2nd TRAINING- Driving Checklist

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