NOTICE: Nothing in this article should be construed to offer medical or legal advice.
If you are suffering from a medical emergency that could be life-threatening, CALL 9-1-1.
In thinking about safety on our trips, I typically state my general rule: that “nobody goes to the hospital.”
As if.
I, personally, have ended up in the hospital as a result of several trips.
I have recounted several of them in these safety columns. Stepping on a nail in a board, for one.
Another time, in an obscure set of circumstances, we ended up having to drag our boats for a quarter of a mile on the Brazos, through shallow gravel when the water was really low. Come to think of it, that isn’t actually that obscure of circumstances for the Brazos. Never mind.
Somehow, some of the gravel accumulated in my water shoes, and managed to rip my big toenail off while we were dragging the boats. I didn’t discover the situation until I tried to take my water shoes off at the end of the trip, and the toenail came with them.
This necessitated a quick trip to the nearest emergency room.
Wait. Um, WHERE is the nearest emergency room?
Considering that very often we are out of cell phone service, or our phones are out of battery, or it is late on a Saturday night (especially if you are on a trip with Bruce Bodson)(we love you, Bruce, truly we do!), knowing where the nearest emergency rooms, or hospitals are, could very well become very important information.
Maybe before you go on the trip, do a Google map search for “Hospitals Near (location of the trip),” to get a list of possible hospitals in case you need one in a hurry. Not that YOU will EVER need a hospital in a hurry, or anything. Print out a copy to take with you.
And don’t get me started on trying to figure out which nearby hospital or emergency room is covered by your health insurance.
Even if you ASK THEM: “Do you TAKE my health insurance?”
They are trained to answer: “YES, we take your health insurance.” Because technically they can TAKE your insurance CARD and make a copy of it.
That doesn’t mean: “Your insurance will COVER the charges from this visit.” That means: “They Took Your Insurance Card.” It doesn’t mean they are contracted with your insurance carrier. You need to be very specific and ask if they are CONTRACTED with your insurance carrier.
I got burned $15,000 dollars on that scam once.
As with most emergency equipment and materials, you shouldn’t really need it. Until you REALLY NEED it.
Stay safe out there!
See you On The Water!
Harmon