How to Vacation With a Head Injury

Head injuries can injure more than the brain---head wounds can seriously limit the ability to perform certain activities. To know how to plan a vacation around someone with a head injury, you must know where the person is in his recovery. According to The Brain Injury Recovery Network (TBI), you must watch a person with a head injury during the first stage of recovery, or "crisis phase." Most likely, you will have to cancel or postpone your plans. People with injuries no longer considered critical may be able to take a vacation, but be cautious to prevent further brain injury.

Instructions

• 1

  Review possible activities and travel itineraries. Highlight activities that may cause injury or agitation to the brain or head. Among other things, this can include bicycling, roller coasters or contact sports. Imagine each activity in full detail and the corresponding risk for possible further injury. If you think risk exists, eliminate that activity from your itinerary. Flying may not be recommended because it can exacerbate swelling of the brain due to changes in cabin pressure.

• 2

  Search for local emergency rooms on your vacation route. For example, if your vacation includes stops in Charlotte, New York and Miami, search for hospitals in each area. Program each hospital's phone number into your cell phone. If you plan to vacation in the country, far from a hospital, search for a local doctor (preferably a neurologist) who may be on call during your vacation. If you travel outside your country, program emergency phone numbers for those regions.

• 3

  Contact the injured person's doctor and let her know your plans. She should inform you of all risks specific to the medical case, as well as contact any doctors in the area of your vacation. If you have the brain injury, give your doctor contact information and names of your traveling partners.