Your health and camping

[Shadow Catcher]

Both Nancy and I are in good health, subject to change with out notice. If I were to want to seriously boondock far from cell coverage I would invest in a PLB personal locator beacon, or rent a sat phone. These are available for about $30 a week.

[S. Heisley]

If I die, I die....Somebody take care of my dog, please.

[Woodbutcher]

I will Sharon....

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, Steve.

[Jacquie]

Bizidie,
Sorry about your health issues, we have an app on our cell phones called Find ER. AAA also has information on hospital locations. Take along a medical kit that can help you and get a medical bracelet that gives the important medical information to EMTs and doctors. Have a list of medications, allergies, etc. It sounds like a lot, but it's just preparedness. Have a frank discussion with your doctor about what you generally enjoy doing and then ask them about what you should do, not do, and bring with you. Take care and enjoy camping!

[Wolfgang92025]

Luckily we are both in good health at this time.
I do at times play the what if game. That way i can think about what actions would have to be taken if one of use got injured and or seriously ill.
Guess one way to reduce some risk is to travel with a group and let some in the group know of your health history.

[Verna]

When I fell on the asphalt in Brown County State Park last year, total strangers from the next campsite helped me up, walked with me to my vehicle, and helped with first aid. They offered to drive me to the hospital (10 pm at night), but I knew it was going to take a long time in the ER, so I politely declined their offer. 5 1/2 long hours later, I retured with 5 stitches and a large bandage.

So, yes, things do happen while camping. I think knowing where you are is most important. If you're in a campground, there are normally locals there who can take or direct you to the nearest medical facility. The park ranger confirmed that the closest town didn't have an Immediate Care, and agreed that where I was headed was the closest with a great medical facility.

If you have a smart phone, there are apps that can tell you where the nearest medical facility is.

Make sure you know where your wallet is with your medical info, medical cards, photo ID, cash or credit cards in it. Make sure you know where your keys are so you can leave your TD (camper) locked until you return.

If you're driving yourself, use your GPS unit (if you have one), or get out your maps. I wasn't sure exactly where the ER was, but my GPS, and the blue hospital signs, took me right to the ER.

Don't forget 911, too. If you have cell service, help is just a phone call away.

[Corwin C]

Where I live, the closest hospital is 45 minutes away by ambulance if you're on the highway. You don't have to stray very far from the main road to change that into hours. Even the closest LifeFlight (helicopter) has to come from either St. George or Provo (180 miles as the crow flies). Cell phone service is often marginal if you can get a signal at all. Our EMT's, deputy sheriffs, search & rescue, firefighters, etc. are all volunteer and will do their best to help, but please recognize the limitations that can occur just by location. Thankfully, most of the locals here are used to a remote environment and will be able to help as well. I'm not stating this to scare anyone away, but people who are used to having resources 5 minutes away are often astonished at how long it takes to get to a care facility from here.

Campers should be aware of the condition of their body and watch for issues that can occur. If you have conditions which limit how your body performs, take that into account as you go. A few years ago, we came upon a gentleman who had a flat tire on his car. He was on oxygen, at 9000' elevation, and was really struggling to think clearly let alone change the tire. We changed the tire for him and helped him get back down to where he could function. These are the types of situations that get people into trouble. Here, elevation issues with heart and respiratory conditions are probably #2 behind accidents (usually ATV.) Here, the even the valley bottom is near 6000' in elevation and can cause issues for anyone who isn't accustomed to the thinner air. People with these conditions can still enjoy our area, but they need to take their time, be patient, and have capable assistance at hand should they need it.

The unexpected and accidents can be serious in the outdoors as well. I believe that everyone should have a basic understanding of first aid and be willing to take care of themselves or another to the best of your ability. A good place to start is to pick up a Boy Scout First Aid Merit Badge Pamphlet. The skills within are excellent for man and woman alike and are a good starting point. First Aid and CPR classes from your local Red Cross are another excellent resource. Learn the skills before you need them. Trying to figure it all out in a "hurry" situation can be frightening and stressful. How much better will you feel if you are able to help rather than stand by and not know how to assist when something happens.

Another thing that I do, is to not camp alone. I camp with family or friends, usually boondocking, but meeting new friends at the campground qualifies here as well. In remote areas, two separate vehicles should one have mechanical issues is a good idea also. Never go without letting someone know where you are going and when you are going to return and make sure that person is reliable enough to get help on the way if you aren't where you expected to be (don't laugh ... it happens.)

