Medical Identification Jewelry
Wearing a piece of medical identification jewelry could prove life-saving in a serious medical situation or disaster. Without this helpful item, it's impossible to know if a stranger has a special condition or a medicinal allergy. This can definitely keep a person from helping in a life or death situation, but the Bible says "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2). By wearing something with this information on it, an EMT, physician, or just about anyone can know the person's situation immediately. With this important knowledge displayed right on the individual, the appropriate care can be administered. More and more people are wearing something to identify one's health needs because it's proving to be a major help in dangerous situations.
When imagining this type of identifier, people tend to picture the ugly, plastic bands that hospitals assign to patients. However, these bands are quite different. Various styles of medical id bracelets are now available in silver or gold. While some pieces are worn around the neck or wrist, others are made for looping in shoelaces or pinning to purses. Sometimes it's hard to tell these items apart from any other piece of jewelry. Yet, there is one major feature that separates this type from any other. A bracelet or necklace which includes allergy or illness information will always have a medical alert symbol on it or attached on a charm. This symbol can be in several colors, including white, red, and black. It looks like an asterisk with a pole in the center. A snake is wrapped around this pole, climbing it. This is what EMTs or physicians will look for on medical ID bracelets.
Those people suffering from a serious health condition or allergy may want to consider getting this form of jewelry. It's recommended for people with conditions varying from Asthma to Visual Impairment. The need for displaying health information is especially dire in the case of children. Young children can't always communicate to others what their allergies or conditions are. Some kids may have life-threatening allergies to things as common as milk or peanuts. Others may suffer from Diabetes or seizures, or they may want to make others aware that they are on a certain prescribed medication. Many prominent health associations and foundations recommend wearing some form of medical identification jewelry. It's a very important way to avoid simple mistakes or misdiagnoses in the midst of an emergency.
Bracelets or necklaces can include just about any information necessary. Wearers will want to include the most important information and a number to contact in case of an emergency. To have this engraved, simply request "I.C.E." for In Case of Emergency and include the phone number with area code separated by periods rather than dashes. Any medicinal allergy, such as one to Penicillin, would definitely be important to include on medical ID bracelets. The fact that a person needs an oral medication for their condition could be included. Overall, it's best to include what an EMT needs to know in an emergency situation. Abbreviate as much as possible if there is too much information to fit on the provided lines. Physicians can offer recommendations and even make suggestions about what needs to be included in the engraving. Contacting the customer service line for a bracelet or necklace retailer can also be helpful to those who want to purchase medical identification jewelry.
The style, retailer, type of metal, and amount of engraving are all factors that come into play when pricing medical ID necklaces or bracelets. A simple necklace could be purchased for as little as $13.00 plus shipping. Other necklaces or bracelets can cost upwards of $400 because they are specially made in 14K gold. No matter the price, most retailers will offer plenty of choices regarding the number of lines and characters to be engraved. Even the color and specific look of the alert symbol can vary. Other options can include choice of size, name engraving, crystal beads, and even specialty charms in many shapes. Some people even have medical ID bracelets that double as watches.
The greatest variety of styles and retailers can be found on the Internet. This is also an easy place to compare prices right from home. Be sure that the seller is reputable and has no complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Look at customer testimonies, note how long the retailer has been in business, and read their return policy. Many specially made pieces are non-refundable. Medical identification jewelry can also be purchased locally. A great benefit to this is being able to see the product in person and get a feel for what to expect from the purchase. Often physicians and hospitals will have their own contacts for these products. Friends and family can also make recommendations for local and Internet retailers.
Not only is buying this form of identification important, it's important to care for the bracelet or necklace and always wear it. A medical emergency or accident could happen at any moment. It's extremely vital to be prepared. Medical identification jewelry needs to be visible and easy to access at all times. In cold weather, some people will place their necklaces on the outside of their coats. Others will wear it even when swimming or showering. Therefore, the piece should be strong and water-resistant. Most pieces will wear out over time, no matter what they're made of. Depending on the type of metal, it's wise to replace the medical ID at least every five to ten years. Regardless, it should definitely be changed every time a medical condition changes.
When imagining this type of identifier, people tend to picture the ugly, plastic bands that hospitals assign to patients. However, these bands are quite different. Various styles of medical id bracelets are now available in silver or gold. While some pieces are worn around the neck or wrist, others are made for looping in shoelaces or pinning to purses. Sometimes it's hard to tell these items apart from any other piece of jewelry. Yet, there is one major feature that separates this type from any other. A bracelet or necklace which includes allergy or illness information will always have a medical alert symbol on it or attached on a charm. This symbol can be in several colors, including white, red, and black. It looks like an asterisk with a pole in the center. A snake is wrapped around this pole, climbing it. This is what EMTs or physicians will look for on medical ID bracelets.
Those people suffering from a serious health condition or allergy may want to consider getting this form of jewelry. It's recommended for people with conditions varying from Asthma to Visual Impairment. The need for displaying health information is especially dire in the case of children. Young children can't always communicate to others what their allergies or conditions are. Some kids may have life-threatening allergies to things as common as milk or peanuts. Others may suffer from Diabetes or seizures, or they may want to make others aware that they are on a certain prescribed medication. Many prominent health associations and foundations recommend wearing some form of medical identification jewelry. It's a very important way to avoid simple mistakes or misdiagnoses in the midst of an emergency.
Bracelets or necklaces can include just about any information necessary. Wearers will want to include the most important information and a number to contact in case of an emergency. To have this engraved, simply request "I.C.E." for In Case of Emergency and include the phone number with area code separated by periods rather than dashes. Any medicinal allergy, such as one to Penicillin, would definitely be important to include on medical ID bracelets. The fact that a person needs an oral medication for their condition could be included. Overall, it's best to include what an EMT needs to know in an emergency situation. Abbreviate as much as possible if there is too much information to fit on the provided lines. Physicians can offer recommendations and even make suggestions about what needs to be included in the engraving. Contacting the customer service line for a bracelet or necklace retailer can also be helpful to those who want to purchase medical identification jewelry.
The style, retailer, type of metal, and amount of engraving are all factors that come into play when pricing medical ID necklaces or bracelets. A simple necklace could be purchased for as little as $13.00 plus shipping. Other necklaces or bracelets can cost upwards of $400 because they are specially made in 14K gold. No matter the price, most retailers will offer plenty of choices regarding the number of lines and characters to be engraved. Even the color and specific look of the alert symbol can vary. Other options can include choice of size, name engraving, crystal beads, and even specialty charms in many shapes. Some people even have medical ID bracelets that double as watches.
The greatest variety of styles and retailers can be found on the Internet. This is also an easy place to compare prices right from home. Be sure that the seller is reputable and has no complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Look at customer testimonies, note how long the retailer has been in business, and read their return policy. Many specially made pieces are non-refundable. Medical identification jewelry can also be purchased locally. A great benefit to this is being able to see the product in person and get a feel for what to expect from the purchase. Often physicians and hospitals will have their own contacts for these products. Friends and family can also make recommendations for local and Internet retailers.
Not only is buying this form of identification important, it's important to care for the bracelet or necklace and always wear it. A medical emergency or accident could happen at any moment. It's extremely vital to be prepared. Medical identification jewelry needs to be visible and easy to access at all times. In cold weather, some people will place their necklaces on the outside of their coats. Others will wear it even when swimming or showering. Therefore, the piece should be strong and water-resistant. Most pieces will wear out over time, no matter what they're made of. Depending on the type of metal, it's wise to replace the medical ID at least every five to ten years. Regardless, it should definitely be changed every time a medical condition changes.
Medical Identification Jewelry
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Reviewed by Anonymous
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