Seat belt placement for stomas?

Hi Bob - I don't know how lenient the UK police would be about stomas and seat belts. They are pretty hot on people not wearing them. I have the added horror of being awfully skinny and the belt dug into my shoulder blade until it was sore. So I sewed towels around the seat belt and positioned it where my shoulder blade is. I have a high output into my ileostomy because I have very little bowel left and my output is just liquid. At the start of a journey, my stoma bag is flat, but after a short while, my bag gets quite big and the pressure of the seat belt made me feel as if it was going to burst any minute - Aaargh - especially if you have passengers. How embarrassing would that be? So I got a plastic rectangular ice cream box and it fitted very well over my bag. Problem solved!

Excellent!  I'm a skinny one too, I'll have to try that.

Hello Diz.

What a great idea!  It's often the simple solutions that are best.

Best wishes 

Bill

I don't wear one as of yet... It simply feels really bad and totally uncomfortable. My doctor gave me a note to keep in the car in the event I get pulled over or something. Not sure if it'll help but it's worth a shot if it happens.

There are a lot of idiots out there on the road, which means you don't have it in your hand if or when you get an accident. You also mentioned a bike, are you talking about a bicycle or a motorcycle? For a bicycle, I can somewhat understand if you don't want to wear a helmet if you're just on a city bicycle, but on a motorcycle, really?

You go play your "freedom card" to be an organ donor and not take basic safety precautions...

Hello withed.

My wife and I do not wear crash helmets for riding bicycles. Instead we have 'Hovding' airbags. I have had just one accident since wearing these and the hovding deployed perfectly. What I was most impressed with, was that it protects the whole of the head and the neck. They are a bit expensive but Hovding let me have a replacement for half price. 

Best wishes

Bill 

Regarding the topic, I totally agree with many comments on this.

Your comment sums it up quite well, "freedom card".

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose, nothing ain't worth nothing, but it's free. Kristofferson, I guess, quite poignant.

To compound the original post, Bob appears to be actively encouraging the disregard of safety devices designed to save lives.

So why has he chosen a life-saving opportunity just to 'tempt fate'?

Have fun, folks.

S

Hi Charley, when I looked into purchasing a stoma guard, I found one that costs about $50 but it attaches to the pouch by Velcro and presumably the part that is stuck to the pouch is disposed of when the pouch is changed, so the Velcro is an item that has to be purchased regularly. Is this the stoma guard that you purchased? Is the name Stoma Dome? Thanks.

Hi Bob, I finally learned that pressure from a seat belt or snug jeans on the stoma can cause a leak to occur underneath the wafer (or whatever it's called), but I still don't understand how that can happen. Anyways, until I can purchase or create something better, I am using a tightly rolled small towel, approximately three inches in diameter by nine inches long, secured by rubber bands. I place this between my legs and pull the seat belt over the towel so that it does not touch the stoma, which is on my right side.

I have an ileostomy, I always wear my seatbelt, whether I'm a passenger or the driver. All I do is just loosen the belt and put it down lower on my stomach. I've never had a problem with it.

I watched my roommate burn to death being unable to get her belt released. That was back in 1972, and I still have nightmares. I will NEVER forget her screams. It is MY CHOICE to not wear a seatbelt. Your judgment is unnecessary. And if you think it would be "FUNNY" to see someone harmed in any way just because they don't agree with your choices, then YOUR sense of humor needs adjusting. Yes, I realize there are laws, and I also have a notice from my PCP because a seatbelt pulls my bag off because of positioning. HOWEVER, it has ALWAYS been my choice. If someone is going to get hurt, it will be me, not you. If I ride with someone else and they are driving, I sit in the back to avoid legal repercussions for them. And as far as traffic disruption and waste of emergency services, etc. -- talk to those who phone, text, dance to the music, apply makeup, eat, drink, argue with a passenger, turn around to chastise their fighting children, wave their arms screaming at the person who just ran them off the road, reach for something in the back seat, etc., etc., etc. My choice may NOT be the best choice, but it is MY CHOICE and I stand by it. Regulators need to stop taking away freedom of choice from adults in the name of the protection of children. I don't have children, but I do believe kids who don't sit still belong in seat belts. Of course, in an accident, I hope you can get them out of the car....

PEACE

Dadnabbit

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose

Nothin' don't mean nothin' hon if it ain't free   Kristofferson

Freedom means and is worth everything to me.

Peace

Dadnabbit

Hi Dadnabbit,

Sorry to hear about your roommate, that really sucks. My dad was in a very bad car accident when I was in college. He was the passenger in his best friend's car on the way to work in the morning when his friend fell asleep while driving and hit a stopped car in traffic on a parkway at over 60 mph. A toolbox in the back of the car slid forward from the impact and drove my dad through the windshield and out onto the highway. He suffered a broken back and other minor injuries, but did fully recover and is still alive today. Had he been wearing a seatbelt, he would have been crushed to death between the toolbox and the dash. So I just ignore stupid comments like Sueaxe's. I wasn't encouraging anyone to do anything... I simply asked if ostomates wear a seatbelt or not. Everyone's situation and viewpoint is different, so I appreciate those who share theirs on the subject.

