Managing Special/Medical Needs

[Redd]

Has anyone with a recent model Interstate had experience with installation of a lift chair or lift platform for a disabled person? I'm NOT asking about a wheelchair lift here. We've ordered a 2017 Interstate GT. We've owned two Airstream trailers but my wife's disability makes it too difficult for her to get into both the tow vehicle and trailer multiple times a day. There are companies that install a small screw-lift seat at the sliding door. And one company has a photo of same on its website with an Interstate. But, as usual, I like to hear from my Airstream brethren about their experiences. What can you tell me?

[Lily&Me]

I've not heard of anyone doing this, but it would seem eminently workable.

The hoist of oneself up into the Interstate can be difficult, and I have seen use of a small step stool to ease that first step up.


Maggie

[Redd]

There is a company called Coach Lift that has some examples on its website at www.coachlift.com . One of the pictures in the website appears to show it mounted on an Interstate. It is sold by S&S Mobility Products in Temple, AZ...although I wouldn't be surprised if there are other vendors.
If any Airstreamers out there have had experience with this type of lift, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

http://www.coachlift.com/vehicle-lift/

[Airtandem]

also COMPANY CALLED BRAUN. Check with your Physical or Occupational Therapist for suggestions/ referral. From SD, check with the ones in Des Moines Iowa or Craig institute in Colorado.
mj

[Lily&Me]

There are a lot of vans on Sprinter chassis that are used to transport the elderly and the disabled, so I would think a modification would be pretty straightforward.

You may be the first to do this, Redd, at which point you must report back here.

Although not disabled, one of the extreme advantages of the Interstate that we noticed over the years is the ability to simply park and step to the back if the weather is bad....can run out to do electricity, if absolutely need be, but otherwise there is no hooking up or setting up needed.

Would be very amenable to a disabled passenger or even driver.


Maggie

[Redd]

Do you know how to tell the 911 operator where you are if there is a medical emergency in the middle of the night? An idea I got from another Airstreamer was to write the current address and location on a white board every evening. That way you won't have to waste precious minutes looking for an address while trying to talk with 911. It might be an issue especially if you are boondocking or staying in a Walmart parking lot because there very well may be several Walmarts in the immediate territory.
This whole concept of 911 being able to track your GPS location by your cell phone is not as widely available and usable as one might think. In other words, don't rely on that alone.
Know your precise location if you want help the fastest.

[Hittenstiehl]

Great suggestion.

Your 911 call will likely ping off the nearest tower however that's is not always so accurate.

When they say 911 what is your emergency, give your location and name then your crisis. The calls are likely recorded so they can replay that section to listen to your location if necessary.

If you dont know your location do your best to give them info that will help them find you and stay patient.

I once had to give a 911 call operator a location in a small rural town in Idaho. Although I knew no street names and we were off on a country rd they found us. I gave farm names, structure names and landmarks and the young county sheriff officer knew his area very well and was able to follow the vague directions.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Redd

Do you know how to tell the 911 operator where you are if there is a medical emergency in the middle of the night? An idea I got from another Airstreamer was to write the current address and location on a white board every evening. That way you won't have to waste precious minutes looking for an address while trying to talk with 911. It might be an issue especially if you are boondocking or staying in a Walmart parking lot because there very well may be several Walmarts in the immediate territory.
This whole concept of 911 being able to track your GPS location by your cell phone is not as widely available and usable as one might think. In other words, don't rely on that alone.
Know your precise location if you want help the fastest.

I have a "Where Am I At" app on my iPhone that tells me the precise location (latitude and longitude) that can be shared by email, text, etc, or simply read to a 911 operator.

[TayaraTravel]

A SPOT satellite tracker or other device can summon 911 just about anywhere, even out of cell phone range. GPS coordinates built in.

[toskeysam]

My wife hikes in the Smoky Mountains and uses inReach from DeLorme to track, send text messages....and God forbid call for help. We can use it on the road, or anywhere. It is very accurate and easy to use. The SOS feature goes to a central response center that then contacts responders near the source of the signal.

[Redd]

What are you doing to power a CPAP machine while boon docking? Batteries, generator? If you're able to run it off batteries then how much battery depletion are you experiencing?

[toskeysam]

My CPAP will consume about 60ahrs in an 8 hour night. It's one of the reasons we did our lithium upgrade.....480ahrs. I also have a pair of small lithium power cells that I can use when we have power outages at home. I could use them in the RV, but would have to recharge them somehow.

[Sebtown]

I have a T1N with a single 100 amp hour wet cell. I bought a 12 volt adapter, designed for my CPAP. If I don't use the humidifier I can go 2-3 nights. Using the CPAP humidifier barely gets me through one night. We have a 100 volt solar suitcase and have managed a week without driving or starting the generator. I'll probably go with an AGM Lifeline battery next and maybe eventually a single lithium. Our total daily usage just doesn't justify much more.