At 10pm when we were camped in our little tent at Wombeyan Caves the other night, Mr D said he had a sore arm and couldnt get comfortable. Asked for more details, he had pain down his left arm and his fingers were a bit tingling too. Thats a sign of a heart attack, but what to do? We had no mobile signal, and although we have a uhf radio, we didnt know what the emergency frequency might be, and driving out at night over that winding steep and rough gravel road would have been dangerous with either of us driving! One option was to wake the young campers near us and ask them to find the caretaker, but D didnt want to bother anybody. He took a couple of panadol, walked about for a while, said he felt better and slept all night while I lay awake worrying. First thing in the morning I persuaded him we should pack up and go and get some medical help, but D as usual said I'm fine now! Anyhow we came home to Canberra, he drove over the worst of the road and I did the highway. Because he was saying he was ok we didnt stop at Goulburn Hospital, and I brought him to the hospital in Canberra closest to home. The Drs said he should have come in at the first pain (which D finally admitted was actually the afternoon before and he hadnt told anybody!) and now I feel guilty.... we broke quite a lot of rules.
I phoned the Ranger today and discussed emergency procedures for the valley and she suggested we could have used the phone box... I hadnt remembered seeing it! I also asked about UHF emergency channels in Nat Parks, shes going to get back to me on that.
The purpose of this long story is to remind everybody that even the fittest person can have a heart attack. Know the symptoms, TELL SOMEBODY if you experience any of them!, and have an emergency plan, note phone boxes if theres no mobile signal.... We all think it cant happen to us, but it might.
He's doing well in the Coronary Care Unit, but there's a surreal feeling about the whole thing.
Edit:PS Wombeyan caves is a beautiful spot, not easy to tow a caravan in though. The Cave we saw was absolutely spectacular!!!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 02:18:44 PM
Happywanderer said
02:34 PM Feb 2, 2011
Sorry to hear that gerty, hope he is ok. So you are saying it defintiely was his heart?
I always wonder as get a lot of arm pain and always put it down to arthritis as had that arm broken in two places just over a year ago. Then I sit there and think What if it is my heart? How would I know the difference? I would be ringing for an ambulance every second night. And my kids would be say I am a hypochondriac.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 02:51:24 PM
JRH said
02:45 PM Feb 2, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Sorry to hear that gerty, hope he is ok. So you are saying it defintiely was his heart?
I always wonder as get a lot of arm pain and always put it down to arthritis as had that arm broken in two places just over a year ago. Then I sit there and think What if it is my heat? How would I know the difference? I would be ringing for an ambulance every second night. And my kids would be say I am a hypochondriac.
HW I assume that you have had your heart checked out by a doctor, if not I strongly suggest you do so at your earliest convenience.
Who cares what others think, you wellbeing is far more important.
Happywanderer said
02:49 PM Feb 2, 2011
I've been in and out of hospital an extra lot over the last year or so with all sorts of stomach problems. In that time have been to theatre a number of times. Wouldn't they pick up anything then with all the monitors on me.
Doctor says now that I am over all that problem get out and enjoy life while I am fighting fit. Have some fun to make up for a ****e year.
JRH said
03:37 PM Feb 2, 2011
One would hope that they would pick anything wrong up and in all honesty I believe they would have. I am not trying to be a pessimist but I would get a check up just to be on the safe side.
Our next door neighbour has MS and the doctor who did the initial examination failed to pick it up. After hearing about that I have probably become ultra careful and very mistrustful, after all doctors are human and they make mistakes.
Helena said
03:37 PM Feb 2, 2011
Sorry to hear about Mr D hope that he is O.K. now take care, Helena
jimricho said
06:50 PM Feb 2, 2011
best wishes for a speedy recovery for Mr D.
take care,
Jim
Firefly said
07:13 PM Feb 2, 2011
So sorry to hear you are unwell Mr D but so happy you finally sought medical help. Get well soon mate.
robell said
07:41 PM Feb 2, 2011
hope all goes well for mr d and he is back on the road soon.
Happywanderer said
07:58 PM Feb 2, 2011
How is Mr D tonight? Hope all going well.
