Medic Alert Bracelet ? for any medical professionals out there

This issue came up in another discussion thread about Medic Alert bracelets and I think it deserves its own thread.  My surgeon recommended that I get a Medic Alert bracelet to wear after surgery, so I got a very plain-jane model.  Then I found out about www.laurenshope.com, which has a wide variety of really beautiful bracelets that you can get with or without the medic alert plaque and bought a new medic alert bracelet that is quite lovely but still has a big plaque on it with the red medic alert icon on the "front" side and my medical info on the "back" side. Someone made the claim that in an emergency, EMT's and other medical personnel would ignore a "pretty" medic alert bracelet, thus defeating the purpose of the bracelet.  Is that true?  My new bracelet looks like tasteful women's jewelry that just happens to have the medical plaque attached to it.  If I'm in an accident, is an EMT going to glance at it and think it's just a regular bracelet?  Do I have to wear the plain-jane bracelet in order to get an EMT's attention? Thanks, Jean

I hope not because I also ordered a beautiful silver beaded ID bracelet from Lauren's Hope with the medical tag on it. I will be checking back in to see if anyone answers. Thanks for posting this question.

I'm not sure why we would need one. I can't speak for the EMT's, but I would notice a plain one first I think.  That's just what I'm used to.   I'd say yours is just fine.......I wouldn't get another one. Cheri

I asked my cousin who is an EMT what she would do in a case like that. And she said to be honest unless she saw the red medic alert plaque she would proably just think that your pretty one was a nice piece  of jewerly. Because until they become more aware of the PRETTY ones being alerts they wont realize it. She said that was just her , who knows what the others think.

I have been thinking about getting one, but was unsure what to have put on it. What did you have put on yours? Thanks, Amy

Something like this.... The above named patient has had gastric surgery which has reduced his/her stomach capacity to less than 3 ounces. Please keep this in mind in an emergency situation. NO NG TUBE!

Hi, just to let you know that Nasogastric (NG) tubes are placed blindly outside of the hospital, there is no other way to do it. It is measured on the outside of your body and inserted into your nose, down to your stomach. They are usually used by EMS for stomach pumping to get out toxins.  If you need it, you can not stop us from doing it.  If your life is at stake and depends on a NG tube, your life comes first, not your pouch. Donna Ps this is in the wrong place I meant to put it under your other post.

Thanks, Amy

Amy here is some info that might help you to have on your Med. ID. 1. ALLERGIES TO MEDICATIONS - SO IMPORTANT!! 2. MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING 3. IMPORTANT MEDICAL HISTORY, YOU CAN INCLUDE WLS HERE 4. YOUR NAME & FAMILY CONTACT INFO 5. YOUR PHYSICIAN & CONTACT INFO Info that is wasted space...No NSAIDS (we don't give these)  No Blind NG tubes..more wasted space.  We do not have any other way to insert a NG tube outside of the hospital except to do it "blindly"  It is measured from your ear to our mouth and inserted through your nose to your stomach.  If you need one, you will get it.  Your pouch comes second to your life. Blind entubations (ETT)  tracheal entubations are usually done with a scope unless there is a reason that your vocal cords can not be seen and than it is blindly inserted but will be checked to make sure it isn't in your esophagus prior to inflation. If an ETT has to be inserted blindly, you really need it bad and you aren't conscious anyway.  Unless you have a DNR in place, you cannot stop us.  Again your life comes first. I hope this helps. Donna (EMT)

Thanks Donna, This is very helpful information. Amy