Emergencies happen suddenly and without warning - and it’s only natural for us to feel helpless in these situations. But what if there are important medical details and emergency contact information that could be used to help you? Or even just to identify you?
In this article, we’ll be explaining how to keep your medical information on hand in case of an emergency. We’ll also share a document to print out and keep handy at home and/or in your wallet. The document is designed to be accessed by family or emergency services, much like phone medical IDs.

Smartphone technology is advancing so quickly these days that it has become an extension of us - something that we take everywhere with us. The number of smartphone users in Australia sits at over 23 million as of 2023. This means that approximately 86% of the population use a smartphone - and in many cases, kids have phones before they even own ID cards or wallets.

Paramedics can provide better care with the right information. Image Credit: Shutterstock

This only goes to show how important smartphones have become when it comes to emergencies and how having medical information on your phone could be a matter of life or death. But how do you do this without compromising your privacy?
Thankfully, if you have a smartphone, it’s easier than you think to add important medical information to your home screen without unlocking the phone.
Samsung phones even offer access to an emergency contact list without unlocking the phone - so that first responders can get in touch with whoever you put on that list without having to gain access to your entire contact list.
Without further ado, here’s how to add your medication information to your smartphone.

Apple: Create your Medical ID​

How to set up a Medical ID in the Health app.

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your picture at the top right, then tap Medical ID.
3. Tap Get Started or Edit, then enter your information.
4. Below Emergency Contacts, tap Add Emergency Contact, then add your contacts.
   After an emergency call ends, your iPhone alerts your emergency contacts with a text message unless you choose to cancel. Your iPhone sends your current location (if available), and—for a period of time after you enter SOS mode—your emergency contacts receive updates when your location changes.
5. Tap Done.

Here’s what you can expect your Apple Medical ID to look like. Image Credit: Apple

Android: Setting up medical information​

Here’s how to display your medical information on your Android lock screen:

Method 1.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Tap 'Security & location';
3. Tap 'Settings' next to 'Screen lock';
4. Tap 'Lock screen message';
5. Enter medical information (or any other info you’d like first responders to see).

Method 2.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Tap 'System';
3. Tap 'About phone';
4. Tap 'Emergency Information';
5. Tap 'Edit information' to add medical information (If there’s no 'Edit information', tap 'Info' first);
6. To add emergency contacts, tap 'Add contact'. (If there’s no 'Add contacts', tap 'Contact').

If you use Method 2, first responders will swipe up on your lock screen, tap 'Emergency', then tap 'Emergency information' when it flashes.

Setting up emergency information on your Samsung​

The Samsung process is slightly different. Simply follow the steps below.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Go to 'Lock screen and security';
3. Go to 'Info and app shortcuts';
4. Go to 'Owner information';
5. Enter medical information, or any other information you’d like to make available on your lock screen.

You can also create an emergency contact list (ICE – In Case of Emergency) that can be accessed from the lock screen. Here’s how:

1. Open your Contacts app;
2. Tap 'Groups' at the top right;
3. Tap 'ICE – emergency contacts';
4. Add your emergency contacts and hit Save;
5. Lock your phone;
6. Drag the phone icon to the middle until the keypad appears;
7. Tap 'Emergency Call';
8. Tap the '+' symbol to add up to 3 contacts from your ICE group.

Printed Medication Information For Your Home​

Attached to this article, we’ve created a printable template for you to use.

If you don’t have a smartphone or simply prefer a tried and true classic approach, you can keep a print out of your medical information somewhere accessible in your home. When choosing a placement, think of where it’s most likely to be seen by first responders.

By following these simple steps, you’re prepared for almost any emergency. Lastly, a huge thank you to member Linda B for this topic suggestion!

Do you have any other health advice that other members may find helpful? Please share it in the comments below. You may also like to share this article with your friends and family so they can follow these necessary precautions as well.

 

[IAN3005]

I don't have any of these apps apart from banking. Another means of CONTROL.

 

[NotNats]

Emergencies happen suddenly and without warning - and it’s only natural for us to feel helpless in these situations. But what if there are important medical details and emergency contact information that could be used to help you? Or even just to identify you?
In this article, we’ll be explaining how to keep your medical information on hand in case of an emergency. We’ll also share a document to print out and keep handy at home and/or in your wallet. The document is designed to be accessed by family or emergency services, much like phone medical IDs.

