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

[Desert_Captain]

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

[2g_s]

Another use for a 'Go Bag'....

As full-timers we naturally carried everything with us. We packed a backpack and kept it by the front door - easy to grab. It included our computer backups, financial info, a copy of our trust info, power of attorney, Do Not Resuscitate form, medical info, important ph. #'s, about $200 in cash, checkbook, etc.

Do you realize how fast a RV can go up in flames? There's no time to gather things. A friend had a fireproof safe and after their fire they opened it and everything was ashes. At night we'd move the bag to the bedroom in case we had to make a quick exit through the window. When we had to leave the RV at a service facility for an oil change, etc., we took the bag with us. When leaving for the exploring or shopping we took the bag to the car.

When you're in an emergency situation having all the information you may need right there saves some frantic phone calls, etc. Many full-timers do this.

As to needed short-term prescriptions... your pharmacy/doctor can authorize an emergency refill.

[CavemanCharlie]

To the OP,,,Good Advice.

I use a backpack. It has my basic stuff in it at all times and is ready to go.

As for the meds. I have a few of them in the backpack in the original bottles. I change them out now and then to keep them fresh.

What you are kinda talking about is a "Bug Out Bag". The preppers always have one of them ready to go. Theirs are more complete then what I take with me. I just have the basic stuff in mine like you stated in your orignal post.

[Grit_dog]

Good reminder, but in the OP's situation, one would think new prescriptions for standing scripts could be had. Although I'd also wonder why anyone who is on meds that limit their ability to function, if not taken timely, would not have a little pill box with a couple in it.


The rest of the stuff, like a change of clothes, not seeing an issue, unless all the walmarts, targets and other 1000s of clothing stores in Phoenix are were all shuttered and out of business.

[Grit_dog]

wnjj wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:

For many most daily meds can be skipped for a few days to a week or more without serious consequences but some are nearly life changing if not life threatening almost immediately when discontinued even for brief periods.


:C

Yeah. That's why I think a small container that you can attach to your keys or put in your purse for those "absolutely must have" meds is best. They are always with you no matter what. So even if you forget your go bag, you have those meds.

What if you go out for a day with a buddy in his vehicle? Are you going to remember to grab your bag?

What do you do about the fact the prescription meds need to be in their marked containers?

OMG, is this something old folks actually worry about or even think about?
Personally, thank goodness, I'm on zero long term meds and hope to keep it that way for a long time. My lovely wife however, with her plethora of serious health issues is a walking pharmacy with several meds that if taken incorrectly will just flat kill ya, on the spot, or at least within 24hrs.
I suppose, unless you drive around looking like a tweaker, in a tweaker-mobile and have a ziploc bag full of oxys, you got nuttin to worry about.

[noteven]

And then I add my wallet, passport, and a couple other important docs and etceteras and it becomes my “fire bag” in my rig in case I have to evacuate in the middle of the night.

[Desert_Captain]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
In reading the OP, I'm wondering why the medically uninvolved partner couldn't make the 4 hour round trip to gather the needed clothing and meds?

After 24 hours without her meds my bride was incapable of driving, not her strong suit in the best of times, especially in the insane traffic of downtown Phoenix.

As far as the law enforcement community I'll deal with any unlikely intrusion/questions about the meds we are in possession of. Our prescriptions can be easily verified as we are not talking about recreational drugs.

[toedtoes]

wnjj wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:

For many most daily meds can be skipped for a few days to a week or more without serious consequences but some are nearly life changing if not life threatening almost immediately when discontinued even for brief periods.


:C

Yeah. That's why I think a small container that you can attach to your keys or put in your purse for those "absolutely must have" meds is best. They are always with you no matter what. So even if you forget your go bag, you have those meds.

What if you go out for a day with a buddy in his vehicle? Are you going to remember to grab your bag?

What do you do about the fact the prescription meds need to be in their marked containers?

When was the last time you were stopped and asked about your medications and whether they were in the proper bottle?

Even Arlo Guthrie says in this day and age, the authorities don't even look at him twice any more, let alone stop him to see what he's carrying.

[mgirardo]

Desert Captain wrote:
We drove 90 miles down to Phoenix ...

Yes, a go bag is definitely important to have. I wouldn't recommend keeping meds in any vehicle. Most meds say to store within certain temp ranges. In summer, the inside of vehicles parked outside get pretty darn hot.

Fortunately, only being 90 miles away, running back home to grab meds would be an easy fix. I would have told my wife to go back home, spend the night, get what you need and come back in the morning.

I hope you are feeling better now!

-Michael

[Dutch_12078]

In reading the OP, I'm wondering why the medically uninvolved partner couldn't make the 4 hour round trip to gather the needed clothing and meds?

[wa8yxm]

wnjj wrote:

What do you do about the fact the prescription meds need to be in their marked containers?

This is a law enforcement thing... If you have "Unmarked meds" police may give you a hassle... This goes multiple if you "Fit the profile" even though every department says "We don't profile" Trust me they do.

Now sometimes a good dispatcher will have a PDR or a pet Pharmacist who will ID the medication say as Jardiance or Eliquis or something and you get to keep it... Others even if properly ID'ed you might not get to keep. I have a "prescription bag" at home. it's a grab and go if I have to

[wnjj]

toedtoes wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:

For many most daily meds can be skipped for a few days to a week or more without serious consequences but some are nearly life changing if not life threatening almost immediately when discontinued even for brief periods.


:C

Yeah. That's why I think a small container that you can attach to your keys or put in your purse for those "absolutely must have" meds is best. They are always with you no matter what. So even if you forget your go bag, you have those meds.

What if you go out for a day with a buddy in his vehicle? Are you going to remember to grab your bag?

What do you do about the fact the prescription meds need to be in their marked containers?

[toedtoes]

Desert Captain wrote:

For many most daily meds can be skipped for a few days to a week or more without serious consequences but some are nearly life changing if not life threatening almost immediately when discontinued even for brief periods.


:C

Yeah. That's why I think a small container that you can attach to your keys or put in your purse for those "absolutely must have" meds is best. They are always with you no matter what. So even if you forget your go bag, you have those meds.

What if you go out for a day with a buddy in his vehicle? Are you going to remember to grab your bag?

[Desert_Captain]

OP here with a couple more thoughts...

Yes having one GoBag is probably a lot simpler as long gas you ALWAYS remember pack it. Perhaps storing it near the door, in the garage next to your vehicles etc. will make it work best. As far as meds it will be simple to rotate meds from the bag back into daily use a few times a year much like changing batteries in your smoke alarms with the time changes {whatever}.

For many most daily meds can be skipped for a few days to a week or more without serious consequences but some are nearly life changing if not life threatening almost immediately when discontinued even for brief periods.

The simple comfort of having a change of clothes while not critical can certainly help to turn a bad day around. Toiletries can usually be replaced but having a few of the basics on hand just gives fewer things/comforts to have to stop and seek out.

:C

[ford_truck_guy]

my "GO BAG" is ready to go at a moments notice..... Although it is full with different types of survival stuff.... Maybe I should toss in a pill or 2 >>??? If there is room !