Please be careful out there and may you all have an excellent camping experience...

[droid_ca]

ok sorry to go off topic but isn't fishing at night illegal in most places

[S. Heisley]

So this will be the first year that I go camping that I'll have my health on my mind.
We camp where there's usually no one around nor any cell signal.
This year I'm thinking that we'll have to change things a bit as I really should have cell access and at least be some what close to a hospital in case anything happens.
What's everyone thoughts on this and how do you deal with health issues and camping?

Steve, I think your best bets are carefully researched National and State campgrounds, KOA's, and RV resorts.
By carefully researched, what I mean is check where you are going before you book your site. Be certain that it is near to help and has WiFi and/or phone service. It can be an extra help if you can park next to the camp host. The host usually has working phone service and knows where the closest medical facilities are. Being in a national campground can be helpful because many rangers have had CPR and may have some medical emergency preparations; plus they either have cell phones that work in the area or have 2-way radios. If you aren't certain, call the campground and ask. Also, it's a good idea to look up the campground on Google Map*, so you can see how close the hospitals are. If you are on a road that winds around a mountain top, 10 miles can be a lifetime.

If you're really concerned, you might also invest in a small bull horn, so that your companion can call for help within the campground, without having to leave your side. That's the 2 cents off the top of my head.

* Correction: I meant Google Earth, not necessarily Google Map, because you want to be able to see the terrain and the surrounding areas in the Satellite picture.

[S. Heisley]

Sharon I think so I've been told is my biggest fear is that I've never paid to go camping I have no idea what a camp host is, gates that are locked at night, shore power and things like that
I am going to be smart and let people know where I'll be and my return date though.
It seems that too many people in my life are a little bit worried about me and how I've pushed myself and never let anything get in my way since the hospital stay Like I had to adjust my company a bit and I guess they think that's a lot
I was just more curious how others cope with medical issues

Okay. Let's see what I can do to help. Forgive me if I explain things too simply or not enough.

Camp Host:
A camp host is a resident camper, usually camping somewhere near the entrance. Some are volunteers and some are paid hosts, depending on the campground. Not all campgrounds have a host; but the larger ones usually do. Responsibilities can vary by location and size of the campground. The camp host is responsible for keeping the peace (or calling for help), seeing that the camp sites are vacated when they are supposed to be and that the sites are either cleaned or left clean. They are supposed to make it their business to know who is in each campsite and that the "resident" has paid site fees for that site. If they see a campsite infraction, such as feeding the wild animals or leaving food out, they may ask you to correct it. They often sell firewood for the campers to use. They may also be responsible for the cleanliness of the bathrooms and that toilet paper is stocked or there may be a separate person, going from campground to campground, that is doing that. Camp hosts should be friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Some of my best "what to see" or "what restaurant is best for a.....?" or "Is there a laundromat nearby?" tips have come from camp hosts. If there is a forest ranger living on site, there may not be a host, as the ranger(s) will assume those responsibilities.

Locked Gates:
I've only rarely seen that and I shy away from spots like that; but, it does keep people from driving through when you're trying to sleep. I don't like the idea of not being able to get out whenever I need to, even if I never need to. Usually, if there is a locked gate, the host will give you the combination so you can come and go or will unlock it for you if you need to get out for some reason.

Shore Power:
Shore Power is simply having electricity available to plug your trailer into. If you want to recharge your trailer batteries during your trip, you may want to plan to pay a little extra for a shore power spot intermittently. If a person uses a Cpap machine to help them breathe when they sleep, this can be a God-send.

Camp Fees:
Camp fees vary by area and campground. I've paid as little as nothing ($0) and as much as $50 for one night. (I think that was the highest amount.) One of the more expensive was in a Nevada casino area and it was also one of the worst campgrounds that I ever stayed at!!! Fees can vary from state to state, too. Originally, campgrounds in the warmer areas (California, etc.) started charging a camp fee to discourage homeless from taking up residence or living free on the fly. They first charged $8 or $10; then, it went to $12 and now, many places charge $18. If a campground offers water, showers, and/or flushing toilets, they may charge $18 or more per night. You can usually look up the various campgrounds on-line or call the ranger station to get information so that you will know ahead of time what to expect. When you do that, sometimes the ranger will suggest a campground that you'll like better than the one you're considering.

