A medical ID bracelet is an engraved piece of jewelry with relevant information in an emergency. Medical alert bracelets may not be the most fashionable accessory available, but they’re definitely the accessory most likely to save your life—or at least prevent some major medical problem.
Admittedly, not everyone needs a medical alert bracelet, but for some people, it’s pretty necessary in a crisis. If you have a chronic condition, major allergies, or just want to be sure the right person gets called in an emergency, a medical alert bracelet might be a great option. Here’s a look at the benefits of a medical alert bracelet.
Illness or Disease Indicator
Individuals with chronic illnesses can greatly benefit from a medical ID bracelet. While this might seem obvious for diseases like epilepsy or deafness, even blood disorders or an uncommon illness can merit a bracelet. If something happens requiring emergency treatment, having a bracelet with any diseases listed can make sure anyone treating you, from paramedics to an ER doctor, knows about underlying conditions. This is especially true if you’re around strangers or acquaintances that don’t know about your underlying condition.
For example, if you have a blood disorder that makes you bleed easily and get in a car accident, it’s extremely important for first responders to know why you’re bleeding more than seems normal for your injury—particularly if you’re unconscious. Additionally, it can help prevent trips to the hospital that aren’t strictly necessary. People with epilepsy, a chronic seizure condition, are used to dealing with their seizures. Strangers tend to panic and immediately assume an ambulance is the best course of action—leading to thousands of dollars in unnecessary hospital bills.
Allergen Identifier
Millions of people have an allergy to something, whether it’s peanuts, penicillin, or hay. A medical ID bracelet can be great for kids with allergies to common foods, like eggs. Expecting a toddler to remember allergens, particularly if there are multiples, can lead to scary and dangerous situations. Additionally, for people with a pharmacological allergy, a bracelet with medical allergies listed can prevent miscommunication in the event of a hospital visit. Even if you aren’t unconscious, it can be hard to remember all the important information in an emergency, particularly if you don’t have a great memory or don’t handle panic well.
Medication Informant
Another great use for medical alert bracelets is listing medications. Having it on your wrist means you don’t have to remember a long list of weird names every time you see a doctor, and it also means the information is clear and available in emergency situations. Having any medications you take regularly on an ID bracelet makes it easier for medical staff to avoid giving you anything that doesn’t react well with what you’re already taking. It also means if something strange happens (for example, you pass out for no reason for the first time), there’s a place for caretakers to start looking for side effects.
Emergency Contact Information
Even if you have no allergies or diseases, a medical alert bracelet is a great way to keep your emergency contact information handy. For young children, it’s a reassurance for parents. Likewise, equipping elderly loved ones facing memory loss or anyone with a tendency for accidents with medical alert bracelets makes it easy for family or friends to be notified promptly.
Medical Alert Necklaces
For those people who don’t like the idea of wearing a bracelet every day, a medical alert necklace is a great alternative. Necklaces are a more subtle accessory than a bracelet, in part because they can be hidden so easily. The wearer can simply tuck them into their shirt. It’s also easier to access a medical alert necklace than it is to access a bracelet, and the necklace can often hold more information than a bracelet would.
(Featured image via Facebook.)
