First, thanks everyone for your kind words. I just got back from the hospital, and what a difference a day and a half makes. Although she broke many bones on one side of her face, her eye socket, and had some bleeding on the brain, she's come back very well. The bleeding has almost stopped, and they were able to save her eye (not 100% vision, but decent or good vision they think). At first she didn't know anyone, including her daughter, but now she's giving orders! Back to her old self.

More to the point, LesSnyder: For the past few years I've been doing just that for her (she is elderly)--typing her meds and conditons on a small card along with her name and month/year so that she could just hand EMT the card. Unfortunately, she didn't bring her pocketbook or wallet and couldn't tell them anything. But I have been able to use it for my Mom and Dad whenever they went to the hospital--just hand it to EMT. It's clear and they appreciate it.

I always pray that when I have to call an ambulance (for family) that it's FDNY EMT. They really are the BEST!

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Kathy. I hope she's OK.

Great advice to keep an ICE contact or two in your one. As Les says, I also carry an ICE sheet in my wallet. It's just a piece of paper with emergency contacts (hubby, mom, bff, dr, pharmacy knfo, etc.) but it's proment in my wallet and will work if I forget to charge it.

I have a Road ID as well. Just like a LiveStrong bracelet. Small, unobtrusive, waterproof. I never take it off.

There's also a free iPhone app called ICE Standard. It may not be helpful to the EMTs but it could speed up the identification process if you're incapacitated.

I like the look of that. I understand that Medical Alert has a bunch of modern style options as well, rather thank just the old metal bracelts and necklaces.

Thanks for the heads up. I think this is something that I'm going to look into.

Also add a slot for " please return to" and a number. People are often very kind.