Getting sick while you are on a trip is not only a drag, but it can be downright frightening – even life threatening – especially when you don’t have an excellent command of the language.
I know exactly how frightening and frustrating it is not to be able to communicate properly with a doctor after getting a horrific infection in Mexico some years ago that very nearly cost me my leg. A big part of the problem was that I couldn’t explain exactly what had happened and the cause wasn’t perfectly obvious – so it wasn’t treated properly right from the start.
And accidents do happen.
Ed and I were in a bus crash in Morocco years ago, I saw a guy break his neck in a swimming pool in Jamaica and another fellow have a heart attack in a restaurant in Spain.
Getting to a hospital emergency room in an unconcious state and having no one to speak for you puts you at even more risk if you suffer from any of the health conditions listed below.
- Diabetes
- Cardiac problems and implants (angina, atrial fibrillation, pacemakers)
- Treatment with anticoagulants (warfarin)
- Drug allergies
- Food allergies (such as peanut)
- Insect allergies (such as bee stings)
- Alzheimer’s disease, memory impairments
- Hypertension
- Stroke risk
- Pulmonary conditions (asthma, COPD)
- Kidney failure
- Emphysema, breathing disorders
- Anemia, blood disorders
- Epilepsy, seizure disorders
- Hearing, visual or mental impairments
- Children with special needs (Autism)
- Tourette Syndrome
- Surgery, transplant and cancer patients
- Clinical trial participation
- People taking multiple medicines
- Rare disease/Blood Type
- Sickle Cell Anemia
If you have any of the conditions listed above, you should already be wearing a medical ID bracelet (or necklace.. or watch) at all times… and not just when you’re on vacation.
Remember, your travel companion who does speak the language may be in a similar state in the room down the hall — so don’t count on anyone but yourself and your medical ID bracelet!
Here’s a comment from Marva C .Vallejo, California about her medical ID bracelet:
I was pretty dazed in the ambulance, but I was still able to point the EMT to my bracelet. When she read it, she said, ‘You are a very smart woman to wear this’.
No kidding.
And medical professionals DO look for medical ID bracelets.
A recent survey of emergency medical professionals, including EMTs and paramedics, in the U.S. found that more that 95 percent of repondents look for a medical ID during emergencies, with 95 percent looking at the patient’s wrist to find a medical ID and 68 percent looking for an ID on the patient’s neck. (Hint: Get the bracelet!)
Furthermore, doctors and healthcare organizations throughout the world recommend wearing medical IDs including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Word Health Organization.
Please – don’t even think about travelling abroad without this most basic form of insurance. A medical ID bracelet could very well save your life! Prices start as low as $26.00 and discounts are available if you order more than one.
American Medical ID processes orders within 2-3 weeks. Should you need your medical ID sooner, you may choose Rush processing. In that case, your medical ID will be made and posted as quickly as the next business day via the delivery means you choose.
Get your American Medical ID today! The service is available to both Canadians and Americans.