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Yellow Dot Program for Emergencies

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Posted 8/10/2014 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
I heard a radio host mention my state's Yellow Dot Program, where you put a small yellow dot in the rear window of your car which alerts emergency responders to look in your glove box for important papers. It sounds good for many of us who have complex medical needs. I checked it out, and indeed it's for real. The kit is available by just going to the state's dept of transportation website - or google Yellow Dot Program.

The program is national. There's even a key tag. You put a small picture of yourself on the information so responders will know which person it belongs to.

I'd be careful what information I put into the package.
Posted 8/10/2014 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I've never heard of this before. Always something new to learn.

It sounds a lot like the medical alert bracelets. I like that it's blatant, but at the same time, that's what would, for me anyway, concern me a bit....that I'm advertising information publically about my health, medications, physical limitations, etc.?









M.
Posted 8/11/2014 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Well, there would only be what information you put in your glove box. I would stick with conditions that need to be known by rescuers, names of medications you need if x happens ....

For me, I would put in that if I have any pain it will trigger autonomic dysreflexia, which means that my blood pressure will skyrocket in minutes and can cause stroke. I have to be sat up, not laid down, which is what they would do to me if they didn't have this information. I would need blood pressure medication and monitoring every 5 minutes at least. There's nothing in that information anyone would want to steal.

There apparently is no money for advertising the program, according to the radio host. That's why we haven't heard of it. I hope something of this can be put into the top-of-the-page threads. Ridiculous that the government works to make a nice, free program and doesn't let us know about it! At least the thieves don't know about it either. But the responders have been informed!

I am looking for the right bracelet too, one where I can print on it my needed treatment. Most have only tiny spaces, one side, limited to 17 characters, 2 lines. I have a card in my wallet and a page in my plastic folio in my purse. I'm getting a couple of small reactions a day, maybe because of extra pain from this ratstew shingles.
Posted 8/11/2014 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds good other then being careful with what info you put in there! I actually have something similar, sticker in window, only you find a box with a small flash drive, instructions to go to the App on my phone, and a copy of my living will and donor status. All pertinent info is on the flash drive including scans, xrays, and surgical reports along with medications. It's safe and easy to add or change something, pop it in the computer add a new test result or take off a med.

I think it's important that we all have something especially given the types of meds many of us are on as well as allergic to.
Posted 8/11/2014 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
After being in a major car accident a few months ago I was all set to purchase a USB bracelet for emergency situations. I called the local ambulance, local ER and then a large trauma center nearby and all three places told me they had no experience with the USB devices and would not use that for emergency info. Until they become more widely used, I would stick to something like this.
Posted 8/12/2014 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I tried looking up the yellow dot program on my state's dot website (WI), but found nothing about it. Do all states have it? And if so, are all first responders taught about it?

What about something like the Medic alert program? I realize it can get a bit expensive, but I'm just wondering if that is something that first responders and/or ER staff will use? Will they call the number on the bracelet or whatever to get information about me? I have been thinking about this program or something similar for months. I just want to be sure that I go with a program that I can update often, and that I can put quite a bit of info into. I have several chronic medical conditions, med allergies, and I'm on about 20 different meds. I currently carry an up-to-date med list with important medical info/phone #s in my purse at all times, but I still worry that there's a good chance they won't go digging around my purse in case there's medical info in there. I just want to feel safe and make it as easy as possible for someone to find important medical info if something happens to me.

Thoughts?
Posted 8/12/2014 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alice, maybe I missed it but I couldn't find what Stae you are from. Would you mind letting me know because googling it did I work for me. I'm from NM . . . Q
Posted 8/12/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Never mind Alice, I re-googled it and came up with the Natl. Plan this time. It does sound like a good idea. I do have a question, does the info form have a space for what meds you are on. As a cancer patient I take more than the usual 4-6 Percocets a day, If anybody wants to know my dosage strength it's in my profile. Being denied this dosage would throw me into withdrawals and I'm sure that would complicate recovery procedures . . . Q
Posted 8/12/2014 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Check with you city, county and state law enforcement and also your local organization that has resources for Seniors. There are some programs that are local. The Sheriffs Dept where I live has a File of Life program. Senior citizens can receive a free file that alerts medics of their current prescriptions and medical history. Even though it says Seniors, it also applies to the disabled.

You can also make up your own. But, the info is easier for the emergency medical personel to read if they are famiiar with how it is laid out in the document. It is for those who have chronic health conditions and are often alone so the medical people can quickly access the critical info.

Put, Yellow Dot Program for Emergencies, in goggle. The states that have it should come up individually.

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 8/12/2014 12:41:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/12/2014 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Here's what the file looks like:
ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/Press/YellowDot/YellowDotInstructions3.pdf


I think we could make a yellow dot for the window ourselves and print out this form to keep in the glove box.

I think my state is a little behind asking us to call for this thing to be sent to us. I can find a yellow folder at a dollar store to put it in.
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