_wombat_ said
08:01 PM Feb 2, 2011
Good job you did to get him to hospital asap, UHF radio contact channel is 5, but its not an emergency channel as such, UHF is only line of sight radio. I think you may get more help if you try 18 carvan channel or 40 truckies channel
Now for HW, you need to get a checkup BEFORE you go on your trip, the hospital would need to do special checks for chest and left body pain, I say left because that is normally the side it effects most people, but not always so.
An ambalance friend of mine said "if they get a call out for a chest pain, and they get to the hospital and the result is that it's not a heart attack, then that is the best result" so don't be afraid of calling an ambalance
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:07:21 PM
Gerty Dancer said
08:21 PM Feb 2, 2011
Nobody likes to look like an idiot, I hesitated to open this thread for that reason as we made so many mistakes. But hopefully others will learm from our mistakes.
Like HW, D was afraid he'd be thought a hypochondriac, as hes so fit it "couldnt possibly" be a heart attack. And it would have created quite a lot of fuss to be airlifted from that campground...lotsa people would have been woken/disturbed, he doesnt like making a fuss. Another lesson to be learned. Most important lesson is to act as soon as possible, that would have been in daylight in his case.
The ranger returned my call about a UHF emergency frequency... in National Parks that have one, its sign-posted on the road in, but Wombeyan doesnt have a manned emergency radio base, as I understand.
Thank you everybody, hes recovering very well, only minimal damage to his heart.
Firefly said
08:23 PM Feb 2, 2011
That is good news Gerty, make sure you say hi to him from us mate. x o
Peter_n_Margaret said
08:48 PM Feb 2, 2011
1. Buy a Personal Locator Beacon, and register it. It may save your life. http://www.gme.net.au/products/emergency-beacons/plbs/MT410G Pull the antenna up and turn on the switch.
2. The UHF emergency frequency is Channel 5. DON'T rely on getting help that way. Press the transmit button, WAIT 6-8 seconds, describe your name, exact lacation, problem and the help that you require. Do this irrespective of whether you hear anybody, or not. They might be able to hear you. The 6-8 second wait with the transmit button pressed before speaking is to allow people with radios on SCAN to lock onto your frequency befoer you speak.
3. Perform first aid.
4. Stay with the vehicle.
Cheers, Peter
jules47 said
09:20 PM Feb 2, 2011
I hope he is ok from now on. Heart problesm are all different- a heart attack has so many diverse symptoms -not only arm pain, my husbands first heart attack, he thought he had the flu or something. No chest pain at all - just temperature and feeling ill - left work, went to dr - blood test showed he had had heart attack.
Five years later,the second one was chest pain - no lead up, just bang - pain - straight to hospital, stent put in. Medicationa and check ups for life.
Had a few other scares - but turned out to be chest infections - on in the Grampians (Vic) - people in the campground thought I was on my own with camper trailer - second time at Carnarvon Gorge (Qld) - he was lying down beside the path to the Amphitheatre, and I was thinking - helicopters etc. - but another chest infection.
But we were lucky I suppose, we did a lot of remote travelling, and camping, usually on our own, and never had any more problems, till we were in civilisation again, when he had a fatal stroke. We were prepared when we travelled if we had emergencies, but luckily really never had to use it.
Ron and Shirley said
11:36 PM Feb 2, 2011
Agree with Peter's comments re UHF Channel 5 and how to use it.
It is the designated emergency channel and one of the duplex channels, which means in simple terms your "range of contact" is extended, if there is a repeater in the area.
In situations described by Gerty, where only UHF is available, channel 5 is the first channel to try. However if you are in deep gullies chances of getting line of sight to a repeater are slim. Other duplex Channels (1 through to 8) could also be tried.
If no contact, maybe then try Channel 10 in the hope that some 4WDers are nearby with their radios on scan, then similarly 18 and 20 for Caravanners etc.
In isolated areas I usually have my CB scanning, with channel 5 and 10 in the scan. When in camp I tend to just leave the CB on 5, even overnight.
Gerty Good to hear Mr D is recovering, and we hope he is back to 100% real soon.
Sheba said
11:36 PM Feb 2, 2011
Glad things turned out OK. Heart problems don't always show up before it's too late. I was lucky. Had a Gallbladder problem and discovered I needed By-pass surgery during the investigation of that.
Ambulance always say the best outcome to a call-out is nothing seriously wrong.
Cheers, Sheba.
