You never plan on things happening, but be prepared in case of an emergency especially away from home.  Hours in the emergency room can easily separate you from others traveling with you.  Trust that others who are safe will help out.

Know as you sit in the emergency room with your loved one you may be hearing about the injury and accident for the first time.  The individual’s perception of the accident may be quite different then what happened especially if they don’t recall the accident they will confabulate.  Keep an open mind.

Focus on the positives and all the pleasures and new memories you’ve created before the accident.  Take pictures of injuries so when you return home physicians can see the initial injury compared to the healing process.  Comparison is always important.  Even though x-rays, MRI or CAT scans are completed, it’s best to have a visual from your own camera.

Have someone take pictures of scene of accident and damages to any property such as vehicles, motorcycles, guard rails, street signs, buildings, clothing and other gear.  Take pictures of license plates of witnesses in case you don’t get personal information.  Ask for personal information when possible.

When personal injury is involved helping the person is more important then retrieving witness statements … but that depends on who you are talking to!  Health and safety should always be a priority.

Carry a BAG, BACKPACK, OR WATER BACKPACK with the following items:

CARDS

• Driver’s license or personal identification

• Medical insurance cards

• Prescription cards

• Business cards (your own personal information to pass on to others)

LISTS

• List of medications for persons traveling together

• List of allergies & reactions for persons traveling together

• Medical history for persons traveling together

• Contact list of significant people to notify in case of emergency.  Include physicians with telephone numbers

• Address & telephone number or business card where you are staying

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Cell phone & charger & bluetooth or earpiece (if you use one)

• Camera with charger, battery, and/or memory card

• Prepaid calling card

• Small amount of cash

• Water

• Medications a weeks supply (oral and injections)

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Small hairbrush

• Gum and/or Hard Candy

• Protein or nutritional bar or snack bar

• Pen

• Index cards or small note paper

PETS

• Contact someone to look after a pet if left in your room or traveling with you

• Take your Pets favorite toy and bedding

• Make sure your Pets are cared for

• Travel with Pets immunizations records with business card of Veterinarian

• May need to contact the local kennel especially in an emergency situation

*****These items will help in an emergency.  When someone has a number of allergies it’s difficult to think of each one during a crisis.  A typewritten list in very small font is helpful for medications, medical history, and relevant contact people.

Don’t assume your cell phone has enough battery power.  Power wears down quickly when in an emergency situation.  Have a charger handy to keep your telephone charged.  It may be the only form of communication if you are within cell range of others.

A prepaid calling card makes it possible to make telephone calls from an emergency room to nearly anywhere without having to carry excess cash. This also helps in case the cell is fully charged and you don’t or connect recharge it immediately.  A small amount of cash  can provide for a quick meal.

Keep all medications handy.  Most hospitals will take your prescription medication or whomever is being treated rather than charge an exorbitant pharmacy fee.  You never know how long you will be in an emergency room or admitted to a hospital.   Don’t forget to take care of YOU!  “Be prepared” for the unknown!  

It makes things much easier if you take the above items where ever you go.  In the event of any emergency it makes things easier to handle.

I’m sure many people have found themselves in an emergency situation and you noticed some things were more helpful than others.  What other items do you find necessary in the event of an emergency?

Related articles

• Define Emergency! (psychologytoday.com)
• Negotiating Medical Bills (debtconsolidationusa.com)
• Here’s how one hospital will use the iTriage mobile health app (medcitynews.com)

**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.