New Twist On An Old Idea

[Brad Adrian]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=66885' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/PlatformPro...productId=66885</a><br /><br /></div>Here's a little application, called Emergency Medical Alert, aimed at making sure your vital medical information is available in the event of an emergency, kind of like those medical alert bracelets some of us wear.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/medalert.gif" /><br /><br />"Are you allergic to a drug? What is your blood type? Who should be contacted if you fall seriously ill? What type of Medical coverage do you have? What is your medical history? Emergency Medical Alert is a program that jumps out at anyone who turns on your device and can provide important information in your treatment in case of an emergency."<br /><br />Of course, I like the idea of making such important information readily available, but I also wonder if an emergency worker would necessarily think to see if I've got a Pocket PC. Maybe what I need is this application AND a nifty bracelet that says "I've got a Pocket PC."<br /><br />In any event, you can't beat the price of Emergency Medical Alert. For only $4.95, you can make sure all important information is only a screen tap away.

[ricksfiona]

This is crap. Good old fashioned bracelet works the best. Next to tatooing the information on your forehead, it doesn't get much simplier.

[FredMurphy]

A flawed solution to a problem that doesn't really exist. Is anyone really likely to go through your pockets to find a Pocket PC and switch it on to find out your medical details?

Also, I ride a motorbike, so if I'm involved in an accident where I'm not concious enough to tell any medical worker what they need to know and my iPAQ 5450 was in my pocket, I'd guess that a cracked screen could be added to the list of injuries. My old Jornada 568, on the other hand...

:idea: Tip: As this is quite sensitive personal data I suggest you password-protect your PPC! :wink:

[2002F1Fan]

Good idea. But who the hell is going to turn on a unconcious guy's PPC when he should be getting help?? This wont work!

[Venturello]

I thought the same.... sounds useless. I also motorbike and my Schuberth helmet (the best out there IMHO) has a clear plastic pocket on the side where you can place important medical information. Good idea, chances are your head (and you helmet) will still be with you in any accident you are able to survive :roll:

Just being optimistic: where an app like might be useful is for someone very sick, or with a specific sickness, who needs to have a list of medicament information always available... but I guess a note in the ppc would be enough for this...

Sorry for the developer, I am also one myself, but if your idea is failed... I hope at least it was a good learning experience, and the app looks quite well done.

[Jason Dunn]

I agree that this wouldn't work in a situation where you're in too bad of shape to speak, but if you have some complex medical conditions, it's easier having it pre-recorded so that you can hand it to a medical professional.

I applaud this developer for creating something unique - remember what's useless to you might be just right for another person.

[bdegroodt]

Wow! Tough crowd today. What ever happened to "If it saves even one life, it's worth it!"?

Given the laundry list of other games and entertainment work that's available for the PPC, I say bravo to the developer that was able to step away from that genre and make this available.

[aquanaut]

Try using the Owners Information, Notes, set to show when device turned on... and still keep your ppc password protected.
cheers

[heov]

Try using the Owners Information, Notes, set to show when device turned on... and still keep your ppc password protected.
cheers

now THAT's an idea :D

A really good solution, seriously! I use Nice Start and realize that my owner info is there... one could put anything important the next person needs to know!

[Sheynk]

Good idea. But who the hell is going to turn on a unconcious guy's PPC when he should be getting help?? This wont work!

:bangin:

[Jason Dunn]

I use Nice Start and realize that my owner info is there... one could put anything important the next person needs to know!

Yeah, like "I'm not quite dead yet...please put my Pocket PC back that pocket..." :lol:

[Brad Adrian]

I agree that if a person in incapacitated there's small chance a caregive will turn on his/her Pocket PC looking for medical info. On the other hand, I think it's a great idea to use a tool like this to store such information. A couple of years ago I took a bad fall (big surprise) and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. Having my complete medical history, including prior hospitalizations, medicine dosages, etc. speeded my treatment.

If you're like me and don't go anywhere without your Pocket PC, make sure you've got all pertinent medical information stored on it.

[MasterOfMoo]

:robot:

While it's true that having such information available would be great, assuming the emergency folks thought to check it, no one would ever get to my Today screen to see it with password protection enabled.

Nice, but no...

- Moo

[Pony99CA]

:robot:

While it's true that having such information available would be great, assuming the emergency folks thought to check it, no one would ever get to my Today screen to see it with password protection enabled.

I was going to make that point, too. I have my password set up, so nobody would get to the Today screen. Maybe I could put my password in the Owner Information notes so people could get to the Today screen if they needed to. :rofl:

Seriously, my Owner Information Notes section has always said "In case of emergency, notify..." my emergency contact with both a home and work phone number.

Steve

[aquanaut]

Something you're more likely to see is the adoption of smartcards that carry both your medical history and insurance information -- no battery, waterproof, and &lt;$6 to produce.
Cheers