A List of Items Emergency Personnel Need If You Are in an Accident

Everyone has that fear, a fear that something will happen to them and no one will know about it. They will end up in a coma or something equally as scary and either not be able to tell someone their name or not be able to remember it. Below is a list of items that will help ensure this never happens and that you receive the very best care possible.

I have had the privilege of running with my local rescue squad for two years and have seen first hand the conditions some people have ended up in, either by choice or by accident. The first and most important item that everyone should always carry on them is some form of ID, picture preferred. School, gym membership, driver's licenses anything with a picture and a name on it that says who you are. This not only lets us know who you are but also helps law enforcement with notification of family and or next-of-kin about the accident and which hospital you have been taken to.

Next thing you should have, and carry, is a medical ID of some sort that lists your allergies to medications and food, most local pharmacies have medical ID bracelets or wallet inserts that are pre-printed or engravable with your medical condition or allergy. This is necessary before we administer medications to ensure that we don't have an interaction with something you are already taking or might be allergic to. Equally important is a list of current medications you are taking, dose, frequency, and what you are taking the medication for. Include with this a list of conditions you have but may not be taking medications for. This will help us to quickly evaluate what might be the cause of your current condition.

You may want to contact your local emergency services to see if they have a standard form that you can fill out or consider your local pharmacies who sometimes do a Vial of Life program (www.vialoflife.com) vials with a sticker you place on your front door that states your information is in the refrigerator and a large pill container with a preprinted list of the above named titles of information needed in case of an emergency..

Along with the above named items you may want to consider, your Dr.'s name and number, preference of Hospitals, Emergency contact, and where to locate your Power of Attorney or DNR Orders (www.familydr.org) may be found.

You are the best source of your information and can give the most complete list of anyone. Once you establish your information please keep it up to date. These are ways to save a life.