on a slightly different tone. I don't have a partner who has to know how to do anything. Instead, I need to be aware of (or discover) easier ways to do things for myself even when I'm at less than full physical and/or mental capacity— though whether I'm EVER at full mental capacity is debatable!

This has been put to the test once before, when I threw out my back while breaking camp back in mid-2013. I learned EXACTLY what my pain tolerance was, and what it was wasn't half as much pain as I was in! And there were a couple of things that I chose to abandon rather than load simply because I was unable to load them with a bad back. Stuff can be replaced. My back can't.
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Old 07-26-2017, 07:21 AM   #12
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One of the things to consider is Good Sam Travel Assist. For an annual fee as low as $79 if you can't drive, they will send someone with experience to drive your tow vehicle and trailer home. I have subscribed to that service and have piece of mind that my trailer and tow vehicle will be driven home, and if necessary my wife and doggies will also be taken care of and given transport home if something happens to me rendering me unable to drive.

I did have an incident about 30 years ago where I was in Branson. I got back spasms so bad that I couldn't drive. My 14 year old son and wife with my direction got the the trailer hitched and ready to drive. I drove out of the campground and to Springfield Mo where I finally couldn't drive any more. She drove for the first time with the trailer on the Interstate home. Upon arrival a neighbor backed the trailer into the drive and unhitched. Thankfully I had a van and a very well mannered 21' Hi-Lo travel trailer.

It was a scary experience for both of us and I ended up in the hospital for 10 days with a bacterial infection that had settled into my back muscles. Could have gotten my heart but instead went to the back. Fast forward I've never had that issue again but as age and health has taken a toll on my wife, I know I can never put her in that position again.
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Old 07-26-2017, 11:38 AM   #13
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I concur.

I forwarded this thread to the wife.

The wife seems to have an allergic reaction to trailer work stuff aside from cleaning the inside.

We would split the work, I do all the things outside, she does all the things inside. My boy helps me, and my littler girl helps her.
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Old 07-26-2017, 08:14 PM   #14
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A timely reminder for us all. Glad that you're on the mend!

Tim

PS - Good to see you back on Airforums, Protagonist!
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