# MedicAlert ID's, where do they look first? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 2, 2008, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736 "2008-05-02T10:55:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Melkor28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Melkor28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melkor28)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/1 "2008-05-02T10:55:44Z")
I am on Coumadin, and Verapamil for heart conditions; and am getting a MedicAlert ID. When a paramedic approaches my lifless body, do they check the wrist frist, or the neck? Shoud I get a bracelet or a necklace? ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/2 "2008-05-02T11:29:56Z")
[QUOTE=Melkor28] I am on Coumadin, and Verapamil for heart conditions; and am getting a MedicAlert ID. When a paramedic approaches my lifless body, do they check the wrist frist, or the neck? Shoud I get a bracelet or a necklace? [/QUOTE] We look both places, and if you’re in your house at the time, we look in the refrigerator for a Vial of Life. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/3 "2008-05-02T18:13:16Z")
[QUOTE=VunderBob] Vial of Life. [/QUOTE] What’s that? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/4 "2008-05-02T18:16:08Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] What’s that? [/QUOTE] Knowing who said it, I’d wager real money that it’s a paramedic joke. Fess up, Bobbio! Are you rummaging through their fridge for beer? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/5 "2008-05-02T18:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] What’s that? [/QUOTE] [Vial of Life](http://www.vialoflife.com/) is a standardized way of having information about yourself available to pre-hospital caregivers. The link has all the information needed. Everything is kept in the refrigerator as a consistant place (everyone has a fridge) and it’s the most likely place to remain intact after a disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/6 "2008-05-02T18:25:18Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] [Vial of Life](http://www.vialoflife.com/) is a standardized way of having information about yourself available to pre-hospital caregivers. The link has all the information needed. Everything is kept in the refrigerator as a consistant place (everyone has a fridge) and it’s the most likely place to remain intact after a disaster. [/QUOTE] That’s really cool. My emergency medical card in my wallet is getting really ragged as I’ve been carrying the same one for almost 20 years, I think I’ll make a new one based on that site (Brit-ified though). Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/7 "2008-05-02T18:28:37Z")
Huh. Looks like I’d have lost that bet. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/8 "2008-05-02T19:42:29Z")
[QUOTE=Melkor28] I am on Coumadin, and Verapamil for heart conditions; and am getting a MedicAlert ID. When a paramedic approaches my lifless body, do they check the wrist frist, or the neck? Shoud I get a bracelet or a necklace? [/QUOTE] Like **VunderBob** said, we’ll look both places. The important thing is to get whichever one is more comfortable and that you’ll actually wear. Also, people with lists of medications are awesome! People with lists of their medical history, meds, and allergies are, um, awsomer! 🆒 St. Urho Paramedic ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/9 "2008-05-02T19:48:22Z")
That reminds me, and pardon the hijack, but will you really give me aspirin if you think I’m having a heart attack. I’m allergic and one PA I saw once told me to get a MedicAlert deal for aspirin. It doesn’t seem worth it. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/10 "2008-05-02T21:22:53Z")
If you’re really allergic to aspirin\*, and you’re having a heart attack we won’t give you aspirin. Also, for you to get the aspirin you’d have to be conscious- it’s given in the chewable pill form. So you’d be able to tell us you’re allergic and as far as EMS is concerned, I don’t think you need a medical alert tag. - I’m not saying you’re not allergic. Lots of people say they’re allergic to medictions when they actually experience unpleasant side effects. If aspririn makes your stomach upset, it’s worth it to take if you’re having a heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/11 "2008-05-03T03:52:20Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] That reminds me, and pardon the hijack, but will you really give me aspirin if you think I’m having a heart attack. [/QUOTE] Depends on the regulations in your state, and who shows up. I’m just a lowly EMT, and am not authorized (according to my state protocols) to give aspirin. Paramedics, however; can and do give aspirin. As for the OP, I always check the wrist first, and then for a necklace. Either one will be found. ---
**Author:** ![Melkor28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Melkor28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melkor28)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/12 "2008-05-03T09:52:44Z")
Wow, I thought the _Vial of Life_ was a joke too. A copy of your latest EKG in the Vial, what a great idea! Goes real well for a person with heart conditions. I might get the Vial too. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/13 "2008-05-03T11:13:49Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] [QUOTE=picunurse] … Everything is kept in the refrigerator as a consistant place (everyone has a fridge) and it’s the most likely place to remain intact after a disaster. [/QUOTE] … That’s really cool. … [/QUOTE] Yes, we noticed. Very clever. ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/14 "2008-05-05T17:10:01Z")
