2nd TRAINING- Driving Checklist

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Pending 

You MUST have your cell phone whenever you take Don out!

Back Pack-

  • Extra Water Bottle
  • 2-3 Food tubes- one for burping
  • Clips and wash cloth for burping
  • Food/snack and meds for time away
  • Front pocket- Wallet
  • Glasses/Sunglasses
  • Spell Board

Suction Machine in carrying bag-

Water in bottle
Empty bottle
4 Red Catheters
Baggies of at least 4 Gloves

Sunglasses?
Hat? Arm Warmers? Jacket? Blanket?

Is ERICA needed?

In Van

  • Emergency clothing
  • Extra feeding tube, aspirin, etc.
  • Ambu Bag
  • Extra White Circuit
  • ERICA L brace to mount on the wheelchair 

LOADING IN VAN-

  • Turn on AC in summer and heat (only after warm up) in winter.
  • Open ramp without “kneeling” onto curb. Open ramp with “kneeling” onto flat.
  • Remove head band- set tilt to 6, feet to 80 to enter Van.
  • Tuck in left hand and elbow; don’t want to loose any fingers or skin. 
  • Gently push shoulder so head doesn’t hit top of door while going through door. 
  • Once inside raise head and tilt chair back a little to hold head. Quickly replace head band snug.
  • Center WC in between seats and back up WC all the way back until back wheels hit back seat. 
  • Set tilt to 14 and raise feet up as far as possible. 
  • Don’t drive over Little Bertha car cord. Plug Little Bertha and Suction Machine in to car cords. Check power cords in socket to see if green light is on. 
  • Always suction before driving
  • Bib sticking out to keep brace clean?
  • Use big seat belt for highway driving. 
  • CHECK that blue tube on Bertha doesn't pop off.

DRIVING-

  • Watch carefully for road bumps and go slowly to save Don’s neck.
  • Take turns VERY slowly (about 5 miles per hour).
  • Use flashers to go slowly over railroad tracks. Turn them on early, BEFORE braking for tracks
  • Listen to the preset radio stations.
    Learn how to operate windshield wipers and headlights. 
  • Check on Don constantly. Minimum every 5 minutes.
  • Open windows? Turn on heat? AC?
  • If warm, open windows rather than AC.
  • Check three vents above radio to see if open. 
  • Point to lower heat/AC dials one at a time to see which needs adjusting.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES-

  • If vent alarm goes off- Put on Flashers, pull over and STOP Van. Check Don.
  • If Don is not breathing well-
  • Check trach at neck and follow circuit back to vent. Any breaks or leaks?
  • If Don is still having trouble breathing-
  • Get Ambu Bag.
  • While breathing for Don, call for help.
  • If breathing okay- 
  • Check alarm status.
  • Low or Lost Power? Check cord to car battery (green light on?)
  • Use Lithium Battery if needed.
  • Low Pressure? Check for leak or crimp in circuit. 

LEAVING VAN-

  • Close ALL windows- do not forget back vent windows. Always lock van.
  • Keep van running and AC/heat on until Don is out of van. 
  • Unplug BOTH power cords and tuck it on front seat arm rest. 
  • Set tilt to 6, feet to 80.
  • Remove head band. 
  • While exiting van, hold shoulder to prevent Don’s head from falling forward. 
  • Take Ambu Bag and Suction Machine everywhere. 
  • Park on left (west) side of driveway
  • If gas tank only ¼ or less let us know!

REPLENISH ANY USED SUPPLIES-     Clean and Replace Suction Machine

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