Flatlander Report post Posted June 21, 2015 How many of you guys hunt with an epi-pen? I have recently developed a severe allergy to something, no idea what. This morning it tried to kill me with a full on case of anaphylaxis w/shock. Luckily I live 5 minutes from Banner Gateway and they hit me with some epinephrine and got me back on my feet. It was a scary deal, my blood pressure got down to 50/11 at one point. Of course my first thought when I got home was, what if this happened in a camp, or on a trail, or some other God forsaken place not within a quick drive of emergency help. What do you guys with epi-pens do on hunts? Do you carry a sat phone additionally, my reaction to the epi was about as bad as the shock, so the thought of convulsing for hours at me in the woods isn't real appealing. Do you still hunt alone? With this still being unidentified I am pretty nervous about what could have happened. Just wondering what other guys do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
'Ike' Report post Posted June 21, 2015 I know one time a guide walked into a Yellow Jacket nest and we wished we had one...Luckily we were close to a store and got some Benadryl into him...I saw carry one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted June 21, 2015 My wife has asthma and always has one. Easy answer, for you. Carry one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted June 21, 2015 And a spot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWDesertRat Report post Posted June 21, 2015 Nothing wrong with carring an epipen around, get the one with two doses and familiarize your hunting buddies and your boys on how to use it as well as a short list of emergency phone numbers and nearest hospital... check out the DeLorme InReach too. Your biggest issue will likely be storing it in a way that temps won't be an issue, I think pens need to stay in temps less than 85. Ideally you find the allergen and won't be on edge as much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted June 21, 2015 Epi pen needs to be stored at room temp. Wrap it in foam and keep it in your pack. Should be fine even in the sun. Cold and heat are hurtful so keep it insulated. Wife says should be OK without extreme temps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted June 21, 2015 SPOT is a great idea. They are half price right now. Not going to lie, that scared me today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhxDT Report post Posted June 22, 2015 I am allergic to shellfish. I suggest you meet with an allergist to figure out what it is. Obviously playing with fire. I keep two with me when going to dinner, but given my allergy, I don't have to worry about it in AZ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted June 22, 2015 My oldest son is very allergic to bee stings. Ants make him swell up like crazy. We carry an epi-pen wherever we go - along with a full on first aid kit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ready2hunt Report post Posted June 22, 2015 get one. they are worth to have even for your year supply. hope all stays well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Sparky Report post Posted June 22, 2015 Yep. My youngest daughter has asthma. We found out about it when she was less than two months old and was having trouble breathing. We hauled a$$ to the hospital and the wife did a 35 minute drive in <20, luckily it was late at night. Had a blue baby when we got to the hospital with a pulse O2 of 56. She is on daily medicines and has Albuterol inhaler and prednisone if we need it. So I know how scary it can be. Get the scratch test done to see what you are allergic to. Smoke is her asthma trigger and we have a neighbor who likes burning his fireplace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havasuhunter Report post Posted June 22, 2015 I should. Shock almost killed me twice. I now live in AZ because of my allergies. The southeast is like poison to me. It's nothing to mess with. Doesn't matter how good a shape you are in, it will take you out if not prepared. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturegirl Report post Posted June 22, 2015 My ex hunted with an epi pen for a bee allergy. We kept a pen just about every place we could so there was always one available. It's not like men carry a purse they can throw it in. Well dang that's not true anymore....I'm seeing "man" purses more and more. He had to use the pen once on a javi hunt. I'd also recommend you carry a steroid dosepak of some sort prescribed by your doc. This will help until you can get to emergency medical services. I'd recommend going nowhere without your pen especially until you know what you are allergic to. It's serious business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1320 Report post Posted June 22, 2015 As said, isolate the trigger first with a specialist. I would carry several. Do you want to search for it when you need it. Pack, glovebox, camp box. It should be stored at room temp and is light sensitive. But for practical purposes it tolerates AZ temps. Did it make you tremble and shake or convulse as in seizing? Epi causes trembling and anxiousness, it is a synthetic andrenaline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lonne Report post Posted June 23, 2015 SPOTs are great. Don't know much about the newer, smaller ones, but the old ones work pretty good. Heard the new ones had issues, but most likely those were software issues, and hopefully they've sorted those out by new. Benadryl will work in a pinch but if you have an Epi pen around and have a severe allergic attack, you'll be happy to be alive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
