Where there’s a will….
There will be less stress...
by R. Bruce Thomas
Can you list the Personal Protective Gear you should have when you ride a motorcycle?
Jacket, pants (not just jeans because asphalt doesn't care), footwear that covers your ankles, gloves, helmet, ear plugs, and eye protection.
If you've got all that you probably figure you've protected your body as best you can.
And that may be true when you're alive.
How about after that unplanned fatal crash?
Do you have a last will and testament?
If you ride a motorcycle (well, if you're alive and have dependents or assets of any kind) you should have a last will.
You should also have easily located documentation of your assets to ease the workload of your executor(s).
Do you carry an ICE (In Case of Emergency) list? And not just on your phone because it could get destroyed in a crash. Pack a contacts list with your registration and insurance documents.
Have you got any pre-paid travel plans that need to be cancelled? Who knows about these?
There are a lot of things to take care of when a life ends and you should want those tasks to be easy for the ones you leave behind.
What do you want to happen to the remains of your life?
Maybe you experience a crippling cruncher on your way home?
What do you want? How do you want to exist?
I've had a hip replacement and a knee replacement in the last five years and before you can get those procedures you must have a Personal Directive and fill in a Goals of Care document?
These designate someone to be make decisions for you if you are unable to and also make it clear the level of medical care you want. Under what circumstances would you want to be resuscitated or who would make the decision to pull the plug if you're deemed beyond recovery?
All of these documents should be considered part of your Personal Protective Gear as a motorcyclist.
Having these documents will allow you to enjoy your ride with the knowledge that whatever happens, you are prepared and both you and your family and friends are taken care of should the worst happen.
Here's a couple sites to find more info and the documents mentioned here.
- https://www.alberta.ca/decision-making-advance-planning
- https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/page12585.aspx
Ride responsibly, and often.