Being Ready in Case of an Emergency

It is always advisable to have an “emergency preparedness kit” at the ready. Here are some important items to keep in your kit:

People to reach
Carry emergency contact information, including treating physicians and their contact information.

Emergency bracelets or cards
Wearing an emergency bracelet or keeping an emergency card in your wallet or billfold can alert first responders including police and paramedics to any life-threatening conditions you have, including allergies and risk of carcinoid crisis, in case a medical emergency prevents you from communicating.

Smart devices
Smartphones and smart devices often have a feature that allows you to set up your emergency contacts and add essential information such as medical conditions, allergies, and current medications. This allows first responders to access important medical information from the lock screen, even without your passcode.

“Go kit” or “Go bag”
Pack a casual travel bag with supplies you’d need if you were admitted to the hospital, such as a spare change of clothes, extra medications, a flash drive or other record of your current medical information and history, people to contact in case of emergency, and your advance directives.