Be Prepared With Medic Alert By Cyn Bagley on Aug 10, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Medic-Alert is a well-known organization for medical alerting jewelry for emergency responders. About three years ago or so, another organization that I belong to (Vasculitis Foundation) recommended that its members use some type of alerting device because of the medications we use (cytoxan, imuran, methotrexate, prednisone) and because we don't look ill when our disease is chemically suppressed.

So I went to the url: http://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx and found that Medic-Alert has many other services besides jewelry. Of course I should mention that my jewelry has all my medical conditions such as allergic to penicillin and renal hypertension. But when I became a member they were able to store basic medical information such as doctors, family members, conditions, and medications.

The emergency responder can call a number on the back of the jewelry (1-800-825-3780) and use my number to find out if there is important information that would save my life. You probably have seen this type of jewelry for diabetic patients.

But, they also have other services as well. They came up with a USB memory device that can hold all of your medical records. You just hang it on your neck. Medic-Alert is one group that is finding many ways to help chronic disease patients.

So far this device has only been a preventive measure, but I can feel better knowing that if I am subconscious in an emergency situation that my responders will have all the information I can give them to save my life.