Dale, I have several health issues, but the two primary are insulin dependent diabetes and Parkinson's.

I have worn a Medic Alert Bracelet for many years. The program is very inexpensive, and while bracelets can be expensive (gold and silver), I purchase the simple ones that are under $30.

Due to changes in medical conditions, I have had several bracelets over the years. Each time you need to make a change to the engraving you will need to purchase a new bracelet.

I also like that I can go online into my personal record at anytime and change my emergency contact information (relatives and doctors), medical conditions, medication information (including dose, time of day, number of times per day, etc.) and allergies of any kind.

They have added a lot of new programs in the 10 years I have been a member. I will never drop out. It give me peace to know that if I am driving the four hours from one daughter's home in PA to my other daughter's home in NYS and I have a problem, someone can obtain my information very quickly. Any kind of traveling or just about town shopping alone.

Generally, it is best to make the purchase online and then call into the 1-800 number that will be given to you at the end of the purchase and take directly to someone about what will be printed on your bracelet. Or, choose the bracelet online and then call and do both purchase and engraving choice over the phone. Currently, mine says, "Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Spinal fusion with Titanium" So, you can get a lot on a bracelet. You can direct the content, but the customer service person will all help with suggestions.

The initial reason I subscribed to the program was because I lived and traveled alone, and have for more than 20 years. I have heard many stories about both the kind of alert item to wear and things that have happened to people I knew personally.

One is a woman I knew in a diabetes support group in NYS who fell due to sidewalk ice. She had been wearing a necklace, but the paramedics didn't see the necklace, since it was under her clothing and coat. So, she switched to a bracelet after than event. The medics always check your pulse.

Another was a friend who was in a car accident, and like me, she had put a Medic Alert decal on the front window drivers side corner of her car. When a witness to the accident came over to her car and saw that she was in trouble, she also saw the decal and quickly got help to her.

There are many pluses to any alert program, but I believe that the Medic Alert is the most comprehensive.