What about these? [Medic alert USB drive.](http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3119) Seems like a good idea. Lots of info could be available, but I wonder weather paramedics have a computer available. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/15 "2008-05-05T17:15:26Z")
[QUOTE=RedSwinglineOne] What about these? [Medic alert USB drive.](http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3119) Seems like a good idea. Lots of info could be available, but I wonder weather paramedics have a computer available. [/QUOTE] We have them on the ambulance for report writing, but I doubt anyone has the time to read a USB stick in the heat of battle. We would take it for safekeeping, and hand it over at the hospital with our paperwork. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/16 "2008-05-05T18:30:50Z")
[QUOTE=St. Urho] - I’m not saying you’re not allergic. Lots of people say they’re allergic to medictions when they actually experience unpleasant side effects. If aspririn makes your stomach upset, it’s worth it to take if you’re having a heart attack. [/QUOTE] To continue the hijack, I only think I am because my mom gave it to me when I was an infant and I broke out in hives. I haven’t tried again to see what happens, but I do use Aleve with no bad effects, and I think that’s not to be taken by people who are allergic to aspirin? Thanks for the info! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/17 "2008-05-05T19:41:45Z")
My mother is allergic to lots of stuff, far more than can be put on a bracelet or necklace. Is there a way for the responders to call a number that can let them know about the two typewritten pages of things she’s allergic to, the fact that she can’t have sticks in the left arm, has heart issues, etc.?The latex allergy so far only gives a contact rash. The benedryl allergy has some pretty severe reactions, though. I would guess that for many things, they could just give her the life-saving drugs and deal with the allergies later. StG ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/18 "2008-05-05T22:26:07Z")
[QUOTE=StGermain] My mother is allergic to lots of stuff, far more than can be put on a bracelet or necklace. Is there a way for the responders to call a number that can let them know about the two typewritten pages of things she’s allergic to, the fact that she can’t have sticks in the left arm, has heart issues, etc.?The latex allergy so far only gives a contact rash. The benedryl allergy has some pretty severe reactions, though. I would guess that for many things, they could just give her the life-saving drugs and deal with the allergies later. StG [/QUOTE] Good lord, if she’s allergic to _Benadryl_ (diphenhydramine) for Og’s sake PLEASE get some sort of alert thing for her - 50 mg of diphenhydramine is part of standard treatment for severe and/or sudden allergic reactions. They really need to know to NOT give that to her, particularly if she has a LOT of allergies. Maybe put “diphenhydramine and other allergies” on a bracelet/tag so they are warned and prepared. Just a suggestion, but Benadryl is _such_ a common treatment for allergies that, oh my, anyone treating her really needs to know that so they don’t unintentionally make a situation worse. (I have a lot of allergies myself and warn medical types that I am prone to them, and to treat any signs of them aggressively should I be unconscious at the time. So far, no bad reactions from medical procedures but those involved seemed appreciative of knowing the risk was elevated in my case so they could be prepared to deal with a reaction. For example, when I had my colonoscopy I told the anesthetist that if I woke up and he told me he’d doused me with chemicals due to hives and/or breathing problems I would completely understand and he had my full permission to, as I said, aggressively treat \*any \*signs of allergy to any medications given to me.) ---
**Author:** ![Melkor28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Melkor28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melkor28)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/19 "2008-05-05T23:18:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by StGermain > My mother is allergic to lots of stuff, far more than can be put on a bracelet or necklace. Is there a way for the responders to call a number that can let them know about the two typewritten pages of things she’s allergic to, the fact that she can’t have sticks in the left arm, has heart issues, etc.?The latex allergy so far only gives a contact rash. The benedryl allergy has some pretty severe reactions, though. I would guess that for many things, they could just give her the life-saving drugs and deal with the allergies later MedicAlert bracelets also have a phone number to there headquaters; for a full list of medical conditions, medications, your doctor’s phone numbers, and next of kin contacts. Which you provide them. You list the most important medical conditions, medications, and allerges on the braclet; and they (EMT’s, paramedics, and hospitals) call for the rest. Meds like coumadin, allerges to benedryl, and penicillin are top priority on the braclelet. A lot of anitbiotics are derived from penicillin. When I ordered my bracelet online, https://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx , a woman called me to organize and prioritize what to put on the braclet. I felt very satisfied with the whole prosses. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736/20 "2008-05-05T23:23:42Z")
[QUOTE=Melkor28] When I ordered my bracelet online, https://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx , a woman called me to organize and prioritize what to put on the braclet. I felt very satisfied with the whole prosses. [/QUOTE] [Fixed link](https://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicalert-ids-where-do-they-look-first/447736.md?page=2)