Finding Medical Help Off The Grid

How do you find medical help when you are living off the grid in a remote location?

Honestly... You don't.

Think about it. Where are you going to find a dentist or an audiologist in the middle of nowhere??? Or what happens if you break your leg and live in Northern Ontario? You would feel much safer living in the GTA in contrast and having a broken leg, because the TTC and taxis are just a short distance away.

So again the answer is that you just don't. You are going to have to find the following near to wherever you happen to be living... and some of these things may feel like they are a lot further to get to when you actually have a medical emergency.

• Audiologist (Eye Doctor)
• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Doctor
• ENT Doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat)
• Hospital
• Pharmacy
• Optometrist (Eye Doctor)
• Etc...

It really makes you realize that if you live in the middle of nowhere you had better not get sick or injure yourself.

Or have problems with your eyes, ears, etc... Like hearing loss in your old age. Where will you find a place that sells hearings aids in Northern Ontario for example?

Well the truth is you can find them in the larger towns and cities very easily (eg. there are lots of hearing clinics in Woodbridge, Vaughan and Thornhill). But such places are few and further between when you are living in the north.

In contrast if you live in Toronto such places are a dime a dozen. Eg. There are 3 pharmacies within a 2 minute walk from my home. There is also 2 optometrists, two health clinics (doctors, chiropractors, etc) and a hospital 5 minutes walk away.

So when it comes to second hand healthcare good luck if you are aiming to live off the grid. First hand healthcare, AKA taking care of yourself so you don't end up sick or injured - eating healthy, not taking risks, being proactive about any genetic problems you have (eg. If your family has a history of type one diabetes you will need to stock up on everything you need).

There are some health services you can access online. For example you can take a hearing test online or talk to a doctor over Skype or over the phone. You won't get the same quality of care as seeing them in person, but if they suspect that something is seriously wrong with you health wise then they will recommend coming in for a real checkup.

However talking to a doctor over Skype is really only so you allay your fears and get health advice.

It is not going to help you if you fell, broke your leg, and need an ambulance.

Or get your arm ripped off by a black bear.

Or got a series of bee stings on your ear and you are allergic to bees. (eg. I am allergic to wasp stings.)

It is not such a big deal if you just need a hearing centre so you can have a hearing test once every 5 years, but it will be a big deal if you accidentally chop off your hand with a chainsaw.