Medical Alert Paraphernalia

Medical identification items such as bracelets are designed to inform healthcare professionals of conditions that may impact treatment in an emergency where you cannot speak for yourself.

If you have a chronic condition, food or drug allergies, or take medications such as long-term steroids or anticoagulants, they may alter the treatment you might receive, and it is imperative that healthcare professionals know and can act accordingly. In a situation where you may be unconscious or unable to speak, a medical alert can provide vital information regarding conditions, medications and next-of-kin.

What medical alert items are available?

Many different medical alert items are available, the most common being a bracelet that is worn and easily identified in an emergency.

There are a number of reputable online companies where you can purchase a medical alert bracelet, a couple of which are listed below. Please ensure when purchasing online that the company is legitimate and that their jewellery will be recognised by the healthcare professionals.

https://www.medicalert.org.uk/collections/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medic-Alert-Bracelets/s?k=Medic+Alert+Bracelets

Lions Club Message in a Bottle

Lions Clubs Message in a Bottle is a simple but effective way for people to keep their basic personal and medical details where they can be found in an emergency on a standard form and in a common location – the fridge.

Message in a Bottle (known within Lions as MIAB) helps emergency services personnel to save valuable time in identifying an individual very quickly and knowing if they have any allergies or take special medication.

Paramedics, police, firefighters and social services support this Lions life-saving initiative and know to look in the fridge when they see the Message in Bottle stickers supplied. The initiative provides peace of mind that prompt and appropriate medical assistance can be provided, and next of kin/emergency contacts can be notified.

How to obtain a Message in a Bottle

Members of the public and other organisations can obtain a Message in a Bottle kit by contacting their local Lions club; more details are available here.