Helena said
06:22 AM Feb 3, 2011
So pleased that all worked out well for Mr D. My doctor has always told me he would rather see me and find nothing than me leave it and then have a serious problem. Good luck Helena.
Gerty Dancer said
08:17 AM Feb 3, 2011
Peter, you travel with an EPIRB, did you have a satphone too?
Jules, what kind of emergency contact did you use??
At present, after this fright, I'm not comfortable about travelling without an EPIRB and maybe a satphone too (They are very expensive though).
I'm going to have to learn to be a more confident driver in the Prado! (Interestingly D doesnt like driving my tiny car, says he doesnt feel safe!!)
And Mr D is gonna have to do a first aid course too!!
Beth54 said
08:20 AM Feb 3, 2011
Good to hear D is okay now.
Women can have heart attacks differently to men. My Mum had back pain. Luckily, she was in hospital, and Doctors were right there at the time. I was right beside her and didn't even realize it was a heart attack.
Get checked out before you leave Marj. Bugger what everyone thinks.
ozi2 said
09:29 AM Feb 3, 2011
Hi Gerty, it looks like Mr D has had a very close call and we extend all our best wishes for a speedy recovery. Your post is appreciated as it highlights to all of us the dangers of ignoring the warning signs.
There are a lot of devices around that are cheaper than sat phones ( unless you hire one) and one that I have seen that has a world wide application is the Spot Satellite GPS Messanger service, $237.00 and I think it has a monthly fee when used. If you try www.gpstrackingaustralia.com.au you will find all the info on the device and its features.
Get well soon Mr D,
ozi2
_wombat_ said
09:31 AM Feb 3, 2011
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Peter, you travel with an EPIRB, did you have a satphone too?
Jules, what kind of emergency contact did you use??
At present, after this fright, I'm not comfortable about travelling without an EPIRB and maybe a satphone too (They are very expensive though).
I'm going to have to learn to be a more confident driver in the Prado! (Interestingly D doesnt like driving my tiny car, says he doesnt feel safe!!)
And Mr D is gonna have to do a first aid course too!!
Hi GD,
Good to hear Mr D is on the mend, my story is, we were on the Birdsville track and I had a heart attack, lucky for me there where thousnads of people there because the outback mailman Tom Cruise was there for the weekend, anyway finished up in Melbourne and had a triple bypass, all good now my end.
last I heard sat phones were about $2000/$3000 and $1 a min to use, have a look at HF radio they are about $3500.00 cheap insurance in my opinion.
Not sure I understand the reason for Mr D to do a first aid course, you both need to do one if you never have.
I don't know much about EPIRB's but I think you need to get a new one every 2/3 years, don't quote me on that, you will need to investige it more, I am sure somebody on here would be able to help you.
Pass our best wishes to Mr D
Zoomtopz said
01:39 PM Feb 3, 2011
Because of Our remoteness at times I believe WE Need to be ready for ANY thing that comes up , let alone Emergencies .
A bloke hit me head-on , on the Putty Rd in 75 . The accident was closer to Windsor than Singleton . They sent an Ambo
from Musswellbrook , he got help 3hrs after th accident , 1 Ambo , who had to stop to revive him once on way to Singleton .
He died 6wks later . So we don't have to be tooo remote .
Why do you think I am SO particular about Road Safety .
In fact while I was in the Navy , I got taught more about Road safety than surviving Vietnam .
Ask Pete - He joined a month before me .
Richo.
Firefly said
02:20 PM Feb 3, 2011
My brother said his heart attack symptoms were indigestion that wouldn't go away. He had a lie down and still complained when he got up sometime later. His mates put him in the car and took him to emergency. He now has a stent in and is well thank goodness.
Symptoms really do vary don't they.
Gerty Dancer said
04:34 PM Feb 3, 2011
_wombat_ wrote
Not sure I understand the reason for Mr D to do a first aid course, you both need to do one if you never have.
Sorry , should have made it clear, I've done several 1st aid courses, and will do a refresher with him.
I think it would be good if everybody did a 1st Aid course, no matter whether you travel or not, as you said Zoomtopz, things can go wrong anywhere.
_wombat_ said
07:24 PM Feb 3, 2011
Ah, that explains it, hope MrD is continuing to improve
capt cream bun said
07:44 PM Feb 3, 2011
Gerty I hope everything works out OK for you from now on.
