Emergency Planning & Preparation!

Most RVers wouldn’t think of leaving home without their jack, spare tire, and road triangles or safety flares. Even if you have AAA, you need these basics to keep you and your family safe until help arrives or just in case it doesn’t.

The same holds true for medical emergencies too. Do you have your medical history with you? Do you know what medications and what dosages you take? Do you know where the nearest hospital is and how to get help?

These are all important things to know in case of an emergency. When the emergency happens, it’s too late to prepare. So be prepared in advance with these emergency safety tips. They’ll help keep you and your family from having a nightmare instead of that wonderful RV vacation you’ve been dreaming about!

If you have a serious medical condition, buy and wear emergency medical alert ID’s. If you have preexisting medical condition that requires a medical alert bracelet or necklace, get one and wear it all the time. These simple items help to alert rescue or medical personnel of your health issues and help to ensure you prompt and proper medical treatment in the event of an emergency.

Keep a copy of your medical history and medications within easy reach! Have you ever heard of vials of life? They are used in senior living housing to keep a list of meds and medial history on the patient in the refrigerator. The EMT’s know to look there for the info they need. You can do the same thing in your RV. Attach a copy of your meds and medical history to the door of your RV refrigerator (seal it in an envelope if you wish to maintain privacy), and write “EMERGENCY INFO” on the front of the envelope so that emergency personnel will see it and have it if they ever need it. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in your purse or wallet. Simply update it annually at the beginning of your RVing season (or prior to your first trip).

Don’t forget to pack your first aid kit & fire extinguisher in your vehicle and/or RV! Make sure that if you use your first aid kit that you replenish the supplies as soon as they are used. Check for expired or out of date drugs or ointments and replace them. Check your fire extinguisher to make sure it’s properly charged and in good working order. Check your propane detector, smoke detector, and CO2 detectors, and make sure they are in good working condition with new batteries at the start of each camping season.

Know where the closest hospital or medical center is when traveling. When you check into a campground, ask for directions to the nearest medical facility if you don’t already know where it is located. Or, keep hospitals checked on your GPS device, so you know in advance where it is and how to get there.

Know who to call in case of an emergency at the campground or RV Park. When you check in, if the number isn’t published on the campground map, ask for the office number and the after hours emergency contact number and keep it somewhere within easy access. Again, the front of that RV refrigerator is a great spot. You simply use magnets to hold it there, and then remove it when you depart that RV Park or campground, and place the new one up there when you arrive at your next destination.

In the event of an emergency, ALWAYS dial 911 first! Then, dial the campground number and tell them you need help. Give them your name and campsite number. What can they do? Often campgrounds have trained personnel to help provide emergency care until EMS arrives on the scene. Many campgrounds have AEDs (Automatic External Deliberators) and trained personnel that can provide life saving measures in the event of a heart attack. Did you know that each minute that defibrillation is delayed reduces the chance of survival by 10%! In addition, they will have someone meet the emergency vehicles and escort them to your campsite, which gets you or your loved one emergency care faster! Quick response and treatment is often the difference between life and death.

In the event of a poisoning, dial 911 and then call the poison control center hotline at 800-222-1222! Poisoning can be from gases (like CO2), chemicals ingested, contact (like poison ivy) or chemical contact with the skin, injections (like bee stings, snake bites, tick bites, or spider bites). The poison control center will tell you what to do, and how to treat someone until EMS personnel arrive on the scene.

Get CPR & First Aid Training! If you haven’t had a CPR or a first aid course, take one. You can get one through your local American Red Cross Chapter. While we’re on the subject of the American Red Cross, you should also consider donating your money, time, and blood to this worthwhile community service organization. The blood you donate today may be the blood that you, a loved one, or neighbor needs to save their life after an emergency tomorrow. So take the time to get educated and involved.

Robyn Chilson & her husband Tim, Own and operate Brookdale Family Campground in Meadville, PA. She can be reached at robyn@brookdalecampground.com