Been kickin' around wearing a medicalert ID again

[Ben Smith]

I have been really thinking about ordering a medicalert bracelet.

I don't care about the look, am just curious as to how many of our memebers wear one and if the members have mechanical valces (obviously coumadin) or if some of our tissue valve recipients wear an ID and why.

[Barry]

Recent thread on this very topic: http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10407


I used to wear one, a link broke so I stopped. Hate wearing bracelets of any kind, but looks like wearing the alert on a necklace can be easily overlookedin an emergency, so I guess I gotta get my bracelet fixed. In a medical emergency, it'd be important for folks to know I'm on Warfarin.

[geebee]

Ben,

I don't have a medic alert although I occasionally feel I should. I do keep a few cards in my wallet, right by my license, as I have been told ER folks look for a wallet right away in an emergency. The cards are about coumadin, my valve ID card, my doctor's name, etc.

I would like to hear from our paramedic folks out there as to what works best.

[fyrfytr]

Hey Ben,
I do wear one all the time and it says,
Heart Patient
Taking Coumadin
Aortic Valve Replacement
I think it is very important to have.
Take Care

[LUVMyBirman]

Just came across mine today. For some reason.......I took it off a few years back and it has not made it's way back on my wrist :eek: Poor excuse I know. The card/s they give you are nice. It actually has more info than the bracelet can hold. Keep one in my wallet and one on the visor of car. I also have OnStar in which they have all of that info.

[Karlynn]

Yep, I have one and have worn one ever since my replacement. Mine says "Mitral Valve Replaced - on Coumadin".
I just bought a new one a few months ago and they sent me a little decal for my car window that has the Medic Alert emblem on it. I thought that was a good idea.

I also have "taking Coumadin for valve replacement" taped right onto the front of my driver's license.

I think it's good to be covered in as many areas as possible.

[Barry]

...I think it's good to be covered in as many areas as possible.

Have you spoken with a tattoo artist about this philosophy of yours?

[Sagebrush]

I don't have a necklace or bracelet but wear a watch with the medical alert on the face.

[gadgetman]

Ben,

I don't have a medic alert although I occasionally feel I should. I do keep a few cards in my wallet, right by my license, as I have been told ER folks look for a wallet right away in an emergency. The cards are about coumadin, my valve ID card, my doctor's name, etc.

I would like to hear from our paramedic folks out there as to what works best.

Not a paramedic just a lowly volunteer fireman but I've been to a lot of accidents. If you are unconscious the wallet is usually given to the law officer on the scene, usually for the Drivers License Info. In the heat of the moment, unless some relative or passenger points out your problem, the EMT is intent on just saving your life. Unless the officer looks through the wallet and notices the warning notices it may get overlooked. We've even had purses get thrown out of the vehicle and not be noticed (especially at night) for a while. Bracelet is best, necklace next. But some notice on your person should be considered, especially with coumadin.

May God Bless,

Danny

[geebee]

I just got off the phone with Medic Alert. I stopped procrastinating and have a bracelet AND necklace on the way. I wanted an "upgrade" bracelet so I had to pay a little extra. The necklace came with the membership so it was "basically" free or, at least, at no additional charge.

Anyway, I will soon be covered from wrist to neck :D.

[tommy]

Necklace with name, phone number and "Coumadin, Mech Aortic Valve Repl". I wear it all the time except when sleeping and in the water. I use a wristband for swimming. Similar text as necklace. I don't like anything around my neck in the water or when asleep..

My nightly ritual is that I take my necklace off at the same time that I take my Coumadin.

Also have my valve ID card and an "Emergency Contacts" card (self made and laminated) in my wallet. It has all my docs' names and numbers as well as more phone numbers for my wife and insurance.

At my latest 5k run, the back of the numbered bib had a place to fill out medical info. I usually print out an extra "Emergency Contacts" card and tape it to the back.

[Gail in Ca]

I wear my bracelet all the time, never take it off. Since I live in earthquake country, it might be needed if I get rocked in the middle of the night.
It says, "aortic valve replaced, takes coumadin".
Short and to the point.
However, I think it would be great if we could be microchipped, but then there would be nothing to let emergency personnel know that we have one.
Maybe a tattoo?
I don't really like the bracelet as it gets stuck halfway up my arm when I am sleeping. But, I like knowing my info is readily available.
Gail