EMTs and other first responders: is a medical alert necklace also useful, if someone doesn't want to wear a bracelet?

“American Medical ID recently surveyed emergency medical professionals ranging from first responders to paramedics. Among the results:

* More than 95 percent of respondents look for a medical ID during emergencies.
* More than 75 percent look for a medical ID immediately upon assessing a patient.
* 95 percent look at the patient’s wrist to find a medical ID, and 68 percent look for an ID on the patient’s neck.” American Medical ID

I’m not an EMT personnel but I can say as a diabetic that having at least some form of medical alert identification can be a life saver. For some strange reason when someone passes out the first thing people think is that they have low blood sugar, which is remedied with glucose. Without something to identify that I’m a diabetic if I pass out because of high blood sugar and they shoot me up with MORE sugar than I’ll probably go into a coma.

Same thing with AIDs patients, they wear identification since their blood is considered “toxic”. So EMT’s would have to wear protective gear before they begin to attempt to help them because their blood is contaminated.

People with metallic parts inside their bodies wear bracelets because the AED/defib machine would interfere with the operation of the equipment and cause more harm than it would help. By metallic parts I mean like artificial hearts and the likes.

I was a Medic when I first joined the Army, that’s where I’m getting my information from. Ask away for more examples if needed, I don’t want to steal anyone’s idea by making a really long post :P

When I had my Vagus Nerve Stimulator placed the first thing the doctor’s office told me was that I needed to update my medic alert bracelet, but because that is a rather long alert I had to get a necklace instead. I’ve had one for a while and it hasn’t ever fallen off. When I had my bracelet the clasp was rather weak and I must have had to replace it three or four times. That got to be rather expensive, and led to times when I had no alert.

I have been thinking about getting an alert for my medication allergies, the list is a little long. I thought I might only list those drugs most likely to be given in an emergency, and then put my doctor’s name and number who has a list, and keep a card in my wallet. I wonder if they check people’s wallet? I also thought about keeping one of those computer thingies with vital information on a key ring. Most of my allergies are not obvious, I need to be conscious to communicate my skin is on fire or I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest, it isn’t observed by the outsider, but it over time would probably cause me a lot of harm. One of my allergies is a rash, but that would not be noticed initially ether I don’t think. The scariest is I refuse tetanus shots, and that is almost automatic after an accident. That scares me the most.

@JLeslie There isn’t a real guideline on what goes on a medical bracelet (necklace), but one thing you always want is your doctor/hospital name, if you’re allergic to peanuts, onions, penicillin, if you have a vitamin deficiency, if you have AIDS/HIV, if you are a stroke.heart attack survivor, and if you’re a diabetic. Seems like a lot but if you think about it the medical id isn’t your patient records, it’s to let them know if they need to conduct special procedures to save or maintain your life.

@JLeslie, on a MedicAlert bracelet your conditions would be listed and a toll free number given. They are there 24/7, and would give anyone calling any additional information. Any first responders that would administer ANY injections has been trained to look first. (I know because on one of my all to frequent trips to the ER I asked the ENTs!)

@GracieT I never knew about the 24/7 number. Thanks for that info.

I wear a RoadID band when I ride or hike or do anything active that is in secluded areas. My daughter also wears one for those and other obvious reasons.
The service being the scene allows you to post your information such as who you are, contacts, medical needs, current medications, etc. Neither of us have health issues, but if something happened there is an immediate method of identification and contacts information if needed by Emergency Responders via phone or web app.