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What is a Medical Aid Bracelet?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A medical aid bracelet, or MedicAlert bracelet, is a piece of jewelry which provides basic information about medical conditions which you may have. In a medical emergency, a medical aid bracelet can help health care providers, ensuring that they offer the best care possible and possibly saving valuable time. Many companies produce medical aid jewelry in a range of styles designed to be worn by men and women and on various body parts including wrists and necks. Even if you have no prevailing medical conditions, it can help to wear a medical aid bracelet, simply to alert medical personnel to the fact that you have no known health problems.

There may be situations in which you are unable to speak for yourself because you are unconscious or seriously incapacitated. In these instances, someone may not always be available to answer crucial questions from medical personnel. This is when a medical aid bracelet is extremely useful, because it ensures that basic information like your name, known allergies, and known medical conditions is instantly accessible for medical personnel.

A medical aid bracelet can provide medical information to paramedics during an emergency.
A medical aid bracelet can provide medical information to paramedics during an emergency.

Known allergies can be very important, as a wide variety of drugs and tools may be used to help you if you are seriously injured. Knowing that you are allergic to penicillin, dairy, or other substances can ensure that you are given the best possible treatment. Being aware of conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and so forth is also important, as it may partially explain your medical condition, or require that additional treatments be used.

Paramedics are taught to look for medical aid bracelets on patients experiencing seizures.
Paramedics are taught to look for medical aid bracelets on patients experiencing seizures.

A medical aid bracelet may also contain information about your blood type and implanted medical devices, along with the presence of communicable diseases such as AIDS. No one will deny care to you because of information on a medical aid bracelet, but additional caution may be used to protect emergency services personnel. A medical aid bracelet can also serve as an identification bracelet, ensuring that family members or friends are quickly notified about your condition.

Medical aid bracelets can give emergency personnel an idea of any pre-existing conditions.
Medical aid bracelets can give emergency personnel an idea of any pre-existing conditions.

If you want to order a medical aid bracelet, a number of companies offer their services online, or through doctor's offices. You may want to ask your doctor about what you should include on a medical aid bracelet. Many companies also offer discounts on multiple bracelets, if you want a range of styles to choose from to ensure that your medical aid bracelet coordinates with other jewelry and clothes that you might be wearing. It is possible to be stylish and practical, for people who are concerned that a medical aid bracelet might look or feel awkward.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • A medical aid bracelet can provide medical information to paramedics during an emergency.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A medical aid bracelet can provide medical information to paramedics during an emergency.
    • Paramedics are taught to look for medical aid bracelets on patients experiencing seizures.
      By: Monkey Business
      Paramedics are taught to look for medical aid bracelets on patients experiencing seizures.
    • Medical aid bracelets can give emergency personnel an idea of any pre-existing conditions.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Medical aid bracelets can give emergency personnel an idea of any pre-existing conditions.
    • Children with asthma or chronic respiratory issues may wear medical aid bracelets to ensure first responders and clinic staff are aware of their condition.
      By: dmitrimaruta
      Children with asthma or chronic respiratory issues may wear medical aid bracelets to ensure first responders and clinic staff are aware of their condition.
    • Sufferers of asthma may benefit from wearing a medical aid bracelet.
      By: Ilike
      Sufferers of asthma may benefit from wearing a medical aid bracelet.
    • A medical aid bracelet may be helpful for patients who are allergic to dairy.
      By: Lsantilli
      A medical aid bracelet may be helpful for patients who are allergic to dairy.