What Is a Vial of Life?

During a medical emergency well-informed decisions mark the difference between life and death. The person responding during such a crisis should know everything about the patient’s allergies and relevant medical conditions: does he have a pacemaker? What is her blood type? Are they taking any medication? Unfortunately the patient isn’t always capable of answering these questions, while family members are often left shrugging their shoulders. In order to avoid delaying the treatment – or triggering a fatal reaction – people with serious medical conditions are prompted to use a vial of life. It’s a medical information form that is pre-filled to help the work of the arriving paramedics. From allergies to disabilities, everything can be mentioned here, even a list of family members or caregivers that need to be contacted. The form is slipped into a bag, pocket or pouch and set up at a good spot close to the entrance.

The vial of life is undoubtedly useful, but where can you get one? We highly recommend resisting the urge of ordering a cheap version from a dubious site just to save a couple of pennies. The vial of life is more than just a sheet of paper slipped into a nylon bag. The document should cover all the important aspects the first responder might need and the storing pouch must inform people of its purpose at first glance. Bay Alarm Medical, for instance, provides a kit free of a charge with every new medical alert system, including the medical sheet and a durable plastic sleeve with a magnetic strip. On the other hand, the StoreSMART Emergency Medical Information Variety Pack presents more than one vial of life pouch, so you can keep one in your car as well.