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New medical identification devices help emergency services act quickly

(Photo Courtesy/Mike Beiermeister) The MyID bracelet allows first responders to scan the QR code and pull up vital information to diagnose the situation.

Alpena, Mich. —  A new lifesaving piece of technology is popping up all over the country, and it’s helping first responders diagnose what’s wrong with a person faster and more efficiently. That technology is now available online and here in Alpena.

It’s called the MyID. The small devices store conditions, allergies, medication instructions, and personal information so first responders can act quickly. The technology has been at LeFave Pharmacy for the past month. Pharmacist Jaime Cadarette believes that it’s critical for all different people to have with them.

“It’s important for anyone to have,” said Cadarette. “Whether you have a various or specific medical condition, or whether you’re generally a healthy adult, you can put lifesaving medication instructions, or if you were to get in a car accident, and you’re a healthy adult, you can have your emergency contacts loaded in there, so that first responders know who to call.”

When emergency services arrive to a scene, and someone is wearing one of the devices, all they have to do is pull out their phone or tablet and scan that bracelet. Information will pop up on their phone, so they can get an understanding of what might be wrong.

“If we didn’t know the person was diabetic, and I would pull that up and, we’d go, “oh, that’s what’s going on, the blood sugar is low because they’re diaphoretic or unresponsive,” said Andy Marceau, community risk reduction officer for the Alpena City Fire Department. “We can pull that [MyID] up and give them some D50 and bring them back around.”

You can find MyID at LeFave Pharmacy in Alpena, or you can head online and order one by visiting the website https://shop.getmyid.com/ They come in a variety of different formats including wallet cards, necklaces, bracelets, wrist watch attachments, and other forms.