alert braceletsFor people with life-threatening or chronic illnesses, information that they have those medical issues can be critical during an emergency.  A patient who suffers from heart disease may not get the proper treatment after a car accident if first responders are unaware of the condition or someone with diabetes may not get immediate attention if they faint in a public location. Alert bracelets are the best way for first responders to know when someone has an illness or condition that needs special attention. Today, those bracelets are available in many fashionable styles, but some patients are concerned at the message they send, especially in business settings. The answers to these frequently asked questions can put their mind at ease and make them more likely to wear the life-saving bands.

Do First Responders Even Look for Alert Bracelets?

In a recent survey, emergency medical professionals were asked if they looked for medical identification bracelets.  According to 95 percent of the respondents to the survey, first responders look for such alert bracelets when treating those injured in an emergency. More than 75 percent of them look for the bracelets immediately upon arriving on the scene and 95 percent of them look at the patient’s wrist, while only 68 percent check the neck.

Why Do I Need to Wear One?

Some patients feel that their condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, is under control so there is no need to wear anything that identifies them as having the condition. However, during an emergency, a patient may not be able to speak for themselves. alert braceletsBecause symptoms of common ailments in people with pre-existing medical conditions can be misdiagnosed, proper treatment may not be administered. Research indicates that almost 50 percent of medical errors occur during admission or discharge from the hospital and some of those errors are due to medical alert braceletspersonnel being unaware of a pre-existing condition. This is especially important in cases of allergy as a patient could be administered penicillin or other drug that they are allergic to, which could lead to further harm or even death.

How Do I Get My Child to Wear One?

Children are probably the most reluctant to wear an alert bracelet as they don’t want to stand out from other children at school or while playing. Most of the time it is because the traditional alert bracelet is made of metal, which children may find irritating or uncomfortable. Today, an alert bracelet can be found that mimic the silicone bands children wear with band names, inspirational sayings or even for school pride. Because children often wear several of these bands at a time, the alert bracelet is easily hidden among other bands. Even if the child wears only the alert band, it is subtle enough that other children won’t notice, but clear enough that emergency responders will recognize what it is.

What Types of Conditions Require Alert Bracelets?

An alert bracelet can be worn by anyone with any type of medical condition. The bracelets are especially effective for people who suffer from allergies, heart conditions or diabetes. Patients who suffer from asthma or other breathing problems, as well as those who have kidney damage find the bracelets helpful as well. Other conditions where a patient’s life has been saved because they were wearing an alert bracelet are:

    • Use of blood thinners
    • Potential for seizure
    • Hearing or sight impairment
    • Recent surgery or organ transplant
    • Participants in clinical trials
    • People at risk of stroke or with hypertension
    • Sickle cell anemia or other types of anaemia
    • Neurological diseases such as Tourette’s Syndrome
    • Patients with memory impairment such as Alzheimer’s Disease

If you or a loved one suffer from any medical condition that a first responder should know during an emergency, an alert bracelet could be a life saver, especially if the patient is unable to speak due to unconsciousness or other factors. Visit Mediband today to see their collection of unique, stylish alert bracelets that anyone would be comfortable wearing. Your life or theirs may depend on it.