www'medicalert'org'uk

1

Years 7-10 Lesson The MedicAlert Foundation

• www.medicalert.org.uk

2

• MedicAlert is
• The only registered Charity providing emergency
  medical identification
• Founded in the UK in 1964
• 290,000 Members in UK Ireland
• Free/sponsored Membership available to people who
  cant afford the 25 annual membership

3
What is emergency medical identification?

• Some people have hidden medical conditions,
  allergies or advance wishes about their care.
• Emergency identification means that people can
  carry this information around with them on a
  bracelet, sports band, watch or neklet.
• Some information is engraved on the back of the
  Emblem.
• More information can be retrieved by calling the
  emergency line number, also engraved on the back
  of the Emblem.

4
Most common Medical conditions of Members
5
Who would look at a MedicAlert Emblem?

• Ambulance Staff
• Doctors and Nurses
• GPs
• Pharmacists
• Dentists
• Police
• Fire-fighters
• First Aiders
• ANYONE ASSISTING SOMEONE WEARING AN EMBLEM IN AN
  EMERGENCY

6
MedicAlert Emblems

• All have the International symbol for medicine on
  the front a snake wrapped around a staff
• Come in the form of bracelets, necklets, sports
  bands and watches

7
What does the reverse of the MedicAlert Emblem
look like?
8
Case study Desmond, 32 year old man with
Epilepsy and Asthma

• Diagnosed with Epilepsy as a 3 year old
• He wore a bracelet from the age of 10 with his
  conditions on the back
• When Desmond was 29 he had a seizure while he was
  driving and crashed his car
• The ambulance came, saw his Emblem and knew about
  his conditions. They treated him immediately for
  his hidden conditions and his injuries and called
  his family to let them know what had happened
• His Emblem may have saved his life

9
Case study Becky,15 year old with diabetes

• Becky was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the
  age of 5. She wore a kids band MedicAlert Emblem
  every day throughout primary school and her
  parents bought her a silver bracelet Emblem when
  she moved to secondary school.
• Becky was running late for school one morning
  last year and didnt have time to eat breakfast.
  
• Later that morning Becky fainted in her Geography
  lesson.
• Beckys geography teacher didnt know about
  MedicAlert, but Beckys best friend told him
  about her bracelet and he turned it over and knew
  immediately that she was diabetic.

10

• Beckys teacher knew how serious it was for a
  diabetic to collapse so called an ambulance and
  told the paramedics about her Emblem.
• The paramedics called the emergency line and got
  her details while they were on their way to the
  school, and called Beckys mum using the
  information from her file.
• Beckys mum told them that Becky hadnt eaten
  breakfast that morning.
• When the paramedics arrived they were able to
  treat Becky immediately with the glucose that she
  needed to come round.
• Becky felt much better and was able to stay at
  school for the rest of the day. She was very
  glad that she didnt have to go to hospital.

11
What can you do?

• Wear an Emblem if you have a hidden
  medical condition or allergy.
• Recommend wearing an Emblem to
  friends or family.
• If you ever come across someone in an emergency
  situation, check their wrists and neck for
  an Emblem. If you find one tell one of the
  emergency professionals when they arrive.

12

• Any questions?
• For further information, please go to the
  website
• www.medicalert.org.uk
• or contact
• 0800 581 420
• info_at_medicalert.org.uk