Originally Posted by
Sy Reene
Sorry, but this just seems odd to me. Really? After someone's in an accident, the first place EMTs look for ID is something wearable? Not a wallet or a purse or pockets?
Yup. But that's not new.
In the 1970s I was a Navy hospital corpsman. First thing a more experienced corpsman told me when he found out I was bicycle commuting to and from Camp Pendleton (with long stretches of nothing but nothing between base facilities), including in the wee hours depending on my schedule, was to get a wearable Medic-Alert type emergency contact bracelet or necklace with my basic health info, in addition to our dog tags. My only serious health issue was a severe allergy to the then-common tetanus shot. Back then it was common to give tetanus shots as a preventive measure for almost any injury accident, particularly those that occurred in rural areas with wildlife herds or domestic cattle or horses. My last tetanus shot was at age 12 and the entire right side of my body swelled up. If the shot had been given on my left side there may have been a risk of the swelling affecting the heart.
Since then tetanus shots have been modified to be less likely to provoke allergic reactions, and aren't routinely given immediately along with other emergency medical care.
I don't want to speak about your ill family member, but why would someone keep their ID etc. scattered in the bottom of a tote bag?
Years ago I learned to never ask womenfolk about their purses. It's a good way to get the stink eye and incur all sorts of unthinkable silent curses.
Best I can figure from stealthy observation, they begin the day and shopping trips well organized. But after use at the store, the debit card, ID, etc., gets tossed into the purse or bag for re-organizing later at home.
And that's assuming the handbag addicts in my family remember to actually carry their IDs, debit/credit cards, cash, etc., at all. The bags will have the cell phone, tissues, feminine hygiene supplies, makeup, lip balm, water bottle, cutesy notepad, packets of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, greeting cards they've been meaning to mail all year, etc., etc.
Also, from the perspective of emergency medical personnel, fireman, police, etc., reaching into bags and pockets is a good way to get jabbed with an infected needle or other sharp object.
And people who've been badly injured and in shock, particularly if they're older or unconscious, often void their bladders and bowels. Reaching into pants pockets and clothing drops even lower on the priority list.