The outdoors provides plenty of opportunities for recreational activities like backpacking, camping, and boating, but secluded environments come with their own risks. For one, you are far from civilization where the nearest help could be hours or even days away. In dire circumstances, being properly prepared could mean the difference between life and death.
There are several things you can do in order to improve the chances of your survival. Be sure to let friends and family know when and where you are going. Pack all essential items including a first aid kit, and one of the items you might consider including is an emergency medical card.
Emergency medical cards act like identification in that they provide important information to medical personnel in the case of life-threatening situations. It is always advantageous if the people around you know what medical conditions you have so they know how to respond. For example, if a backpacking buddy has a seizure on the trail, you need to know what to do.
Emergency medical cards can be obtained in many places, or you could create your own. Important information to provide on emergency medical cards involve:
- Personal Information – Your full name, address, date of birth, phone number, insurance provider, and policy number if you do not have that information readily available in your wallet
- Emergency Contacts – The name, contact information, and the relationship to a close friend or family member. This person needs to be someone you trust. It is also helpful to have more than one person as your emergency contact in case the first one is not available.
- Physician Information – Your primary care physician and his or her contact information should also be on your emergency medical card. On top of that, you might consider listing your preferred hospital. It might not matter in an emergency medical situation but you can still have that information available to first responders.
- Existing Medical Conditions – List your existing medical conditions as well as any medical conditions you have had in the past.
- Allergies – List any medications or other substances that you are allergic to.
- Medications/Supplements – List any medications or supplements that you are currently taking, how much you are taking, and how often you take them. Be sure that you bring enough of your medications for your trip and then some.
If you don’t feel comfortable creating an emergency medical card and carrying it with you, there are other options available. Medical ID jewelry can be worn on your body, and these can alert others that you have specific medical conditions.