Anyone wear med alert bracelet?

Wondering if most folks with a PM wear a med alert "charm' ...not sure if I should...

16 Comments

Your decision

by IAN MC - 2016-02-05 01:02:03

Hi Suz If you look at "Polls" on the left hand side you will see that a survey has been done in the PM club.

According to the responses, 55 % of PM club members don't wear any form of med alert jewellery, 45 % do. I suspect that in the real world the figure for " Don'ts " will be much higher.

As jewellery is involved I would love to see a male : female split in the responses ( if my wife had a PM she would definitely be in the " yes " camp )

I have never understood why just having a PM would make anyone want to waste their money in this way but we are all different.

Ian


thanks

by Suz2015 - 2016-02-05 01:02:39

For your info.. hadn't noticed that link.....

I do

by chatterbox3110 - 2016-02-05 02:02:40

I wear a SOS Talisman bracelet..... it also contains my next of kin details, my GP and heart unit details, and all the medication I'm on, as well as my pacemaker details. Sometimes a scar on the chest isn't noticeable until too late, dependent on the circumstances. Hubby also wears one, because he is diabetic and suffers from high BP.

Perhaps for peace of mind you might wish to wear one - I don't always have my purse on me, especially if I'm out walking, so I don't have my PM card on me. You can get 'fake' SOS Talisman bracelets and necklaces for around £25 on Ebay, or like me, you can buy gold plated or silver plated ones in a jewellers for between £45 and £60.

Emergency

by Sheppey - 2016-02-05 02:02:46

A Medic Alert can be a life saver. As a EMT ,I want to find out everything about you -when you cannot respond or speak to me?
The first thing I need to know -why are you not responding? Any information, necklace ,bracelet or card will assist in my initial rapid assessment of you.
I always carry a see through wallet containing- Name ,address, emergency number... list of- medical ailments, medication and Pacemaker passport.
Time is critical ... information is critical.
Help the Medics -help you!

choices

by Tracey_E - 2016-02-05 02:02:56

It's really up to you. I never did, but a member here who's an EMT talked me into it. She said it affects how they'd cut us out of an accident, how they transport us, and where they transport us to. Her example was if we needed emergency surgery and they didn't notice the pacer before transporting, they may end up taking us to the closest facility rather than the one that can handle the pacer so we'd have to be moved again and waste precious time. A lot of if's, but it prompted me to get a few. I got pretty ones! I figured if they weren't stylish, I'd never wear them. I don't wear them at home or running around town, but if I'm out alone, if I'm traveling, then I usually have one on. I also have a silicon one for running.

Yes But

by IAN MC - 2016-02-05 03:02:03

There have been several previous posts on here from people who had various types of med alert jewellery and have been in emergency situations . Their warning jewellery was never even noticed.

As a PM patient who doesn't take any medications and have no other medical conditions I still do not see the point.

I would have to be :-

- alone
- unconscious and unable to communicate
- be cared for by someone who doesn't spot the obvious pacemaker by my left collarbone
- have a medical situation where not knowing that I have a PM would fundamentally affect the outcome
- be cared for by someone who doesn't find my pacemaker ID card

Also increasingly computerised medical records are becoming available across health services so providing your name is known then your medical history is easily available

All in all , a risk worth taking !!! If you want some entertainment look at the website for Med Alert jewellery, they recommend that anyone who is on ANY drugs should buy one of their products.

I don't think so !

Ian

I do!

by BetsyQ - 2016-02-05 03:02:08

I wear one for the reasons Sheppey stated and at the strong urging of my cardiologist. I can't think of a good reason not too and lots of good reasons to wear it! Having worked in an emergency department in the past, there are many times you are unable to communicate your medical history. Anything that can save precious moments without having to go on a medical safari to dig for information is a good thing when there is no one available to help with answers. People are alone more than they realize when something can happen and emergency care is required. (Running errands, dog walking, exercising, etc.)

I think everyone should

by valley01 - 2016-02-05 03:02:55

Not just because we have PM's but because you never know what might happen to you. I have a RoadID that fits right on my Fitbit. My PM info and emergency contact info is on the front. On the back is a phone number and a PIN that first responders can call and get all my medical details including medications, previous surgeries, who my doctors are, additional emergency contacts, even the fact that I have a dog at home that would need to be taken care of if something happened to me, etc.

ID Recommended

by Topaz - 2016-02-05 04:02:54

It was recommended by my surgeon and cardiologist. I got the bracelet from Gadow Jewelry through Amazon. Pricey but it goes with dress as well as casual clothing. I wear it any time I am out of the house.

No To Fancy Charm Styles

by Artist - 2016-02-06 01:02:32

I have been told by a number of EMTs and nurses to not wear medical charm style bracelets or pendants. They are too easily overlooked. I have a very comfortable plain medical alert bracelet that is so comfortable and durable that I have never taken it off since I put it on 15 months ago. I am used to it and never notice it. It has a slightly curved, engraved plate with curved edges and a very secure lobster style clasp. I got mine on ebay and many bracelets offer free engraving along with the medical alert symbol.

I wear one - paracord style

by techiej - 2016-02-06 06:02:50

I wear a paracord bracelet with a medic alert plate that states that I have a pacemaker, allergies & to 'see wallet'.

In my wallet I have a see-through pocket that contains my PM card + a list of allergies.

Cheap insurance in case something happens.

Suz...............

by Tattoo Man - 2016-02-06 07:02:27


.......OK ,..having a device is important....But.....

It is hardly a Life Threatening condition..

So..where does the list of past procedures and medications end ..??

I would have to carry a Two Inch Thick file of my medical history around with me....try this...

" It is with very sad news that we announce the untimely passing of Mr Tattoo Man ..who was hit by a truck whilst being burdened by a massive file that detailed his past medical history going back Six Decades...his passing is all the more tragic because he was an Ultra Runner and had ,..as we speak ,..here on the 6th of February..places to race all over the UK, including a 10k race on sand ,..end of February.....his final words were....." Damn that burdensome Tag..."

Suz..Forgive the Unforgiving...Brit Wit...Its how we deal with...The Reality / Macabre.

If you want something reassuring and pretty then go with it.

Your choice

TM

Missed

by Sheppey - 2016-02-06 08:02:48

Artist, you are correct in what you have said... but I remember my training -going back 45 years. It was drummed into our memory....' More things are missed by not looking-than are missed by not knowing' ?
Be safe -be well!

I wear one

by Lisalac - 2016-02-07 03:02:13

I wear one for my own reassurance. I think it's all your own preference. Sometimes I find some of the comments on this site to be a little obnoxious and have even thought about discontuinuing reading it but the helpful, less judgemental individuals keep me coming back. Take care and don't mind the ones that seem to forget once were new to this and had ton of questions I'm sure.

Thanks to all

by Suz2015 - 2016-02-08 07:02:38

I think I will get an ID alert as my husband fondly reminds me, I do have an allergy to Penicillin, and probably should have had one on for the past 10+ yrs !
I make jewelry for a living, but a completely different style than what they show...vain I guess...lol
I just was wondering what others thought....To the EMTs...
thanks for your advice ,especially, as being generally being the first responders, the chance that someone who knows "me", is my EMT, is slim to none..so thanks for the advice !
be well all....
Suz

id tags

by Tracey_E - 2016-02-09 04:02:43

I have these in several colors, but wear them with beads and leather cords that I got elsewhere.
http://www.n-styleid.com/charms-and-id-tags/medical-id-tags.html

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

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