Personal Emergency Card

Be Prepared for Any Emergency

Emergency cards may not be a fun topic, but it’s an important one! I think these things are super helpful to have handy if or when you may have an emergency situation and need to get medical care for yourself or loved one.

You should have a conversation with someone willing to be your health or wellness advocate, aka emergency contact. This will likely need to be someone you may give medical POA (Power of Attorney). At a minimum, name them in this document to help you navigate the system for when you may not be able to represent yourself properly due to a medical situation you may be dealing with.

The important information to be on this card is as follows:

Name

Date Revised

1. Address
2. DOB
3. Blood Type
4. Email
5. Phone number

Emergency Contacts:

• Name, relationship & phone number

Personal Physicians:

• Names, phone numbers and affiliated hospital.

Medical Conditions:

Medications or supplements currently taking and dosage:

Any known Allergies / Other Pertinent Info

1. Medicines
2. Foods
3. Others

Get your card here

Do you have a medical POA?

If so carry a copy of the document, or have a scanned copy saved to on online resources such as iCloud or dropbox

Do you have a medical directive? Living Will? Organ Donor?

If so carry a copy of the document, or have a scanned copy saved to an online resource such as iCloud or dropbox.

Any additional information that would be helpful such as:

• If you live by yourself do you have any pets that are home that need taking care of?
• If so, how many, what are they, and do you have someone that can be contacted to provide care for them? Family, friend, neighbor or kennel?
• What do they eat, how much and how often?
• Does someone have a key or access to your home?
• Do you have an alarm system? If so, who has access or a code to arm and disarm should it be necessary to enter your home?
• Keep a small bag of change of clothing that you may want brought to you should you need to be hospitalized.

Please remember to keep this information updated and give a copy to anyone that maybe your advocate aka emergency contact should you have a medical emergency. It can mean a world of difference and really, if you expect someone to help you, this information should not be a secret. Being well informed can mean saving your life. 

Helpful Links:

Below are additional forms that you should consider having.

Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive

Pennsylvania Advance Directive Planning for Important Health Care Decisions

(These are links for Pennsylvania residents but you need to grab a copy for your state of residence. You may also contact an attorney that can be sure you have the correct medical forms needed. You would look for a lawyer that does medical planning, wills & estate, etc. Many are affordable and charge a flat fee to prepare the documents. You can however find much of what you need online for free as well).