Paramedics, EMT's, Nurses.... Where do you look for a Medic Alert ID first?

Nurses General Nursing

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I need to get a Medic Alert ID. It seems the most common are bracelets, at least according to other people I know in the Hemophilia community. But they also have necklaces, watches, sports bands, and shoe tags.

Where do you look at first to locate one of these? I don't know which one I should get. I would rather have one that would be the easiest or most convenient to notice.

What do you think?;

MedicAlert IDs

 

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I always notice a medic alert bracelet on the wrist....

I'm pretty sure I'd notice one on the neck, as long as it was the traditional "medic alert" logo and of a fairly decent size (similar in size to the bracelet logo).

I'm not sure I'd notice one on a watch...I can say that I've never seen one on a watch so far...maybe as long as it had an obvious logo, I'd notice it, but I'm not sure. There are paramedic/EMT logo watches that look really similar to the "medic alert" watch, so it might be missed, unfortunately.

It's kind of a tradeoff...sure, you want the jewelry to be inconspicuous and pretty, so you will wear it on a regular basis, but if it isn't an obvious "medic alert" bracelet/necklace, you run the risk of it being missed in the initial assessment.

The bracelet always seems to be a good choice.

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I'd go for the bracelet. It's obvious, and *you* know it's there. If you take off your necklace and forget to put it back on, or it falls off, you might not notice if it's gone. With a bracelet, because *you* can see it, so you're more likely to notice if you have lost it.

I have a friend who is diabetic. He was trying to decide if he wanted the bracelet or not. He also is covered in tattoos, and was kicking around the idea of some sort of alert tattoo. I told him he should get TYPE 1 DIABETIC tattooed right below each AC and on his chest, as that's where the paramedics would be looking for veins or to apply tele patches. He got the bracelet, but I kind of liked my idea.

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We looking in all the 'spots' as part of a quick head to toe: wrists, neck, ankles and shoes (shoe tags are pretty common on kids, especially young ones). I can't really say that any location is more common or faster than another.

But please, please, PLEASE get something that is clearly a medical alert tag. Small bracelet charms that are among other charms are very easy to overlook.

I use this one in sterling with a raised emblem (not the red enamel). Discrete but noticeable and it looks better with age.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Agree - an easily identifiable bracelet or necklace that is always worn. Other items are more likely to be overlooked.

I am in no way discouraging the use of these medical alert items; however, in a medical emergency where the patient is unable to provide information, the emergency treatment of symptoms will be the same regardless of whether a medical alert item is present or not. Hypo- or hyper-glycemia will be identified and treated. If sudden blood loss requires transfusion of uncrossmatched blood -- you're going to get O-. Anaphylaxis will be treated. Seizure activity will be treated. Etc.

I would rather that people put effort into carrying something with them that will help with contacting family in an emergency. And remember -- in a bad MVA or MCC -- cell phones go flying and may not be recovered.

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Specializes in NICU.

I think the medic alert bracelets are just as much for the ER staff as EMS.

If I am unconsious and have to go to surgery, and there is no family around, I want them to KNOW I am allergic to penicillin, because it is an antibiotic they LOVE to give in the OR. Last time I had PCN, I nearly died from anaphylaxis.

Also, my son wears one because he is autistic. If I am unconcious, I want EMS personnel to know that he is autistic because he may be difficult to deal with, and at least they will have an idea as to why. He does not do well in stressful situations, and would not be able to tell the Paramedics that he has autism.

Yes, they will treat anaphylaxis, etc wether you are wearing a bracelet or not, but if EMS arrives to an unconcious victim and noone around knows WHY, the medic alert bracelet has valuable info as to what MAY be causing the arrest/anaphylaxis/unconciousness, etc. and at least EMS has a starting point as to the cause, and can better treat the victim.

In Florida, the DMV adds contact info to your driver's license so that the next of kin can be contacted in case of an emergency. I have my mom, husband, and grandmother on mine. If the cell phone is destroyed, they can always run my driver's license. :)

Agree - an easily identifiable bracelet or necklace that is always worn. Other items are more likely to be overlooked.

