Blood type helmet sticker

ChriSTian_64

ChriSTian_64

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Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
810
Age
60
Location
Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, Canada
Bike
2000 ST1100Y
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I hope I will never need it, but who knows, one day I could be inconscious, and the paramedics could quickly need my blood type.
Another "utility" is that it reminds you, each time you put your helmet on... what your name is. :biggrin:

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I ordered this sticker on ebay. Less than $10. Choices of collor, format, etc.
The transfer on my helmet was really easy.

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There are probably multiple places to order them. But I remember those ones where those that I prefer, don't remember why.
Ordered from I. Dannerolle, France. You can probably find her. I can add her link latter.

Good quality product. And very flexible to your need.
 
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Discussed such with local EMT's/first responders and got informed that they rather not follow those stickers as you might have borrowed the helmet from a friend...
They don't even care for dog-tags in the trauma room (for the same reason), and rather do their quick-test before pumping a wrong unit into you...
Stickers/bracelets/necklace with info about blood thinners, allergies, etc... might get attention... but not guarantied...
 
ST1100Y said:
Discussed such with local EMT's/first responders and got informed that they rather not follow those stickers as you might have borrowed the helmet from a friend...
They don't even care for dog-tags in the trauma room (for the same reason), and rather do their quick-test before pumping a wrong unit into you...
Stickers/bracelets/necklace with info about blood thinners, allergies, etc... might get attention... but not guarantied...
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I've wondered about that - specifically the Aerostich medical envelope you attach to your arm. Would a first responder spend time searching for your medical history or just follow established procedures and get on with treatment? Thanks for the answer.
 
ST1100Y said:
They don't even care for dog-tags in the trauma room [...]
Stickers/bracelets/necklace with info about blood thinners, allergies, etc... might get attention... but not guarantied...
Click to expand...

Hum... that seems a bit hard to believe.
Medical alert bracelet or necklace are everywhere, in almost all country. Well, the rich country that is.
Eventhough the medical system is not working exactly the same way, from one country to another.

It's true that paramedics probably don't carry all blood type with them onboard, but they can probably give directions to the hospital, where they are heading.

Anyway... it probably give them a better clue than just a t-shirt showing that my blood type is RED.
 
Hmmmm…did you see the most recent Mad Max movie? They had his blood type tattooed I think as a donor, not a recipient! You want to get, not give in event of an incident…

Truth be known, with trauma or with a high likelihood of a lot of blood transfusions needed (like aortic aneurysm surgery), they will use uncross matched O negative to my recollection, but normally crossmatching only takes about 20 minutes or so (I would assume it’s only a bigger deal if you have a very rare blood type).
 
I've never heard of giving blood to a patient without the type and match protocol. Perhaps if you have a rare blood type, it might give the medicos a chance to put in a rush order to Amazon who can then deliver it by drone.

I'm reminded of years and years and years ago when all the squirrels and squids thought the height of bravado was to adorn their lids with blood type. Even then it was type and match before infusing. So it's a nice sticker and maybe good to have your name on the lid but I think listing the blood type has little to no value.

Although in the service I remember having my blood type on my dog tags. Maybe that was tradition from the days of MASH units where time was essential. I would say I'd hate to get the wrong blood, but if it came to that, I'd be in no condition to complain.

The Medic Alert thing on the other hand is a big deal. I knew one person who had an issue and somehow the bracelet was missed and something went awry. I image it is protocol for first responders to check for a bracelet or tag.

Not to STereotype the typical rider, it wouldn't be shocking to find a greater (if still small) percentage of riders prescribed blood thinners than say the typical sportbike rider. Not to mention any other number of medications they might be taking having contraindications.

Now with the proliferation of smartphones and maybe specially iPhones specific medical data can be chosen to be displayed on the lock screen in the event of an emergency. Some firefighter-paramedics told me they look for them now. Who knows how widespread that is/will be. At the very least having ICE/NOK info makes the life of police/fire/EMS a lot easier.
 
Retired medic here, our goal was to keep them alive till we got to the hospital. Drug allergies or medical conditions was really all I cared about.
We stabilized them on backboards, got them in the bus (ambulance), assessed the injuries, cut their clothes off, IV’s, stop bleeding and haul butt..
 
It's a good idea but I doubt seriously if a helmit or bike will make it to the hospital. I was recently put on comidan. These powerful drugs have a risk so its important to weigh the risks. My dad was on comidan when he had a stroke and bled out. My take away was to closely monitor the INR levels and bp. And of course wear the gear. I asked the doc if I should quit riding. I was surprised she said no. She said if the accident is that bad it won't matter.
 
mlheck said:
I've talked to several nurses and was told the same thing. They will run a test before giving you any blood............
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Same thing, as per spouse who is an RN. Sample off to the blood bank/lab, type & match determined and then you get blood. Other consideration, as already mentioned, is that your helmet may not make it to the hospital or it may be road rashed and the label illegible.
 
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For those who wanted to put a sticker on the helmet you could do it cheaper if you have access to a label maker. I have a friend who did this more than a decade ago.
 
ST1100Y said:
Discussed such with local EMT's/first responders and got informed that they rather not follow those stickers as you might have borrowed the helmet from a friend...
They don't even care for dog-tags in the trauma room (for the same reason), and rather do their quick-test before pumping a wrong unit into you...
Stickers/bracelets/necklace with info about blood thinners, allergies, etc... might get attention... but not guarantied...
Click to expand...
It's not quite the same over on this side of the pond.

If you have a random sticker, yep, no-one is paying any attention to that.

If you have something that is formally recognised for your condition, yes, folks are trained to pay attention. That said, the training I've had says quite clearly "if you know it's a problem but have no choice, to save a life, do what you need to do and tell them when handing the patient to the next in line." Sadly I've had to make that decision, and thankfully I didn't paralyse a friend when he couldn't breathe.

Priorities are priorities for a reason.
 
ad.hom said:
It's not quite the same over on this side of the pond.

If you have a random sticker, yep, no-one is paying any attention to that.

If you have something that is formally recognised for your condition, yes, folks are trained to pay attention. That said, the training I've had says quite clearly "if you know it's a problem but have no choice, to save a life, do what you need to do and tell them when handing the patient to the next in line." Sadly I've had to make that decision, and thankfully I didn't paralyse a friend when he couldn't breathe.

Priorities are priorities for a reason.
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exactly…. Triage, treat and go…. Keep them breathing and heart beating…
 
I don't expect the helmet or bike to make it to the hospital. I also wear a wrist band. Hopefully these things bring out awareness.
 
Tall_Joe said:
exactly…. Triage, treat and go…. Keep them breathing and heart beating…
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32 years ago I served as an aviation crash rescue/ medivac helicopter crew chief, the rule was do not remove the helmet from the victim to minimize further injury. Remove only under Physicians approval. Was certified EMT in 2 states and national but I cannot recall what was taught with regard to helmet removal for cyclists. I would think do not remove.
 
Walleye said:
...... the rule was do not remove the helmet from the victim to minimize further injury. Remove only under Physicians approval.
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That is what I was told as well, by my sister who is a nurse in California. EMT are only supposed to remove a helmet if it is required to provide emergency treatment. Otherwise, it is to be left on and removed in the hospital emergency room.
It seems only logical to me, much in the same vein as it is protocol that a person should never be moved unnecessarily and if necessary, only the minimum required.
 
You are both correct about helmet removal, it is a little more difficult to place a cervical collar and keep the neck inline.

unfortunately, almost every motorcycle accident I worked the helmet was removed before I got there.

I used to see stickers saying please do not remove my helmet….
 
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