From: pstonge@trentu.ca (CMDR P.D. Keener)
Subject: Re: re.MedicAlert message text
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Trent University Computer Services Department
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 16:18:00 GMT

In article <1992Nov7.010436.5758@hplabsz.hpl.hp.com>, peterson@hpl.hp.com (Chris Peterson) writes...
>In article <1992Oct22.151642.15471@cs.mun.ca> jamess@garfield.cs.mun.ca (James Douglas Sinnott) writes:
>>     The Canadian Medic Alert Foundation has the following message
>>     on the wallet card for divers:
> 
>> 	    In case of diving emergency call ***Divers Alert Network***
>>     		ph# 1-919-684-8111 (USA).
Mine's not quite the same, as follows ... 

"RISTOCETIN CO FACTOR DEFICIENT""
(Okay, this is my little problem - I've had difficulty making large clots 
(so if you chop off my head, I might have clotting problems...))
"DIVER::
 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL ***DIVERS ALERT NETWORK*** PH#1-919-684-8111 
(USA).  IF DIVER INCAPACITATED, CONTACT NEAREST HYPERBARIC CHAMBER.POSITION 
ON SIDE, HEAD DOWN (10-30 DEGREES), OXYGEN BY MASK (100%), IV FLUIDS 
(RINGER'S LACTATE).  MAINTAIN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AS CLOSE TO SEA LEVEL AS 
POSSIBLE DURING TRANSPORT"
> 
>>           If diver incapacitated, contact nearest hyperbaric chamber. 
> 
>		Direct transport to a hyperbaric in some areas may actually
>		delay getting he victim into a recompression chamber.

I would definately agree, as I do with the next statement
> 
>		When in doubt, call DAN.
> 
>>          Position on side, head down (10-30 degrees), 
> 
>		Debatable... might read "Treat for shock" instead...

This is indeed what DAN recommends in "The DAN Emergency Handbook" 1985.  
It's a pretty good first aid guide for the field.  The book is waterproof 
too, so when you're "on the hang" waiting out your time, you've got 
something to read!!!
> 
>>          oxygen by mask (100%), IV fluids (Ringers Lactate). 
> 
>		O2 is great first aid too.
> 
>		As first aid, administer fluids by mouth *only* if there
>		is little chance that the victim will lose consciousness.
> 
>>          Maintain atmospheric pressure as close to sea
>>          level as possibble during transport.
>>


>>     The bracelet message is:
>>           Diver
>>        In emergency
>>        take immediately
>>        to a hyperbaric
>>        facility
> 
cp>		I think a better message would be
cp> 
cp>		          SCUBA DIVER
cp>		        In an emergency,
cp>		     call DAN (919)  684-8111                     

Looks like the Canadian ident has changed - "DIVER - CALL HOTLINE" is on 
the ident now.  I think that putting the DAN number on the ident would be
a good idea.  Few physicians I know of are familiar with the niceties of 
hyperbaric illness or injuries - nothing against you folks in the medical 
profession, but I think that you'll agree that most GP's and ER physicians
especially here up North are not hyperbaric specialists.  As a result, if the 
doctor isn't aware of the hyperbaric physiology (it is quite specialized), 
perhaps treatment would also be delayed.
     But for the cases where one or the other is lost, having the number on   
the ident would be better than having it on the wallet card alone.  The 
wallet card may not be around (or remembered) when somebody gets taken to 
emerg, but at least the folks in ER can call MedicAlert for info, then call 
DAN.
     Here's a question - as divers, should we all be wearing the MedicAlert 
Diver idents???  I'd like to hear (read) your opinions on this.  Tanks a 
lot!

Pete St. Onge / pstonge@trentu.ca / 3rd yr Environmental and Resource 
Sciences major / NAUI Advanced diver / (Keener too!)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba,misc.forsale,chi.forsale