In any emergent situation, you want to give your first responders the best opportunity to assist you. Now, your iPhone is going to help you. iPhone is equipped with an emergency medical ID APP that is accessible to emergency responders even if you have a lock code on your phone.
Before I go any further you need to consider something before filling this out. Once filled out this information will be very helpful to police, ambulance technicians, fireman, and hospital workers BUT you also have to consider that ANY savvy iPhone user can easily access this personal information. You should think through the repercussions of that before you fill it out. If you don’t want a nosy aunt Sally knowing about a certain medication you have to take for a certain unfortunate condition you have then you may want to be careful what you enter into your Medical ID. For me, the risk of my cousin knowing I am on thyroid meds is less worrisome than my ambulance driver knowing I am deathly allergic to SULFA drugs. I filled mine out.
Now that you considered and have decided to fill out your medical alert information on your iPhone here is the super quick way to do it.
- Unlock your screen and look for the app with the red heart in the middle. It comes standard on all iPhones.
- Once pressed you will see “medical ID” icon in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Press the “Medical ID” icon and it will take you to a screen to fill out your medical information
- Fill out information as thoroughly as you can.
- To double check functionality, go back to your lock screen. Swipe right. It will take you to your lock code.
- Press “emergency” in the bottom left-hand corner
- Moment of truth. The “Medical ID” in the bottom left-hand corner should be lit up red (because you have put information in there) and when you press it, it will bring up the information you filled out.
- This is how emergency responders will get to your information even if they don’t know your lock code.
Don’t have an IPhone? Many people fill out their pertinent medical info such as allergies and medications in a notes section on their phone. They then take a photo of that list and make it their lock screen. This is another way, albeit a little more public, that responders can best help you by knowing key information.
[Tweet “This Three Minutes Could Save Your Life – The iPhone Medical ID”]
Want to see the process in action?
Right now take one minute to fill out your medical ID on your phone. If you already have completed it double check the information to make sure everything is up to date.
If you liked this post you will need emergency help for these!
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38 Responses
YES! My mom was a paramedic (she just retired) and she used to stress this to us all of the time. It was the #1 thing she made us do when we got new phones. She’d call to check in on me (we live about 6 states apart) and she’d always ask, “Did you set your Emergency info yet?” and then remind me how terrible Atlanta traffic is and that it could save my life one day.
I love this, Ashley! I am glad this is useful!! 🙂
This is so important! I only recently discovered this feature on my iPhone. Once I found out about it, I filled in all of the important contact information right away. Thanks for alerting the masses about this safety feature. Everyone should use it!
So glad you think so, Heidi. I wasn’t sure what people would think. I am glad the comments have been encouraging. 🙂
Great info!!! Sharing!
Thanks, Sue! Pass it around. It is so important!
I never knew this was in my iPhone! Thanks!
Good! I am glad that you got to learn something new (i love those days) and so important today! xo
Everyone needs to do this! Having worked in s ER, the worst is treating someone you have no information on.
I agree, Christy. Thanks for affirming this from the side of the responder. And thanks for doing what you do!
What an interesting app. I don’t have an iphone but have been in a few situations where using the injured persons finger print helped me break into their phone to call their spouses. It was super handy and one of my favorite things about some of the new technology out there.
A few situations? That is really crazy! Thank God you thought to do that!
Doing this right now. Thank you!
Well done Travel Pockets!!
This is awesome! I have never heard about this before. Do you know if there is a similar app for an android? I don’t have an iphone.
I don’t think there is right now, Bethany. But the idea of putting something on your lock screen could work. Especially have you have severe allergies or conditions worth noting. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for spreading the word! I did this, I have medical issues and allergies so it’s extra important.
It totally is, Lisa! Good work!
You basically convinced me to do this! I thought about it for a while but I guess I still feel weird putting personal info in my phone, but I can see how helpful it would be!
It is a cost-benefit thing, right? I think it is more important I am saved in the moment that allowing my health info to get out there. And, you can just put the really important stuff!
That’s awesome I had no idea! I’m majorly allergic to penicillin so I will definitely be filling this out!
I know, it is so great to have this available now!
I have been getting lots of good response. Make sure all of you take a minute today to fill this out! 🙂
Just checking to see that my comments section is working! Please disregard this response. 🙂
Hmm. Let’s see if my new comments section works!
Let’s see if my comments section is working.
Love this function on the iphone!!!
Me too Casey! I have to change mine back from “random Person” on the video (Didn’t want to give the whole world my health information)
I like the picture idea on the lock screen with the emergency contact and important medical information. Thank you Dr Heather
You are welcome Lovely, Claudia. I am glad you found this helpful!
I have an android so Idk if I have this feature, but I do keep one of those one of those old school cards in my car and wallet of emergency people to call. I don’t have any major allergies to medication. I just have superficial allergies like “cats” and orange juice lol hopefully I don’t ever end up at a hospital where their form of treatment is rubbing a cat on me lol
That is good too, Dia. You might want to also tape onto the back of your phone. Seems like First Responders are going straight tot the phone these days for the information.
I had no idea this existed! I’m doing this now!
Good work, Heather!
Please share this info if you feel it is appropriate!
Thanks for sharing this information. I will definitely download this app.
Good work Allan, You’ll like it. It’s practical and functional like the stuff you post! I love your stuff!