About Medical Alert System Jewelry

An individual may not be comfortable walking around telling everyone about her medical condition. She may be at a mall, for example, where she doesn't know a soul. The shoppers and retail clerks at the mall would be unaware that the person has a seizure disorder. If something were to happen and the individual passed out, the bystanders could call the paramedics. The paramedics would arrive and notice the medical alert jewelry. The individual can't speak if she is having a seizure, so the medical alert jewelry provides a medical history or important medical notes that the paramedics would need to know to treat the patient properly. The medical alert jewelry should be worn at all times.

All medical alert jewelry has a either a red cross on the front or the official medical alert symbol. This symbol is a snake wrapped around a staff. These two symbols are widely recognized, which makes them identifiable to almost anyone. These symbols are engraved on what looks like a dog tag. On the underside of the tag is where you will find the specific information about the person. This could be a few words such as "Diabetic" or "Down Syndrome." It may also be more specific and list a bunch of allergies. The underside of the medical jewelry could also list the medications the person is currently taking. This will keep the doctors from overdosing the patient or ordering them a drug that cause reactions when used with medications the person is already taking.

Medical alert jewelry consists of the basic dog tag with information. The features are in the rest of the jewelry. For example, a medical alert bracelet will have interchangeable sides and a medical alert necklace may have an interchangeable chain. There are bracelets for children (see resources) that are more fashionable so that they don't draw too much negative attention from other kids. Adults usually have to choose from either a silver or gold bracelet or necklace.

Children's bracelets begin at $39.95. The rest of the pricing is determined by how much engraving needs to be done. It costs $6 for one line of engraving. Shipping and handling will also be added. The average shipping cost for a medical bracelet is $6. Adult medical alert jewelry is more expensive than the children's. You can buy an inexpensive piece for $41. This is a very basic bracelet. Some pieces cost as much as $300. Adults also have the option of just purchasing a pendant with their information on it. They can slide the pendant on their own chain to make a necklace.

Don't rely on the medical alert jewelry to give a full history to a nurse or doctor. You should have someone that knows your whole history that can be contacted for more information. You may even want to include their phone number on your medical tag with the phrase "contact for more info." If you can't do this, include their name and number in your purse or wallet. During an emergency these items will be checked, so the emergency workers will find it.