Regards,

Bob

Thanks Bob, for the kind words.

My point is just that we are all the result of our personal experiences, and lack of freedom of choice is my number one pet peeve. I honestly believe in live and let live, as long as you are not doing something to intentionally hurt someone else. And when it comes to making choices that are reflected by religious, moral and/or ethical choices, choices that others may judge as being harmful to themselves or someone else, I'll make my choice and answer to my God at the end of my life. You know what they say--- Opinions are like @*****, everyone's got one, (or two in some of our cases LOL) and we should be allowed to live and die by our own choices. I don't want to tell anyone else what to do, and I don't want to be told, either. I am well aware that there are folks who will disagree with me, such as anti-abortionists and advocates against the death penalty. Living within a society, we are subject to following the "community" rules and that's what our laws are for. But, I will admit that I am more likely to follow my gut, my conscience, and my moral and ethical beliefs, and my decisions and choices will be based on my experiences.

PEACE

Dadnabbit

I'm sorry to hear you both know people who experienced a traumatic accident in traffic. You don't wish that upon anyone.

I still find it a pity you make out the seatbelts as evil. In your story, Bob, there were other things more wrong. Your dad's friend fell asleep behind the wheel, and the heavy toolbox in the back was not securely fastened. All of those add up to a tragic accident.

And Dadnabbit, I'm sorry about your experience with seeing your roommate's tragic death. Seatbelts aren't what they were back in the 70s now, though. You can blame so many things during a crash; there's always something. What if the car didn't have a windshield blocking that person's escape? What if the car door wasn't stuck closed? With that train of thought, you might as well not drive a car because each part can become the reason a person's life was lost in a tragic accident.

I've had a crash at 80 mph and only had a light concussion and a bruise. A friend who had a similar crash broke his collarbone and needed months to recover. Sometimes accidents don't make sense, and bad things happen to good people.

But to not stray too much off topic, what types of stoma guards are available? And do special stoma seatbelts exist?

Hi Withed,

I fully understand what you're saying about accidents. I didn't mean for this discussion to degrade into "who thinks what" about whether seat belts should be worn or not, and how folks feel about that. I was just curious how ostomates dealt with the seat belt "issue", for lack of a better word. In terms of stoma protectors, I think Stoma Guard is a brand name for one specific product. There are others like Stoma Shield, etc. If you Google "stoma protector" you'll get more info than you ever wanted. These are all basically covers attached to a belt that, when worn, keep anything from putting pressure directly on your stoma. Some are aluminum, others plastic, but all basically the same. For those with less sensitive stomas, they make pads that go on the seat belt strap itself to cushion the belt pressure on the stoma. For my sorry butt, I have to deal with high output most of the time, which means when I get stuck in traffic or ate too much before I started to drive, I'll need to empty my bag into a plastic urinal I keep in my car, and do this while driving or in traffic. So for me, I need access to my bag while driving. Having to remove the stoma protector, hold the urinal and the bottom of my bag, and pay attention while driving would be too much of a hassle. For me..........and I'm not advocating anyone else do as I do..........it's just easier to loop my shoulder belt over my right knee. This gives me access to my bag, I can easily see how full it is, and drain it without any issues, if need be. Now I remember seeing something that slips on the seat belt instead of you having to wear it on a belt, but that would be specifically for seat belts and not overall stoma protection. Bottom line is there are options, and each person's situation is different. Maybe I should have titled my post........If You Don't Wear a Seat Belt While Driving, Do the Cops Hassle You? Thanks for your replies.

Regards,

Bob

I remember long ago in the hospital they had bags with a tube exit. Maybe that's something you could benefit from? If you wear a 2-part system, you can swap out your bag for one of those when driving and then hook it up to your urinal/container inside your car so any production can flow there without you having to worry about your bag being accessible behind a seatbelt. Not to mention less risk of spillage inside your car.

No, Bob. My stoma guard is hard plastic, about four inches across, and it fits tightly over the opening in my barrier. It is held in place with an ostomy belt that attaches to the outer shell. It is reusable. I have had mine for several years. I'll try to locate the exact company name and address and get back to you.

This Stoma Guard can be found at www.ostomyresolutions.com. The price has gone up a bit, but I think it is still worth owning.

Yes, I wear a seatbelt all of the time. I do my best not to have it rest on my stoma.

Bob,

In regard to wearing a seatbelt, I have a medical certificate from my local Dr.

