BCIR Advocate Living with the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir 
It’s that time of year to get out and do some camping or go for a hike in the great outdoors! So what’s the best way to take care of business when you have a BCIR and you’re outdoors in the woods? Well for me, in most cases I’ll be fine until I’m back at camp to use a proper bathroom. But every once in awhile, usually due to gas causing discomfort, I might need to veer off the trail to intubate so that I can better enjoy the hike.
I’ve learned not to eat a huge meal just before a hike, and also to avoid fruit while hiking because it seems to build gas quickly. But many times this just isn’t enough and I need to take care of business on the trail. Here are a few notes that may help you out as well…
Before heading out on the trail, pack some tissue, hand sanitizer, your tube, and an extra bottle of water. Bring one bottle of water strictly for drinking and the other for cleaning.
When nature calls, head safely off the trail where you know no one will stumble on to your bathroom break. If you want to appease the rangers, dig a hole and aim for that. Have your tissue, sanitizer, and water ready. Standing with your feet apart (to avoid and blow-back), intubate, and aim for your hole in the dirt. Once complete, use tissue and water to clean up, also run some water through your tube to clean it out as well. Finally, just fill in your hole with some dirt, and use the sanitizer for a final clean up, and off you go!
