Medical ID: Life Saving Tips for Your iPhone

Medical ID: Life Saving Tips for Your iPhone

Having a medical ID on your phone can be a life-saving feature in an emergency situation. With just a few taps, medical responders can quickly get access to critical information such as your name, date of birth (DOB), emergency contacts, medical conditions and even blood type.

The Medical ID feature is available on iPhones running iOS 8.0 or later. Here's how to set it up:

1. Go to the 'Health' app on your phone and tap 'Medical ID'.
2. Tap 'Create Medical ID'.
3. Fill in all the relevant information, including your name, DOB, any known medical conditions, emergency contacts, allergies and medications, and your blood type.
4. Make sure 'Show When Locked' is enabled so that anyone can access this information from your lock screen.

Once you've set up your Medical ID, make sure to update it with any changes, like if you start taking new medication or change your emergency contact. Your Medical ID can be accessed from your lock screen by tapping 'Emergency', then 'Medical ID' –– no passcode needed.

Making sure your Medical ID is up to date could be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. In addition to setting up your Medical ID, it's also important to create a “go bag” with items you might need in an emergency –– like water, snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and extra batteries.

By following these tips, you'll arm yourself (and others) with critical information in an emergency situation.