That states I have a lifelong medical condition which would be impacted by

wearing a restrictive belt. Granted, the belt would lay directly over the stoma

and could restrict flow of urine especially as I have an in-dwelling catheter

directly in the stoma. However, the certificate only lasts for 1 year and then I

have to renew it.

One overzealous Police Officer did send me to court but the magistrate threw it out.

Different countries - different rules.

Best of luck,

Ocker

Hi gang,

Thanks for the responses. I need to clarify something I said earlier. I don't loop the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt over my right knee........I loop the waist belt portion of the seat belt over my right knee. I got looking at it yesterday and realized I misspoke. My waist belt part of the seat belt passes directly over my stoma, crushing my bag against it and restricting flow. So far, the few times I've forgotten to loop that portion over my knee I've caught it in time before the barrier seal blew. Just wanted to be clear on that.

Thanks

Bob

I use a stoma protector made of carbon fiber. It was custom made and is tough and comfy.

'CUSTOM MADE'     Now that's what I like to hear. I therefore presume it is much closer to what you really-really want  (- as the song goes).

Best wishes

Bill

With regard to the seatbelt question, I just bought something called a Stoma-Dome on Amazon. It's a plastic "dome" with an open bottom to allow draining that attaches to my bag using special Velcro crescents (that also come with the dome); so no extra belt is needed. It's simple to use and it works great. It protects my stoma and allows me to use my seatbelt without the belt pressing against my stoma. It also lets me wear high-waisted clothes that previously caused pancaking. Hope this helps.

Hi, I do the same as you. Put on the seatbelt across the chest, pull for slack, and then put it across the left or right knee depending on driver or passenger. Any cop will see the belt across your chest but not the fact that the belt is not across your belly but across your knee. I never got stopped or a ticket. They see the strap across your chest. Live on and rock on.

And the below does not account for airbags or the precharges in a seatbelt 'pull you back system' which activates as an 'almost' instant event as the airbag is coming at you (did you know about these?! Nah, I thought not). Are people this naive, belligerent, maybe so, or really just thick? Yeh, I accept sh*t occurs, but to not use what you are wearing 'incorrectly' is just daft.

Horse to water scenario. Oh well, Tc folk.

. . . .

NSW Centre for Road Safety delivers a stern message to drivers. Ever pondered the consequences of not wearing your seatbelt correctly in the event of an accident? The NSW Centre for Road Safety has shown the sobering results after conducting a test at its Crashlab facility recently.

Using two dummies (maybe ostomates) – one with the seatbelt worn incorrectly under the arm and the other traveling in a reclined seat, or 'low riding' – the center stowed a Toyota Camry into a wall at 60km/h. The first dummy wearing a seatbelt under the arm is seen propelled forward into the dashboard, an event that would leave a grim prognosis in a real-life accident, according to stakeholders. The other passenger, seen 'low riding', also suffers dire consequences.
"All the force is applied to the abdomen which would probably result in injuries to the liver, spleen, anything within the abdomen," said Dr. Jeremy Hsu, head of Trauma and a surgeon at the Westmead Hospital.
"When it came to the low rider test, [there is] a very high risk of death and permanent disability."
The Centre for Road Safety released the vision to coincide with Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety week.
According to official figures, 30 people died on NSW roads last year not wearing a seatbelt or wearing a seatbelt incorrectly.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, said the crash test footage should serve as a warning to road users.
"Think about when you have worn, or have seen someone wear, a seatbelt under the arm to prevent it from rubbing on the neck, or to prevent clothes from being creased, and think about the potential consequences demonstrated in this crash test footage," Pavey said.
"Another reason is beauty - whether you're putting on makeup in the mirror or don't want your spray tan to be smudged, you really need to watch this footage. Vanity is not worth it."
"Think about when you've been tired and reclined your seat as a passenger in a moving car or indeed reclined your seat while driving - as we see with young men 'low riding'.

Morning Bob....I do wear my belt, but I make sure I have my phone or some other item on the side to stretch the lap part of the belt so it's not laying on my stoma. Mine is located right where the belt goes, and I have a power port in my chest where the belt crosses. I just put my hand around it so it doesn't rub, etc..... Doesn't say much for the hubby's driving, does it? Lol. Happy Sunday...

I am not a driver. But when in a car, I do clip my seatbelt in, but hold the strap a little away from my stomach. If, God forbid, a pending accident were to occur, I would then be able to let go of the held strap to protect myself.

I put the seat belt into the latch, lock it in before I sit in my SUV so I never unclip it!!

Then I get in my vehicle and slip my left arm through the seat belt that crosses your chest only!!

So the seat belt that strangles your bag or bags is actually behind your back!!

Out of sight, out of mind of Mr. Cop??

I have never had a tug from Mr. Cop since having 2 bags but one life!!

In case you're wondering, I'm in the UK and drive on the proper side of the road!!

Go well, Drive well!!