Tip What if something happens to you traveling alone in your RV?

[Neal]

The topic probably gave you a little jolt but it's something worth sharing as my main support system is no longer here, my mother. I travel alone with a yellow lab and my main concern is how will someone know something happened to me and even more important how long will it take for someone to find out and access and care for my dog?

As this has been on my mind, today I figured I'd ask Chat GPT the question and start getting this figured out and so far it's been very informative and it is going to be a bit of work and effort to get this pinned down. I do wear an Apple Watch specifically for this such as fall detection, which doesn't always work well as my sister had a fall helping me care for my mother and hers didn't go off for two fall situations. But knowing how to use the Emergency SOS on the Apple Watch and iPhone is important and I need to review that.

First stop is go to the Health app and then your profile and review the settings and make sure this information is accessible by emergency services without having to type a passcode to view this on your phone. Next is your emergency contacts and today I added some RVers that I keep close contact with as I don't know that my sister would know how to handle the RV situation. In the notes I specified I travel alone in my RV and have a dog and put in the door access code and how to get in.

Following items are creating cards to carry, something in the RV and I used to have a pet inside tag on the window and need to get that again. Chat GPT asked me for information to help me create these items which I have yet to provide.

There are things like Apple check-in that I wasn't aware of that you can use either when traveling or based on a timer so if you don't respond then a message is sent as this is tied to the iMessage feature of the iPhone.

I'm only starting this process but wanted to share and have others either learn from this or chime in on things they do to help us be aware and prepared. For those with keyless entry keypads, consider giving your trusted RVer friends your door code. I've given mine to one, I need to share with those on my emergency contacts list.

Not the most joyous topic but my world has changed and I need to figure some things out now along this line.

I hope this helps others.

 

[Underboss]

When I full timed, I left a paper on the table that gave all contact info. It is something to think about

 

[Jim]

Would not Life Alert work in this situation?

 

[Neal]

Would not Life Alert work in this situation?

That is certainly an option if you care to wear it. My mother had one. I would not want to be wearing that necklace and device. I'm hoping Apple Watch + iPhone will handle the need.

Edit: I think life alert also depends on cellular. My iPhone can use Wi-Fi for messaging and calling.

 

[AbdRahim]

SkyMed , if you wish to pay that much.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

The topic probably gave you a little jolt but it's something worth sharing as my main support system is no longer here, my mother. I travel alone with a yellow lab and my main concern is how will someone know something happened to me and even more important how long will it take for someone to find out and access and care for my dog?

We learned from a fellow boon docker when we first began that if you are having a serious medical issue and can't call for help yourself, then you need to lean on your horn, set your 4 way flashers on and hope your nearest neighbor understands what it all means. If you understand the signal, you will attend ASAP to see what assistance you can be. If an ambulance needs to be called, get it done even if it means driving the where a cell signal exists then wait for the ambulance to arrive and let them follow you to where the patient will be. I would follow the same protocol if I were in a campground.

 

[Boat Bum]

On a boat you would carry an EPIRB - emergency position-indicating radio beacon , I would imagine something similar would work on land.

 

[Neal]

On a boat you would carry an EPIRB - emergency position-indicating radio beacon , I would imagine something similar would work on land.

Interesting. I do have a Garmin inReach Mini 2 I keep in my airplane. I used to bring it along RVing, probably will again. There is a SOS button on the side. Good idea.

 

[DennisT]

My BIL had our itinerary and we checked in with them while traveling. If we missed one they would reach out. If they couldn’t reach us then they would have started calling others (police etc) to locate us.

For the coach getting home etc we signed up for MASA when they did a presentation during the rally in the Keys. Much better pricing and did not use the scare tactics of the other service provider.

It is more difficult being a solo traveler (not counting your furry companion).

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The best way to have someone know things are ok with you is to start a check-in with a friend.

Establish a grand rising call during your morning prep. Not to tell them you're ok! Just a friendly morning ritual.

No call a check up! It's just that easy!

 

[Boat Bum]

We would always file a "float plan" with friends and family when we cruised extensively, same thing applies today with the RV.

 

[Neal]

If I had to go to the ER I would have to figure out something quick for the dog. This reminds me I need a hit and run kit for the dog with vaccination records, feeding info, etc. Waiting is not the time to be setting up the printer, etc. Although I could provide the name of my vet and they could get what they needed from them I suppose.

 

[redbaron]

Breitling watches have RF and satellite personal locator beacons. This seems like a fairly simple solution that is always with you and doesn’t rely on WiFi, cellular or other tech.