cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

A cautionary tale... Pack a "Go Bag"

Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Explorer III
We learned the hard way {so I share this with you now} to always be prepared for unexpected delays out on the road by keeping a "Go Bag" packed in each of your vehicles. We drove 90 miles down to Phoenix for what we expected to be a 4 hour round trip to the VA hospital for a followup appointment as I was dealing with an extremely painful kidney stone.

Long story short, medically things went south quickly and we ended up 3.5 days out without so much as a change of clothes and more critically my brides meds which she desperately needs.
Her car, my truck and our motorhome will all be getting thoroughly packed Go Bags to include these items and more {toiletries, snacks etc}.

We survived the nightmare with the much needed support of our daughter, a CNA, who flew in from San Diego but had we been better prepared things would have gone much smoother. It is said that when you get free advice you get what you paid for but folks trust me... Do this!

:S
20 REPLIES 20

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
I am very sorry to hear about your kidney stone. They suck! I spent a month with mine - named him George. The pain would come and go with no warning - making it difficult to plan anything - even a grocery trip.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
The issue I see is with medications. Insurance only allows you so much at a time. So if you put 3-4 days worth in each vehicle, you don't have enough to get you through the month.

And, as your medications change, you have to remember to change out all the various "go bags".

Instead, I recommend getting a small container to carry your must have meds and keep it in your pocket or purse with your keys and wallet. Then regardless of where you are or how you got there, you have the meds. Carry 4 days worth - that is most always enough time to get your insurance/doctor/pharmacy to get you a refill.

With the container, you can easily change out with new RXs, etc. And you are only putting 4 days aside rather than 4 days for 2-5 vehicles.

Also, remember that most Rx insurances don't cover stolen meds, so if your vehicle is stolen, etc, you will have to pay for those meds out of pocket and wait for reimbursement from your car or home insurance. As some meds are really expensive, it can cost you.

Most Rx insurances have a "vacation request" allowing you to refill before time once or twice a year because you won't be able to fill while you're away. When my home was burglarized, they stole ALL my medications. I was able to use my yearly allowance of vacation requests to get enough meds to put me back on track with their automatic timing of refills. You can also use this to fill your Rxs if you are stuck somewhere without your pills. You only pay your usual copay. But you are limited as to how many times you can do a vacation request per year.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Explorer II
Avoid the big cities and fire prone areas, border areas plus hurricane zones and tornado alley and death valley and you will be fine. I may have left out something. Good advice from the OP. All is good.


A few years ago I read an article in a travel or retirement magazine that the area west of Tucson and just south of the Interstate is safest place in USA from natural disasters except of course for the high desert heat and scarce water

NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Explorer II
I keep everything handy for quick trip or getaway including spare items for at least two trucks. Medicine is always top of my trip list.

bob213
Explorer
Explorer
Good advice. We always keep two "72 hour backpacks" ready at home and important papers in an easy to grab location, but your situation I am not prepared for...but I will be now. Thanks for the advice.
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality โ€“ Ayn Rand

S_Davis
Explorer
Explorer
Good tip, it is a good idea to have one at home as well Incase you have to leave in a hurry.