Medical Alert Bracelet

My  wife pointed out that I needed to make some corrections to my post. I got confused by the American date system which is month/ day/year. (Blame it on my stroke.)

It only took about 3 weeks for the bracelet to arrive and about a further 8 weeks for the replacement silicone band to arrive.

Can anyone recommend any companies that deliver medical bracelets/ parts more promptly ?

Sorry for my earlier mistake.

Hello Ian.

It's great that you have thought about your health and are being proactive in regards to alerting others in the event of a future health issue. I am sorry to hear of the troubles you have had in regards to accessing your medical alert bracelet.  The fact you have been waiting for so long must have been very frustrating for you, especially as you say, it was for a medical purpose.

We could not recommend a specific bracelet for you, as they all differ, and everyone has different expectations of these in regards to comfort, size, look and design.

I hope that perhaps someone else on EnableMe will be able to give you some feedback on others that they have purchased and are comfortable.

There are a number of other providers of Medical Alert Bracelets, but most only have the option of engraving a limited number of characters on the bracelet. There are some options that allow electronic storage options within the bracelet.  Universal Medical Id do supply these, as do Medicalert, but I cannot give you any specific feedback about these.

SOS Talisman also have the option of a medallion that can be attached to a bracelet or necklace, that stores all your information on paper inside the medallion. This allows more space for your medical history or allergies and medication, in addition to your emergency contacts.  Again I am sorry but cannot specifically give you a recommendation but they do ship immediately from Australia and also have an express post option. The medallions usually range between $50-$60 dollars each depending on the material used (stainless steel).

I hope this has been helpful and I am sorry I couldn't give you anything more specific.  Do feel free to give us a call on StrokeLine to talk about this question in more detail. You can reach us on Ph, 1800 787 653 Monday to Friday.

Best wishes

Siobhan (StrokeLine).

Thanks for your helpful suggestions  Siobhan.

I like my bracelet as it gives me a sense of security when I am out. Unfortunately the new replacement silicone band broke after about 10 days use, but am now trialling a new silicone band that I got for $2 from Chemist Warehouse that luckily fitted the engraved stainless steel part that has my medical details engraved, so I am going to trial this option for a while. 

I have a MedicAlert bracelet in silicone with the metal ID information. It is not necessary to list all your conditions on them, just important conditions like allergies, anticoagulants, diabetes, epilepsy or anything you consider really important. The MedicAlert phone number is written on the bracelet along with your membership number. All medical personnel in Australia know to call this number for your full medical details. They also issue a wallet card with ALL your information on it as well. It is recognised internationally. I pay $39 a year for membership (Concession Card holder). The cost of the bracelets vary, but they are around $60 and last for years. I have a stainless steel one as well and the silicone one. I can go online into my account and make adjustments at any time.

Hi Ian

I thought I would mention another option also is your phone, if you happen to carry one. Most of us do these days, I have an iphone which has an Health App on it symbolised by a red love heart. You enter you medical details here, most of it goes into Medical ID section, which I can keep updated. If you were to require medical attention, you can simply show them this screen if conscious, or the medical person attending you simply touches you home button which will ask for passcode or fingerprint, on this screen on the bottom left the word Emergency is visible, they simply touch this with their finger then touch Medical Id and your medical conditions are visible for them to view including contact person. The rehab centre I was treated at help me set this up and most, if not all A&E depts know about this. I have used it once already on a visit to A&E and due to my speech being so bad I handed that across which they promptly entered it all in and I was escorted straight through into an isolation bed. Has worked well for me so far. Hope this is of help to some of you.

Thanks for the useful information Ewen and RenaeE.

Interesting to hear about your experience Ewen. I chose to inscribe medical information in abbreviated form on the stainless steel and it is not monitored like yours. The monitoring does sound good.

The phone app also  sounds really interesting RenaeE for most situations, but fortunately I can still swim in a public pool and wanted to wear the bracelet whilst swimming.

My main issue has been with the silicone band breaking but think I have solved the problem now.

Thanks again,

Ian

Hi Ian 

I also have a medical bracelet, actually two, purchased first one from oz and cost $60 plus dollars, I couldn’t get on with first one as it was a chain even though it was measured it irritated my wrist. Then my dad who lives in uk told me about site he used for his and cost me $24.00 plus $9.00 postage to oz, it a silicon one and has 6 lines on which you can have something wrote on. It has so far been great and lasted 18 months and still going strong and never took it off not even to shower or swim. The company is call theidbandco.com don’t know if this will help probably a little late but only just seen your message, they do replacements bands too and postage time will probably be around 10 days also have to agree with above message on health app I have that too on iPhone so medical practitioners can get my information when ever.

all the best beth