When I took my trip, last summer, I made up an Excel spreadsheet with every campground that I expected to be staying at, the number of miles between each campground, costs, etc. I sent it to the important people in my life (omitting the costs) so that they would be able to follow my travels and would know approximately where I was most of the time. When WiFi was available, I sent off a note about how I was doing and wrote the memorable moments down for them. These emails also served as mini journals that I could later extrapolate on, for my travel blog. This way, nobody had to worry too much about my traveling alone. Even though I did deviate a little from my original spreadsheet, it still was very helpful. (Steve, if you want to see a copy, PM your email address to me and I'll send you a copy.)

[S. Heisley]

This website gives a pretty good explanation of camp host duties:

http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/VOL/pages/vo ... tdesc.aspx

[S. Heisley]

Thanks Sharon While reading all of that a few things were running through my mind.
Firstly I have to pay for wood when I have a chainsaw and an axe
Secondly I would be camping with people I don't know
Thirdly I'm going to assume at these campgrounds there's going to be screaming kids
And last but not least can you drink

First, it's best to leave your chainsaw at home. It has been found that nature and forests often do best when trees, etc. are allowed to lay where they have fallen. It has something to do with the cycles of nature and habitats of bugs, lizards, turtles, etc. Speaking of bugs, there is a rule that lumber should not and is usually not allowed to be brought in from another region, let alone another state or country. This is because the wood may be harboring pests or disease that may harm the environment of the area that the wood is brought to. With all that said, some people defy the rules and do what they aren't supposed to, when the authorities aren't around.

Everyone except your immediate family is someone that you didn't know at one time. Most campers are really, really nice and it's doubtful that you'll have many, if any, problems. The exception might be if someone drinks and parties too much. This sometimes happens in campgrounds that don't have hosts. I camped next to some marines that were celebrating completion of boot camp. Everybody left them alone. They drank beer and partied until 3 AM. I started making noise at 6 AM.

From what I've seen, children in camping families are usually calmer and better cared for/mannered than those from non-camping families. It's rare that there are screaming kids around; but, it could happen. However, camping etiquette states that one does not enter another's campsite without purpose (such as introducing themselves, visiting and looking at your teardrop or asking to borrow something that they forgot) or permission. Kids are not supposed to run through another family's campsite without permission...not that all of them will be well behaved; but, they usually are. In fact, the only time that I had a problem with a child was when the parents weren't watching their boy and he had used sticks to bring a baby rattler up from the creek to the road in front of our campsites. When his parents saw me talking to their child, they got defensive until they saw my concern. Then, they got rid of the snake and walked away without a word. You can get rude or irresponsible people anywhere, even up where you live. That's part of life.

Most campgrounds allow beer, wine, etc. but not public inebriation. In other words, if you disturb the peace, you could be asked to leave and nobody wants that. If a campground has a small store, they often sell beer, etc.
.
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A wise woman once said: "We're more alike than we are different."

[S. Heisley]

Sharon, I have a ton of my camping pics that I hope to be able to post, I just need to find a scanner
My sister and hubby camp where you have to pay and they want me to go camping with them this summer at some point. I guess I'm going to experience camping with no bears knocking on my door

Although it is usually less likely in a resort, bears do visit paid-for campsites. It just depends on the situation and campground. I live in what is considered a mini-metropolis; yet, bears and mountain lions sometimes wander out of the woods and come into people's backyards. Ya just never know....

[jeff0520]

If you are camping in a park,state, provincial, or national, there are usually park rangers and a ranger station. If I had concerns I wouldn't let it affect where I camped if at all possible. What I'd do is find the perfect spot, use a portable GPS device to get the exact lat/long of my campsite, then go check in at the ranger station. Give them the GPS fix on your camp, tell them about your health issues, and ask them to check in on you every now and then.
We took a friend camping with us who is a brittle diabetic, and she was having troubles with wild swings of her blood sugar that could have turned into a medical emergency if it had happened while Laurie and I were away from camp.. We let the campground manager know she was having issues, and the campground manager stopped in to say hello every morning, the maintenance crew stopped by every afternoon, and NPS Law Enforcement Rangers cruised by and checked on us at random intervals. Just let the park officials know you have a concern. If your park staff is like ours, they will be glad to stop by and check on you.