What Information Should Be Included in an Emergency?

In the event of an emergency and you are found unconscious or incoherent, there are certain pieces of health information you should have on hand that would be helpful to rescuers. Keep a health information card handy that has your basic identifying information, as well as specific information on medical conditions and other medical needs.

An emergency health information card lets rescuers know important details about you in the event you are found unconscious or incoherent. 

Prepare a card with the information below. Make copies of the card and keep a copy in your emergency supply kit, your car, at work, your wallet or purse (behind your driver’s license or primary identification card), your wheelchair pack, etc.

Information that should be included in an emergency health information card includes: 

• Basic identifying information
  • Information on the front of the card:
    • Name 
    • Street address 
    • City, state, zip 
    • Phone (cell, home, work) 
    • Birth date 
    • Blood type 
    • Social security no. 
    • Health insurance carrier and individual and group # 
    • Physicians' names
  • Information on the back of the card:
    • Emergency contacts 
    • Medical conditions or disability such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory conditions, HIV positive 
      • Include additional information that might help rescuers in an emergency
        • "Due to a head injury, I may appear drunk. I'm not!”
        • “My psychiatric disability may cause me to become confused. I should be fine in about 10 minutes if left in a quiet area. If not, give me one (name of medication) green pill, located in my (purse, wallet, pocket, etc.)." 
        • "I take (name of medication) and my blood level needs to be checked every ______." 
        • "I react to/am allergic to... and my reaction is... do this...." 
    • Medications 
      • If medication you take cannot be interrupted without serious consequences, state this and include and include details such as:
        • Prescriptions 
        • Dosage 
        • Times taken 
        • Other details regarding specifics of administration/regimen
        • Pharmacy contact information where prescriptions are filled
    • Assistance needed 
      • "I need help with: walking, eating, standing, dressing, transferring, etc." and details on how help can be given
    • Allergies and sensitivities to medications, foods, insect bites, sun exposure, or anything else that causes sickness, a skin reaction, or other reactions 
    • Immunization history and dates 
    • Specific communication needs or speech-related disability
      • “I am not fluent in English and I will need an interpreter." 
      • “I speak slowly and my speech may not be clear. Be patient and ask me to repeat or spell out what I am saying if you cannot understand me." 
      • "I use a word board, augmentative communication device, artificial larynx, etc., to communicate. I can point to words and letters or write notes to communicate." 
      • "I may have difficulty with comprehension. Please speak slowly and use simple language." 
      • " I am deaf and my primary language is ASL (American Sign Language).” 
    • Equipment/other needs 
      • Motorized wheelchair 
      • Suction machine 
      • Home dialysis 
      • Respirator 

A simple Emergency Contact Card form is available via the American Red Cross. It is not as detailed as above but you can add relevant information as you see fit.