Smartphone technology is advancing so quickly these days that it has become an extension of us - something that we take everywhere with us. The number of smartphone users in Australia sits at over 23 million as of 2023. This means that approximately 86% of the population use a smartphone - and in many cases, kids have phones before they even own ID cards or wallets.

View attachment 21087

Paramedics can provide better care with the right information. Image Credit: Shutterstock

This only goes to show how important smartphones have become when it comes to emergencies and how having medical information on your phone could be a matter of life or death. But how do you do this without compromising your privacy?
Thankfully, if you have a smartphone, it’s easier than you think to add important medical information to your home screen without unlocking the phone.
Samsung phones even offer access to an emergency contact list without unlocking the phone - so that first responders can get in touch with whoever you put on that list without having to gain access to your entire contact list.
Without further ado, here’s how to add your medication information to your smartphone.

Apple: Create your Medical ID​

How to set up a Medical ID in the Health app.

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your picture at the top right, then tap Medical ID.
3. Tap Get Started or Edit, then enter your information.
4. Below Emergency Contacts, tap Add Emergency Contact, then add your contacts.
   After an emergency call ends, your iPhone alerts your emergency contacts with a text message unless you choose to cancel. Your iPhone sends your current location (if available), and—for a period of time after you enter SOS mode—your emergency contacts receive updates when your location changes.
5. Tap Done.

View attachment 21088

Here’s what you can expect your Apple Medical ID to look like. Image Credit: Apple

Android: Setting up medical information​

Here’s how to display your medical information on your Android lock screen:

Method 1.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Tap 'Security & location';
3. Tap 'Settings' next to 'Screen lock';
4. Tap 'Lock screen message';
5. Enter medical information (or any other info you’d like first responders to see).

Method 2.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Tap 'System';
3. Tap 'About phone';
4. Tap 'Emergency Information';
5. Tap 'Edit information' to add medical information (If there’s no 'Edit information', tap 'Info' first);
6. To add emergency contacts, tap 'Add contact'. (If there’s no 'Add contacts', tap 'Contact').

If you use Method 2, first responders will swipe up on your lock screen, tap 'Emergency', then tap 'Emergency information' when it flashes.

Setting up emergency information on your Samsung​

The Samsung process is slightly different. Simply follow the steps below.

1. Open your Settings app;
2. Go to 'Lock screen and security';
3. Go to 'Info and app shortcuts';
4. Go to 'Owner information';
5. Enter medical information, or any other information you’d like to make available on your lock screen.

You can also create an emergency contact list (ICE – In Case of Emergency) that can be accessed from the lock screen. Here’s how:

1. Open your Contacts app;
2. Tap 'Groups' at the top right;
3. Tap 'ICE – emergency contacts';
4. Add your emergency contacts and hit Save;
5. Lock your phone;
6. Drag the phone icon to the middle until the keypad appears;
7. Tap 'Emergency Call';
8. Tap the '+' symbol to add up to 3 contacts from your ICE group.

Printed Medication Information For Your Home​

Attached to this article, we’ve created a printable template for you to use.

If you don’t have a smartphone or simply prefer a tried and true classic approach, you can keep a print out of your medical information somewhere accessible in your home. When choosing a placement, think of where it’s most likely to be seen by first responders.

By following these simple steps, you’re prepared for almost any emergency. Lastly, a huge thank you to member Linda B for this topic suggestion!

Do you have any other health advice that other members may find helpful? Please share it in the comments below. You may also like to share this article with your friends and family so they can follow these necessary precautions as well.

Even better idea - go online and buy this little device "EMERGENCY ID" invented by an Aussie ( www.icemergency.com.au ). You can get several different styles. I have one in my wallet, one in my car and one hanging inside my house (where I put my keys). It is a simple USB that you can put as little or as much information on it that you want. It's bright Red with white writing on it. Mine holds my name, my doctor's surgery contact details, two of my emergency contact people details, basic medical conditions & medication list. I also have a bit of other information on it about what treatment I want if in an accident or found/collapse somewhere or they can't find my mobile. Remember a phone can be damaged or lost or in an area of no reception. I love my Flip Band one as I can wear it anywhere, I go.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

I have all that information In the front of my diary, which is in my handbag, so always with me. Sometimes old school works just as well!

 

[terri]

Lose your phone and whomever finds it has that information without unlocking. Dont think it is a terribly secure way of doing things these days. And the majority may never need it.

 

[Trudi]

Yeah, right. NO!

 

[SGH]

I'm not a big phone user, phone calls and photos that's about my usage. People are a little too quick to put personal information on their mobiles.