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What Is a Vial of Life?

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.

What is a vial of life?

Purchasing the right vial of life

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.

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Strategically placing your vial of life

Naturally, simply owning such vial of life sets won’t do you any good unless they are kept in key points around your house. This is where the large number of stickers and pockets will come in handy. Magnetized pouches can be put on refrigerators, cabinet doors or any large metallic surface that is in plain sight. Traveling bags are smaller so they can fit in your car’s glove storage or on your luggage. Try thinking with the head of a medical responder who will be in a hurry: if they enter your house, where would they look first? But don’t worry even if you aren’t very good at hide and seek: most vial of life packages come with stickers indicating the correct location – so just place the sticker on the windscreen or the front door.

Medical alert systems for full peace of mind

The vial of life and medical alert systems form the perfect combination, like Laurel and Hardy. As seen with Bay Alarm Medical, companies often sell one alongside the other or even grant it for free in special occasions. But, most importantly, the monitoring agents can speak for you even if you are unable to communicate or call the paramedics. The staff acts like a personalized vial of life, since they have access to all your relevant information on file and they share key details with the dispatched medical team over the phone. No matter which option you choose, the correct treatment is assured.


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