Being Prepared for Emergencies

I'm sure that all of you reading this will have seen the news reports about Hurricane Sandy, preparing to batter the east coast of the US.

Being in the UK, this doesn't affect me directly, but it does affect many of those that I love, and it reminds me that emergencies are different for those of us with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

Emergencies, when they're not actually happening to me, seem a long way off. Improbable, even. It's that age-old mentality of 'it won't happen to me'. But it might happen to me. Or to you. Really, it might, and there are a few things that you can do to make it less frightening.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may know that I have a Big Red Folder (blog post about that here), where I keep my important medical information. At the very least, make sure that you have an 'executive summary' for each member of your family:

Name (including what you prefer to be called - I'm much more likely to respond to Jo than to Joanna)
Address
Next of kin: Name and contact details - try to include someone who doesn't live with you as well, so that they can be contacted if your borough is flattened by aliens, for example.
Current medical issues: Include ALLERGIES and all diagnosed medical conditions, even if they are usually well-controlled. Emergencies have a nasty habit of causing things to flare up.
Medications: A list of all medications that you take - regularly and 'as required' or in emergencies (this could be a repeat prescription form from your GP)
Previous medical history: Significant illnesses, procedures, surgery, injuries
Family history: Keep this brief - just the relationship and names of significant conditions

If your medical conditions are atypical, complex or rare (or all three!), I would recommend getting a letter from the doctor who knows you best, giving information about your conditions and treatment, and including their contact details. Alternatively, you could print off some general information about your condition (try the website for the national association for your condition), and include copies of any helpful medical reports or discharge summaries that you have from your own doctors.

Put all this information safely into a folder, envelope or plastic wallet, including a soft copy on USB stick if you can.

There are lots of different types of emergency, and lots of different types of chronic illness, and I'm certainly not going to pretend to be prepared for every possible incident, but there are things that can be done with relatively little inconvenience.

Things to do before any emergency:

1. Register with your local gas, electricity and water suppliers if you have anyone in your family with medical requirements or limited mobility. They may be able to warn you of any planned outages, provide you with bottled water or power from a generator, or arrange other support in an emergency.
2. If you're in the UK, I would recommend signing up for emergency 999 text messages (emergencysms.org.uk), especially if you have speech or hearing problems, or breathing problems that can make it hard to talk. On this topic (dealing with the ambulance service), you can ask your GP to request a 'flag' for your address, so that first responders have vital details (e.g. allergies to common emergency medications). I would also recommend getting yourself a MedicAlert bracelet, or similar.
3. Keep ice packs in the freezer. Not only are they useful for treating some injuries, they will help to keep the things in your freezer cool in a power cut, or you can use them to keep medications cool. You can also buy 'instant' cool packs.
4. If you rely on any electrical equipment (e.g. nebuliser, feeding pump, IV pump, motorised wheelchair), keep them charged if possible. Either have spare equipment (portable) or spare batteries for an emergency.
5. Try to keep at least half a tank of petrol in the car at all times, along with a basic repair kit, jump leads, a small first aid kit, a torch, a spade, and an up-to-date map.

 In the event of an emergency, you may find that you need to get out of the house in a hurry, or that you have to stay in the house for several days. It's always difficult to remember everything, and this is worse if you (and the people around you) are anxious or hurried.

Things to pack:
Pick a strong bag that is large enough to hold what you need, but small and light enough to carry.  Put your most important items into waterproof containers or ziploc bags, and into a lightweight cooler if necessary.

1. Important medical information folder
2. Basic first aid: Sticking plasters, triangular bandage, elasticated bandage(s), gauze, medicines to treat headaches, sore throats, allergic reactions, bites/stings; tweezers, scissors, sanitary products, nappies (if you have babies), sunscreen. If anyone in your family has sensory issues or migraines, include sunglasses or an eye mask, and ear plugs
3. Medications: I try to pack enough medication to last me for 48 hours. A week would be better, but for me, that brings up a whole other set of problems with being able to carry this kit!
4. Durable medical equipment: If you don't use the equipment regularly, make sure that you know where it's kept and that it's kept in good condition. Make sure everything is charged, and that you have spare batteries. A torch, emergency phone charger, and battery-powered radio should go in this kit too.
5. Disposable medical equipment: Pack enough to keep you going through as many doses of medication as you are taking with you, plus a few spares. Include tubing, syringes, catheters, needles, medication 'pens', dressings. Take everything you would need in the event of pulling out a tube, falling into a (dirty) swimming pool, getting a blocked tube, or getting a hole in any tubing (including wheelchair punctures).
6. Getting rid of waste: Small plastic bags, larger plastic bags (for waterproofing), ziploc bags (for keeping things clean and dry), a sharps bin (if you use sharps)
7. Cleansing wipes, tissues, alcohol wipes, anti-bacterial surface wipes, alcohol hand gel, disposable gloves (and sterile gloves if necessary, e.g. if you have a central line)
8. Monitoring: This includes blood sugar testing if you have diabetes, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturations, temperature, peak flow
9. Nutrition: Tube feed, TPN, individually-wrapped snacks, boiled sweets, small containers of UHT milk, bottled water (plus baby formula for babies, and/or food for any pets you plan to take with you), drinking straws (for sharing bottles/cups) and cutlery (a spoon at the very least)
10. ID, bank cards, cash, driving licence
11. Change of clothes for everyone. This can be as minimal as clean underwear, socks and a hat (for warmth or sun protection), depending on what you can carry, and what weather conditions you expect. Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant.

Emergencies are always stressful and frightening, but if you know that you don't have to run around the house packing, things will be easier. Keeping clean is a major problem, so having plenty of plastic bags and wipes can be useful. They don't weigh much or take up much space, but can make such a big difference in keeping clean and dry, and separating clean things from dirty.

Thinking of all those in the path of Hurricane Sandy.