Coping When the Electricity Goes Out

[gerald]

This is something we all should consider and plan for.    For example, I don't have bottled oxygen available so I keep extra batteries charged for the POC and have a charger that will run from the car.   But I need to look at other items.



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Coping When the Electricity Goes Out

September 5, 2017 
by Kim Fredrickson

Yesterday I had a difficult experience. It began when our electricity went out as it was turning dark. We didn’t know the cause of the power outage, or how long it would be out. We later learned that a tree in the neighborhood fell down and took out a transformer. I wasn’t concerned initially, other than the normal inconveniences everyone experiences.

I use liquid oxygen, which doesn’t require electricity, but I do use an oxygen concentrator at night. My husband and I took out our flashlights, and talked about what we should do. We initially decided to stay home and go to bed early.

After about 10 minutes we changed our minds

We live in northern California, and it was 95 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside. After 10 minutes without electricity, it was 80 degrees in the house and climbing. I don’t do well in the heat because it makes it more difficult for me to breathe. I turned on a battery-operated portable fan, which helped only a little.

My husband said, “We can’t stay here, it isn’t safe for you.” I’m so grateful for him! He started packing a few things, including a concentrator and some cords to put in the car. I got on the phone to make a reservation at a hotel. It took me five tries before I found a hotel that wasn’t full.

It took about a half an hour to leave, and the temperature had climbed another few degrees. My husband filled up my portable stroller with liquid oxygen so I could get to and from the car. We packed and went to the hotel, and stayed there until morning, and I am so glad we did.

I learned a few things from this event

I was prepared by having:

    a source of oxygen that didn’t require electricity
    flashlights that worked
    a battery-operated fan
    a bag of oxygen cords, connectors and cannulas already packed to bring with us

I hadn’t considered:

    how not having electricity would affect me on a really hot day
    that I might have trouble finding a hotel room

I’m going to add the numbers of several hotels in the area to my bag of oxygen cords, connectors and cannulas so I don’t have to look them up, and add another set of batteries to run the fan.

All in all, it wasn’t very much to deal with – especially as I considered all those who are dealing with the hurricane and flooding in Texas and Louisiana. I kept thinking about what our fellow PF patients must be going through in those areas, and offering up prayers on their behalf.

How about you?


pulmonaryfibrosisnews.com/2017/09/05/pulmonary-fibrosis-patient-coped-electricity-out

[jim]

Thanks for sharing this great article Gerald, I can relate to this, with summer storms we do lose power at times.
A few years ago, a mini tornado ripped through here and we were without power for three days. I bought a generator, so we can keep our fridge a freezer going, they only need a 20 minute boost from time to time, we have lots of battery lights, a camping gas cooker and the gas BBQ, so we get by OK.

When I get oxygen, I'll do a rethink and see what else I may need.

[lavishgail]

I keep 2 large bottles of oxygen on hand. It will last about 18 hours! Plus i have 6 hour bottles here as well. Always have flash lights in every room and also we have candles and batteries on hand. Like Jim we also bought a generator, which will keep our fridge one light and Tv. We bought it last year , with all the power we lose every winter! We also have a wood stove if needed, and like Jim gas grill small camper stove and heaters. We are good! Very good read, thank you Gerald.

But it took us a couple of years to realize how much our power goes out..we have lots of woodsaround and many tree's tend to break and fall on the wires. Not good.

[David]

I get my mp3 player and earphones and sit on the patio

[joany]

David, haven't heard from you in a couple of days.  Hope you and others who may have been affected by hurricane Irma are doing okay.

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[David]

I have been posting at the fence. The hurricane did not effect me. It was to far away from me.

Here was our sunset yesterday, Sunday.

[lavishgail]

David that Sunset is gorgeous.. I wish I could get out my MP3 player and earplugs and just hang out and listen, but our electricity tends to go out from anywhere from three to five days and more. So I would be an ice bucket sitting out there with my earplugs in because it happens mostly in the winter . But I'm so glad that you live in Florida where it's warm and you can do that that's wonderful it gets down below zero here and then some and it's like being in a deep freeze so thank God for the generator my husband bought and all of the other things that we have we are lucky some people gave us some things because you know things like that are very expensive and we're not rich and he got the generator on sale and that really helped.

[Suzanne (Suz)]

That is good info Gerald - we always stock up on batteries and flashlights and candles. I don't have oxygen problems (yet) but this is great information to retain. @ David... you're funny! And I'm glad you're safe.