by Amy Leibrock October 17, 2018
You’ve learned about the benefits and peace of mind a medical ID bracelet can provide, and you’re ready to buy your first one. But if you’ve never worn an ID bracelet before, you might be wondering: What is the best information to include? Whether it’s for yourself, your child or your pet, there are a few important things to consider when designing a custom medical ID.
The first item on a medical ID bracelet should always be your name so anyone who finds you knows immediately who you are. That way, they can call you by name or start researching more about you if you can’t communicate. Be sure to include any common nicknames — if you’re confused from an accident, you might not answer to Alexandria if everyone calls you Lex.
Next, you should include the city, state and country where you live. If you’re injured while traveling, or you’re separated from your child, this can help authorities narrow down who you are and whether you might have family close by or not.
Whether it’s your spouse, parent, or best friend, it’s important to figure out who you would want authorities to call first if you’re in an accident. This person should be someone who knows about your health history and whom you trust to make important decisions on your behalf. You should include their full name and number. Their relationship to you is optional but could be helpful.
It’s also a good idea to list a second or even a third contact on a medical ID bracelet in case your primary contact can’t be reached. For instance, if your spouse is your primary contact and you’re both injured in an accident, who should authorities call? If you have a severe medical condition, the secondary contact could even be your doctor.
Whomever you end up listing, be sure to ask them for the best number to engrave on your ID and let them know you’re listing them as your emergency contact.
For some people, the above information might be enough. But if you have a particular medical condition, life-threatening allergies, or an important medication schedule, ROAD iD medical alert bracelets have room for more info. Ask yourself if there’s anything that would be critical for someone to know about you in an emergency. Are you allergic to bees? Are you diabetic? Are you living in a foreign country where you’re not fluent in the language? Do you have a preferred hospital?
For some people with complex medical histories, the space on a medical ID bracelet may not be enough. That’s why ROAD iD offers an Interactive Medical ID with an online profile where you can add as much information as you need, including more contact numbers, medication information, allergy details and more. You can even upload documents, like EKG reports and health histories. Your personalized medical ID bracelet will then be engraved with an 800 number and website where first responders can access your profile using a serial number and PIN engraved on the back.
Since ROAD iD bracelets have room for multiple faceplates, you can also add a second one with more information, or a badge with a single message in larger print, like a hobby, an accomplishment, a medical condition — or even a unicorn.
Since no one wants to wear a bracelet that is all work and no play, ROAD iD gives customers the freedom to make a custom medical ID with a motto, slogan, or catchphrase — whatever you need to keep you motivated and inspired to put on that ID and get out in the world. The sky is the limit!
Life moves fast, so make sure you review the information on your medical ID bracelets from time to time to keep things up to date.
————Amy Leibrock is a Cincinnati-based freelance writer. Her work has appeared in realsimple.com, parents.com, Family Circle and more.