I had a heart attack seven months ago. Minor pain in my jaw, cold sweat and felt ill. I pretty much realized straight away what was happening and being a solo how vulnerable i was. Drove myself to hospital, i know that was wrong but it was late so not a lot of traffic around and no way was i going to pay $1000. plus for an ambulance. Stent in place now. The key to a good heart attack is the speed at which you get treatment. The longer you wait the more damage occurs. One more little fact about my attack, and i bet other solos have done this also is...I considered carefully whether or not i should seek help. Wondered if those i care most for would be better off if i didnt seek help.
75% of people with diabetes die from heart attack.
Gerty Dancer said
07:53 PM Feb 3, 2011
OOOH! CCB! Surely its not that bad? Sending a hug!
Consider also, that your not seeking help may not prove fatal, but may make you an invalid and dependant... I dont even want to think about that one!
When I was a solo I had "ambulance only" cover from one of the private health insurers for less than $20 per year. Recommended.
PS.. thanks Ozi2 for that link, looks very interesting and much more affordable.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Thursday 3rd of February 2011 07:56:42 PM
Happywanderer said
08:49 PM Feb 4, 2011
CCB. Are you on a pension? If so you ambulance would be free. It is here in Vic, thought it was the same for all states.
Couple of months ago I called an ambulance and was taken to hospital. Free!!!
A few years ago my son called an ambulance (same town) and was taken to hospital. Could have walked it was so close. Got a bill for somewhere between 700 and 900 dollars, can't remember exactly.
Sheba said
12:53 AM Feb 5, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
CCB. Are you on a pension? If so you ambulance would be free. It is here in Vic, thought it was the same for all states.
Same in Qld. I was even taken to Rocky twice by Chopper for free before they discovered the heart thing.
I'm going to get an Epirb for when I'm in isolated areas when I go on the road.
Cheers, Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 5th of February 2011 12:55:37 AM
He took a couple of panadol, walked about for a while, said he felt better and slept all night while I lay awake worrying. First thing in the morning I persuaded him we should pack up and go and get some medical help, but D as usual said I'm fine now! Anyhow we came home to Canberra, he drove over the worst of the road and I did the highway. Because he was saying he was ok we didnt stop at Goulburn Hospital, and I brought him to the hospital in Canberra closest to home. The Drs said he should have come in at the first pain (which D finally admitted was actually the afternoon before and he hadnt told anybody!) and now I feel guilty.... we broke quite a lot of rules.
I phoned the Ranger today and discussed emergency procedures for the valley and she suggested we could have used the phone box... I hadnt remembered seeing it! I also asked about UHF emergency channels in Nat Parks, shes going to get back to me on that.
The purpose of this long story is to remind everybody that even the fittest person can have a heart attack. Know the symptoms, TELL SOMEBODY if you experience any of them!, and have an emergency plan, note phone boxes if theres no mobile signal.... We all think it cant happen to us, but it might.
He's doing well in the Coronary Care Unit, but there's a surreal feeling about the whole thing.
Edit:PS Wombeyan caves is a beautiful spot, not easy to tow a caravan in though. The Cave we saw was absolutely spectacular!!!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 02:18:44 PM
I always wonder as get a lot of arm pain and always put it down to arthritis as had that arm broken in two places just over a year ago. Then I sit there and think What if it is my heart? How would I know the difference?
I would be ringing for an ambulance every second night. And my kids would be say I am a hypochondriac.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 02:51:24 PM
Who cares what others think, you wellbeing is far more important.
Our next door neighbour has MS and the doctor who did the initial examination failed to pick it up. After hearing about that I have probably become ultra careful and very mistrustful, after all doctors are human and they make mistakes.
Now for HW, you need to get a checkup BEFORE you go on your trip, the hospital would need to do special checks for chest and left body pain, I say left because that is normally the side it effects most people, but not always so.
An ambalance friend of mine said "if they get a call out for a chest pain, and they get to the hospital and the result is that it's not a heart attack, then that is the best result" so don't be afraid of calling an ambalance
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:07:21 PM
Like HW, D was afraid he'd be thought a hypochondriac, as hes so fit it "couldnt possibly" be a heart attack. And it would have created quite a lot of fuss to be airlifted from that campground...lotsa people would have been woken/disturbed, he doesnt like making a fuss. Another lesson to be learned. Most important lesson is to act as soon as possible, that would have been in daylight in his case.