I am in no way discouraging the use of these medical alert items; however, in a medical emergency where the patient is unable to provide information, the emergency treatment of symptoms will be the same regardless of whether a medical alert item is present or not. Hypo- or hyper-glycemia will be identified and treated. If sudden blood loss requires transfusion of uncrossmatched blood -- you're going to get O-. Anaphylaxis will be treated. Seizure activity will be treated. Etc.

I would rather that people put effort into carrying something with them that will help with contacting family in an emergency. And remember -- in a bad MVA or MCC -- cell phones go flying and may not be recovered.

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Specializes in hospice, corrections.

I have a medic alert watch. i am going to get a bracelet or a necklace too because as a nurse in scrubs it is easily thought of a "cutsie nurse watch" with an emblem on it. It has happened, twice. I had a couple anaphylactic reactions and not one person, emt or er personnel looked at my watch.

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I think the medic alert bracelets are just as much for the ER staff as EMS.

If I am unconsious and have to go to surgery, and there is no family around, I want them to KNOW I am allergic to penicillin, because it is an antibiotic they LOVE to give in the OR. Last time I had PCN, I nearly died from anaphylaxis.

Also, my son wears one because he is autistic. If I am unconcious, I want EMS personnel to know that he is autistic because he may be difficult to deal with, and at least they will have an idea as to why. He does not do well in stressful situations, and would not be able to tell the Paramedics that he has autism.

Yes, they will treat anaphylaxis, etc wether you are wearing a bracelet or not, but if EMS arrives to an unconcious victim and noone around knows WHY, the medic alert bracelet has valuable info as to what MAY be causing the arrest/anaphylaxis/unconciousness, etc. and at least EMS has a starting point as to the cause, and can better treat the victim.

In Florida, the DMV adds contact info to your driver's license so that the next of kin can be contacted in case of an emergency. I have my mom, husband, and grandmother on mine. If the cell phone is destroyed, they can always run my driver's license. :)

Thank you for bringing this up. My hubby is severely allergic to penicillin, amoxicillin, and ceclor. He might be allergic to others. I just know those 3 for sure and honestly the only antibiotic they give him is clindamycin.

I think I'm going to get him a necklace for other times and a shoe tag for when he's at work.

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Agree - an easily identifiable bracelet or necklace that is always worn. Other items are more likely to be overlooked.

I am in no way discouraging the use of these medical alert items; however, in a medical emergency where the patient is unable to provide information, the emergency treatment of symptoms will be the same regardless of whether a medical alert item is present or not. Hypo- or hyper-glycemia will be identified and treated. If sudden blood loss requires transfusion of uncrossmatched blood -- you're going to get O-. Anaphylaxis will be treated. Seizure activity will be treated. Etc.

I would rather that people put effort into carrying something with them that will help with contacting family in an emergency. And remember -- in a bad MVA or MCC -- cell phones go flying and may not be recovered.

I think you bring up a valid point.

I need them to know because if I am bleeding somewhere I will bleed for a long time. Much longer than they average person. If they know then they will know I will need more blood as well (if I suffer blood loss.) I'll actually be more susceptible to needing a transfusion.

Also, I agree that people need something that helps with contacting family. I can't get the actual Medic Alert ID jewelry without getting a membership, which includes 24 hour emergency family notification. So I'll be covered there :)

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Thank you everyone.

I was definitely leaning more towards the bracelet. I agree that I will notice it's on more than I would a necklace.

I also agree that the watch isn't very noticeable. Thank you for your story on that mariahas4kids.

Couldn't really wear the shoe tag. Maybe when I start clinical or something, but otherwise, I never wear athletic shoes with shoe laces.

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I'd go for the bracelet. It's obvious, and *you* know it's there. If you take off your necklace and forget to put it back on, or it falls off, you might not notice if it's gone. With a bracelet, because *you* can see it, so you're more likely to notice if you have lost it.

I have a friend who is diabetic. He was trying to decide if he wanted the bracelet or not. He also is covered in tattoos, and was kicking around the idea of some sort of alert tattoo. I told him he should get TYPE 1 DIABETIC tattooed right below each AC and on his chest, as that's where the paramedics would be looking for veins or to apply tele patches. He got the bracelet, but I kind of liked my idea.

I think your tattoo idea was pretty good!

Mine would look ridiculous. It would be twice as long as his.

Compare:

Type 1 Diabetic

von Willebrand's disease Type 1

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