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Medical ID Jewelery: "Safe" fashion is always in style
August 4, 2010 12:45 PMSend to a Friend
Who should wear medical IDs?
People who have medical conditions, medication or food allergies, special needs, implants (pacemaker, VNS, etc.), or require medical information to be known in emergency situations are strongly encouraged to wear medical ID.
Why should you wear one?
Medical IDs can help save lives. By alerting others about your medical conditions, allergies, and any other special needs, they can be crucial in helping to save time, and ensuring proper medical care for people that may be unable to communicate with health professionals in emergency situations.
Emergency responders are trained to look for medical ID or anything that can provide critical information in times of need. Every person is different, with unique needs in regards to medical care. Wearing medical ID is an excellent way in ensuring your individual needs are recognized and cared for adequately. Imagine how much time could be lost on determining the nature of a patient's condition, when urgent help could have been given. Misdiagnosis is equally as dangerous. With epilepsy, seizures can sometimes be mistaken for drunkenness, drug intoxication, fainting, or sleep and mental health disorders; a medical ID can help avoid confusion.
With the proper information, emergency care providers will know how to assess the situation and decide on further care. This is important for people living with epilepsy, as having a seizure does not always mean emergency hospital care is required, so an ID could eliminate unnecessary trips to the hospital.
What information should be included?
Any medical information that you feel is important for others to know in an emergency situation should be included on your medical ID. Several lines of engraving are usually available.
Including your name on your ID is a matter of personal preference; some people choose to include both first and last name, some only their first, others simply leave it out. The same goes for medications, as dosages and types of medication can change.
What types of medical ID are available?
Nowadays, medical IDs are not just bracelets and necklaces. There are many options available such as anklets, watches, stickers, temporary tattoos, waterproof sport bands with removable paper, and shoe lace and back pack tags. Some styles allow information to be concealed or enclosed under a clasp.
They can be made out of a variety of materials such as: stainless steel, gold, sterling silver, leather, beads, crystal, Velcro, etc. With so many fashionable options, it would not be uncommon to overlook some medical IDs as nothing more than nice pieces of jewelery. Some people prefer to use a silver or gold coloured bracelet because this is the traditional format.
Below are some examples of medical ID that are available:
Custom Medical Bracelets
Heart and Soul Medical ID Bracelet
$58.95
Sterling silver oval-shaped links woven together in an open pattern with a surgical stainless steel medical heart tag. Includes four lines of free custom engraving on the back.
N-Style ID
Black Leather Knot with Wave ID
$34.95
The Black Leather Knot leather medical bracelet is the perfect choice for casual men's wear. This bracelet is interchangeable with other bracelets from this site.
Epilepsy Foundation of America
Acu-life Medic Warning Bracelet
$9.95
There is a men's and women's version of this bracelet available (men’s have a heavy chain, women’s are thinner). They are made out of surgical steel, with the raised “Star of Life” emblem on the front and EPILEPSY engraved on the back. They are also hypo-allergenic.
Laurens Hope
Dutchess Medical ID Bracelet
$49.95
This bracelet features beautiful Swarovski Pearls in pink and grey combined with sterling silver bali beads. The medical ID tag is interchangeable with other bracelet styles.
Sticky Jewelry
Medical ID Watch with Black Strap
$12.95
This medical ID watch features a red medical symbol and See Other Side pre-printed on the face. It is made of polyurethane and stainless steel and is water resistant. The back of the watch can be engraved.
Vital ID
Medical ID bracelet
$14.95
An ID card is kept securely and discreetly inside this medical alert bracelet. This medical alert bracelet allows the wearer to quickly and easily update their information should they update their emergency contacts or modify their medical information. It is 100% waterproof. These are available in seven different colours and three different sizes.
MedicAlert
Dog Tag
$39.00
A brushed stainless steel dog tag style necklace with a 30" beaded chain.
Fiddledee IDs
Charm - Small Harlequin
$30
This necklace charm features a medical symbol on the front and your personal information on the back. It measures 1" x 1". It is handmade and features glass with soldered edges. Included in each purchase is a 24" ball chain stainless steel necklace or you may upgrade to black leather.
Beading Hearts
Brown Leather Watch Strap
$19.95
An adjustable watch style medical bracelet. The medical plaque is surgical stainless steel and can be custom engraved on the front and back. The adjustable strap is genuine leather and fits wrist sizes ranging from 5 1/2" to 7". This style is also available in black, hot pink, and light pink.