The ranger returned my call about a UHF emergency frequency... in National Parks that have one, its sign-posted on the road in, but Wombeyan doesnt have a manned emergency radio base, as I understand.
Thank you everybody, hes recovering very well, only minimal damage to his heart.
http://www.gme.net.au/products/emergency-beacons/plbs/MT410G
Pull the antenna up and turn on the switch.
2. The UHF emergency frequency is Channel 5.
DON'T rely on getting help that way.
Press the transmit button, WAIT 6-8 seconds, describe your name, exact lacation, problem and the help that you require.
Do this irrespective of whether you hear anybody, or not. They might be able to hear you.
The 6-8 second wait with the transmit button pressed before speaking is to allow people with radios on SCAN to lock onto your frequency befoer you speak.
3. Perform first aid.
4. Stay with the vehicle.
Cheers,
Peter
It is the designated emergency channel and one of the duplex channels, which means in simple terms your "range of contact" is extended, if there is a repeater in the area.
See http://www.uhfcb.com.au/40-Channel-UHF-Infomation.php for channel use.
See http://www.telstat.com.au/uhfworks.htm for listing of repeaters.
In situations described by Gerty, where only UHF is available, channel 5 is the first channel to try. However if you are in deep gullies chances of getting line of sight to a repeater are slim. Other duplex Channels (1 through to 8) could also be tried.
If no contact, maybe then try Channel 10 in the hope that some 4WDers are nearby with their radios on scan, then similarly 18 and 20 for Caravanners etc.
In isolated areas I usually have my CB scanning, with channel 5 and 10 in the scan. When in camp I tend to just leave the CB on 5, even overnight.
Gerty
Good to hear Mr D is recovering, and we hope he is back to 100% real soon.
Ambulance always say the best outcome to a call-out is nothing seriously wrong.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Women can have heart attacks differently to men. My Mum had back pain. Luckily, she was in hospital, and Doctors were right there at the time. I was right beside her and didn't even realize it was a heart attack.
Get checked out before you leave Marj. Bugger what everyone thinks.
There are a lot of devices around that are cheaper than sat phones ( unless you hire one) and one that I have seen that has a world wide application is the Spot Satellite GPS Messanger service, $237.00 and I think it has a monthly fee when used.
If you try www.gpstrackingaustralia.com.au you will find all the info on the device and its features.
Get well soon Mr D,
ozi2
Good to hear Mr D is on the mend, my story is, we were on the Birdsville track and I had a heart attack, lucky for me there where thousnads of people there because the outback mailman Tom Cruise was there for the weekend, anyway finished up in Melbourne and had a triple bypass, all good now my end.
last I heard sat phones were about $2000/$3000 and $1 a min to use, have a look at HF radio they are about $3500.00 cheap insurance in my opinion.
Not sure I understand the reason for Mr D to do a first aid course, you both need to do one if you never have.
I don't know much about EPIRB's but I think you need to get a new one every 2/3 years, don't quote me on that, you will need to investige it more, I am sure somebody on here would be able to help you.
Pass our best wishes to Mr D
Symptoms really do vary don't they.
I think it would be good if everybody did a 1st Aid course, no matter whether you travel or not, as you said Zoomtopz, things can go wrong anywhere.
Gerty I hope everything works out OK for you from now on.
I had a heart attack seven months ago. Minor pain in my jaw, cold sweat and felt ill. I pretty much realized straight away what was happening and being a solo how vulnerable i was. Drove myself to hospital, i know that was wrong but it was late so not a lot of traffic around and no way was i going to pay $1000. plus for an ambulance.
Stent in place now.
The key to a good heart attack is the speed at which you get treatment. The longer you wait the more damage occurs.
One more little fact about my attack, and i bet other solos have done this also is...I considered carefully whether or not i should seek help. Wondered if those i care most for would be better off if i didnt seek help.
75% of people with diabetes die from heart attack.
Consider also, that your not seeking help may not prove fatal, but may make you an invalid and dependant...
When I was a solo I had "ambulance only" cover from one of the private health insurers for less than $20 per year. Recommended.
PS.. thanks Ozi2 for that link, looks very interesting and much more affordable.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Thursday 3rd of February 2011 07:56:42 PM
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 5th of February 2011 12:55:37 AM