Medic Alert

[kengr]

It looks like I will have a stable income soon. Not going into more details until I have the papers (and money) in my hot little hands.

But with that, I was reminded that I could now afford Medic Alert if I want to. And with my various medical conditions, it's a good idea.

I've got two issues to deal with. One is that I'll be talking to my doctor about making sure significant stuff is listed (the diabetes and sleep apnea are gimmeees, but othere things may need to be listed as well).

The other is whether I should get the bracelet or the necklace ("dogtags")

Anybody out there have any relevant experience to offer advice from?

Comments

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

Just to throw another option into the mix, one of my coworkers has a Medic Alert watch.

[kengr]

Not really an option I'd be likely to be interested in.

Given that my cell phone does a perfectly adequate job of telling time, the only time I wear a watch anymore is when I'm using the one that ties in to my heart rate monitor thingie.

Depending on how hard it is to get the bracelet on and off, and how expensive the bracelet and "necklace" are, I might even go for both.

[freetrav.livejournal.com]

In my neck of the woods, the police don't even normally think to check for the 'dog tags'; since they're the first responder for most 911 calls, and for any "found a person unconscious" call (or 'sick passenger on the train'), I'd recommend the bracelet, which they WILL check for. EMS will probably check for the tags - but if the PD finds the bracelet, they'll note it in the call, which means that there'll be less delay once EMS gets to you.

Seconded on the bracelet. PLUS laminated wallet cards somewhere besides purse/ wallet

[capybyra.livejournal.com]

Dogtags often both get overlooked- and are a risk of their own. Strangulation from something "supposed to" save your life seems ironic eh? But it's weirdly happened. There's a new initiative to educate about breakaway clasps on all such neckwear.

Purse or pants carried wallets both have a risk of getting separated from "us" and if the medbracelet says "see card" that's not on us? Having backup Laminated cards to slip somewhere into clothing is worth considering depending on how grim your condition is. I know folks with various implanted bits that have been issued a bracelet that STUPIDLY looks like a Livestrong or buck store toy one instead of a proper metal bracelet. The kid also has some drug allergies and she's been told to carry an epipen which her school bitches about. The kid could DIE before a school nurse unlocks it. Grrr.

An ICE entry on the cell can be a life saver too, as the vials in one's fridge are, if your area is clued into them.

Goodwishes on the cash flow.

Re: Seconded on the bracelet. PLUS laminated wallet cards somewhere besides purse/ wallet

[kengr]

Wristbands snag too. Though the consequences are *usually* less fatal (but ask anybody who works with significant amounts of electricity or fast moving parts about that).

As far as I know the only things about me that are dire are the diabetes (type II so I don't have insulin around) and the sleep apnea (if I'm unconscious, that means they need to keep a close eye on my breathing).

I think the rest of the stuff is more along the lines of they may need to avoid giving me stuff that might interact badly with my various meds.

Same breakaway rules apply to wristgear. Velcro watchbands and plastitube..

[capybyra.livejournal.com]

I've worn velcro watchbands -forever it seems. Of course, it's arguable that Velcro Grilled Gus Grissom in that pad fire. If you dasn't have the sense of humour to have even a wry grin at suchlike- don't apply for space duty. I bet Grissom would smile at my phrasing after perhaps a snarl- then a smile.

One cow orker who moonlighted as a sparky had his medalert slid into clear Tygon tubing as shock prevention. He found the PVC he tried first triggered an allergy. And we drink from it as water pipe? Tygon's a lot more pricey. but he felt it worth spending. I've always wondered about a card for silicone breast implants.