Petite Baubles Boutique
Medical Temporary Tattoos with pen
$5.50
Medical ID temporary tattoos are an inexpensive and highly visible alternative to bracelets or other jewelry. These are great for sports enthusiasts and/or children who cannot wear medical ID jewelery, or as an addition to jewelry as an extra precaution. They last at least 3-5 days, even with daily exposure to showers and swimming. Sold in quantities of 5, the tattoos measure 1.5" x 1.5".
Creative Medical ID
Mini Alert Charms
$8.00
A great addition to an existing medical id bracelet, especially with medical tags that are more discreet. These delicate sterling silver or gold filled mini charms are approx. 3/8".
N-Style ID
Khaki Green Woven Bracelet
$18.95
These woven Peruvian medical bracelets are available in an array of colors to fit your spirit. Bracelet is tied on one end making the size adjustable to fit a 7" wrist up to a 8 1/2" wrist. The medical ID tag is also available in seven different colours.
Custom Medical ID Bracelets
Medical ID Anklet
$44.95
An attractive and feminine sterling silver anklet. This is available in five different medical ID tags or five different medical ID charms.
Universal Medical ID Canada
Odyssey Elite Bracelet
$149.95
This bracelet features a raised 14K solid gold medical emblem on a sterling silver bracelet plate. A darkened or “oxidized” appearance on the sterling silver surface gives this piece a vintage look and emphasizes the embossed gold medical symbol.
What about medical ID for kids?
Kids and teens might be reluctant to wear something that draws attention to an illness or medical condition, but the array of choices specifically for kids are a great way to get them on board. It is crucial that kids want to wear their IDs and not take them off when they leave the house. Finding something that appeals to their taste and personal style is important.
Below are some examples of medical ID for children:
MedicAlert
Kids Sport Bands
$40
This durable bracelet is made from fabric, latex-free rubber, and stainless steel. They have a Velcro or a plastic slide in buckle closure. These come in a variety of patterns and colours in two different sizes.
Fiddledee IDs
Medical ID Flower Charm
$15.50
Adorable pint sized flower charms. These measure 1" round and are made out of aluminum. Choose from several colors and chain colors.
Creative Medical ID
Kiwi Lemonade Petite Set
$39.95
A children's petite design with 6mm pink & green fiber optic cat's eye beads and Bali silver dotted-edge spacers.
N-Style ID
Fire Medical ID Bands
$15.95
These are made of nylon webbing and adjustable with a plastic center push buckle. Engraving is printed on the back of the medical ID tag. The Slider ID purchased with this band is also interchangeable with other bands from this company.
N-Style ID
Jelly Blue Outer Space Child ID Bracelet
$12.95
The Jelly kids medical bracelets are water repellent and come in a variety of designs. Engraving is printed on the back of the medical ID tag. The Slider ID purchased with this band, is also interchangeable with other medical bracelets from this company. Bands fit up to 6 1/2".
Medical ID Store
Medical ID Shoe Tags for Infants and Children
$13.50
Medical ID shoe tags are great for infants and small children who do not wear bracelets. They are available in brightly colored vinyl or metal to attract attention. Each tag can be engraved with 10 words.
Should I purchase my medical ID from a company that stores my medical information in a registry?
In addition to ID jewelery, medical information can be entered into an online registry and obtained by health professionals when needed. Some companies offer membership programs that provide 24/7 emergency live response. The most well known company to offer this service is MedicAlert. However, other companies such as Universal Medical ID Canada also now offer this service.
It is important to note that MedicAlert requires a membership. This costs $39 - $49 and must be renewed yearly. A partial subsidy is available from MedicAlert for certain jewelery types and the membership fee to those in financial need. Children in certain schools in Canada can also receive a free MedicAlert ID bracelet through the No Child Without program.
It is a personal choice to decide whether to use a registry service. This could depend on the severity of your condition, as well as, whether you have other health conditions or allergies.
Where can I purchase medical ID?
Below are some links to companies who provide medical ID:
Beaded Daisy: www.beadeddaisy.com
Beading Hearts: www.beadinghearts.ca
Creative Medical ID: www.creativemedicalid.com
Custom Medical Bracelets: www.custommedicalbracelets.com
Fiddledee IDs: www.fiddledeeids.com
Lauren's Hope: www.laurenshope.com
Medical ID Store: www.medicalidstore.com
MedicAlert: www.medicalert.ca
N-Style ID: www.n-styleid.com
Petite Baubles Boutique: www.petitebaublesboutique.com
Sticky Jewelry: www.stickyj.com
Universal Medical ID Canada: www.universalmedicalid.com/canada
Vital ID: www.vitalid.ca
For more information on medical ID and safety devices, please read our information sheet: Health and Safety Devices for People with Epilepsy.
Posted by at August 4, 2010 12:45 PM
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