I recently discovered the hard way that I am allergic to bee
stings and I now have an Epipen in possession. I was wondering if any fellow umpire has the same problem and how does he/she handle the issue of having one on the field while umpiring. I have never been stung on the field but before I didn't care. There are kits available to carry the pen on a belt some are in black so they would be less obtrusive. I suppose I could put the pen in the ball bag when I am doing the plate.

Any history out there with someone with the same problem.

Chet Martel
NCAA, NHFS, ASA, BABE RUTH

Epipen
 

Chet,

I'm also allergic to bee stings and have several Epipen's. When on the field as I keep the Epipen in a small pouch I have attached to my water container. I keep another one in the glove box of my vehicle. So far I've only had to use it once and it wasn't sports related.

Michael

I thought that keeping it in a glove box was a no-no
because the medicine would deterioate with the heat.
But this is the type of 'real world' advice I was seeking.

Thanks

I carry a stun gun in my ball bag when I umpire mens fastpitch.

Epipen
 

I got Anaphylaxis from my last insect sting. I got the Epipen and it's instructions. Nowhere does it say when to use the Epipen. After an bee or wasp sting should I wait to see if I feel anaphylaxis starting and then use the Epipen? or use it immediately after a sting (regardless of how I feel).

Anaphylactic shock - swelling inside the throat that occludes your breathing path... you die from lack of oxygen because you cannot suck in any air.

I'm only a first aid provider but if you have a known allergic reaction to bee stings, I WOULD NOT WAIT TO SEE IF YOU CAN KEEP BREATHING. The epipen is a shot of epinephrine, similar to adrenaline. I don't believe there is any danger to taking that injection even if the anaphylaxis never manifests. I highly recommend that if you get stung, you take the shot within the next couple of minutes.

Check with your doctor that prescribed the pen but I don't believe you should wait.

Epipen
 

Thanks for your reply, and I will take advise