Traveling as an overweight person isn’t usually going to be much different from any other person; however, for some people, there may be some additional reasons to take extra precautions when traveling and moving between locations. For one, if you weigh over 400 pounds, you may require special transportation assistance since standard passenger vehicles and public transportation may not be able to accommodate you.
Additionally, overweight people are at greater risk of heart and skin conditions that can quickly become an emergency without the right precautions in place. While it might seem stressful or difficult to travel, it does not have to be. If you are considering traveling as an overnight person, here are 6 tips to keep in mind while traveling that will help keep you safe.
Inquire or Research Ahead of Time
If you plan to use public transportation, you may run into problems due to your weight. While size does not usually matter, some train lines or bus services may only offer seats that are too small for you to sit comfortably. In some cases, they may not even have adjustable armrests, making sitting down uncomfortable and impractical.
This is less of a problem with trains than buses, but you should still inquire or research whether your chosen mode of public transportation can adequately accommodate you. By researching ahead of time, you can avoid complications and an uncomfortable experience on the road.
Contact the Airline
If you plan to travel by air, it would be best to reach out to the airline first if you have concerns about your weight. Seats in most aircraft are rather small and narrow—and in some rows, even smaller—making for a potentially uncomfortable experience. The best thing you can do is speak with an airline representative to ask for advice when picking a seat during the booking process. They will know best how to accommodate you as comfortably as possible.
Electric Convenience Vehicles
Some overweight travelers may have heart or knee problems that can make walking long distances a challenge. To help such travelers, electric convenience vehicles, or ECVs, can make traveling long stretches significantly easier and avoid physical strain. Tourist venues, museums, and theme parks usually have them on offer for overweight patients, but you can also rent or purchase them from private companies if you are traveling somewhere that does not offer them.
Bariatric Transportation
Bariatric transportation is a common service for overweight people that need assistance getting from one location to another, especially if they weigh over 400 pounds. Bariatric vehicles are typically part of a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) provider’s fleet of vehicles, and they come specially equipped to accommodate overweight patients with drivers who receive medical training and qualifications to oversee patients during transit.
Door-to-Door Services
If you require bariatric transportation to reach your destination, another service worth considering is Door-to-Door transportation. Many NEMT providers offer this service for patients who have difficulty leaving their homes without assistance, and drivers will even assist people from their rooms to a stretcher, bed, or any other accommodation at the final destination. When looking for bariatric transportation, it is worth checking whether they offer Door-to-Door services as well.
Monitoring Your Vitals
Given that extremely overweight people are at heightened risk of health problems, paying close attention to your vitals throughout the trip is important. If you have any concerns about your health, you should try and get professional bariatric services to transport you to your destination; or in the case of air travel, research what medical services are available to ensure you stay safe while in the air.
If you require NEMT or bariatric transportation services, Stellar Transport offers quality and reliable transportation services with medically qualified drivers. Contact us today to schedule a ride!