Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 09/04 – MedicAlert Warning Device

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2004-04-23

Date of Modification: 2024-12-01

Application: This instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members (NCM) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.

Supersession: CFAO 34-37, Emergency Medical Information MedicAlert Warning Device

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Abbreviations

3. Policy Direction

Policy Statement

3.1 Eligible CAF members may be provided with a lifetime membership in the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation (CMAF) when it is essential that their condition be known prior to medical treatment.

Applicable Conditions

3.2 This policy applies to members suffering from certain conditions. Although the list below is not all encompassing, it does describe some examples of conditions for which a device is suggested:

1. Allergies to any drug or agent with the potential for causing a serious reaction such as horse-serum, antibiotics or bee venom;
2. Chronic health problems, which might necessitate emergency treatment of a specific nature, such as: diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, or malignant hyperthermia;
3. The need to take regular medication, prosthesis, implants, and conditions which might lead to difficulty in diagnosis during emergency care, e.g., long-term anticoagulants, long-term systemic steroids or anisocoria; and
4. Occupations that impose a high degree of risk to the individual’s health, e.g., hypo/hyperbaric chamber crews or divers.

Eligibility Guidelines

3.3 The services of the CMAF at public expense will normally be limited to members of the Regular Force and Reservists on Class B and C service.

Divers

3.4 Members employed as scuba or deep-sea divers must be provided with membership in the CMAF on the first medical examination following completion of the diver-training course (see MSI CF 7000-200).

Necklet

3.5 By agreement with other NATO countries (whose tags may be different), the MedicAlert tag is only to be worn around the neck. This enables participating nationals to identify foreign nationals' tags under operational and emergency conditions. As a consequence, the Department of National Defence (DND) will normally only authorize the issue and cover the costs associated with the MedicAlert stainless steel necklet (see “Exceptions” below).

Exceptions

3.6 Approval for other CMAF products or services for conditions other than those listed in this instruction will be sought through CF H SVCS GP HQ, DCOS HS Del, based on the recommendation of the responsible Medical Authority.

Wearing the MedicAlert Necklet

3.7 It is vital that all eligible members wear the MedicAlert necklet. If wearers of the MedicAlert necklet become unconscious, or otherwise are unable to explain their condition, the MedicAlert warning could save their lives. The necklet will be worn around the neck, next to the skin, either on the chain provided with it or on the chain provided for the Identification (ID) Tag.

Importance of MedicAlert Necklet

3.8 The MedicAlert necklet is a warning device that indicates to others that wearers may require special attention to ensure that their condition is not aggravated by first aid or emergency medical treatment. For this reason, members issued with MedicAlert necklets (or other devices) must wear and display them. Similarly, all CAF members should be aware of the existence of and the reasons for the MedicAlert necklet and should look for it whenever they are required to perform first aid.

4. Application for MedicAlert Necklet

Supporting CAF Medical Facility

4.1 Eligible members should apply for the MedicAlert necklet through their supporting CAF medical facility that will follow the process described in MSI CF 1000-209 to obtain the device.

Other Products or Services

4.2 CF H Svcs Gp approval authority is required if other CMAF products or services are requested for conditions other than those listed in this instruction.

5. Canadian MedicAlert Foundation Information

Membership

5.1 Eligible CAF members will be provided membership in the CMAF on the recommendation of their responsible medical authority. Membership in the CMAF includes provision of a stainless steel identification necklet and a special wallet card. Initial issue and replacement of the necklet and wallet card are at public expense. Members are responsible for advising CMAF of any errors or changes in information, i.e., address, medical information and completing and returning annual member update form to CMAF.

MedicAlert Necklet

5.2 One side is embossed with MedicAlert's internationally recognized symbol. The other side is custom-engraved with each member's vital medical facts, a 24-hour emergency hotline number, and the membership number. Only medical information that is important for emergency treatment is engraved on the necklet. MedicAlert uses standard medical terminology and abbreviations.

Wallet Card

5.3 Members also receive a wallet-sized card, which provides added protection and identification. It lists their additional medical information as well as medication; special needs, personal requests, physician phone numbers and emergency contacts.

Contact Information

5.4 Additional information on CMAF, order forms and price lists are available from CMAF at 1-800-668-1507 (English) or 1-800-668-6381 (French). Information also available on website http://www.medicalert.ca/

6. Responsibilities

Responsibilities Table

6.1 The table below describes the responsibilities associated with this instruction:

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• N/A

Other References

• MSI CF 1000-209, Emergency Medical Information – MedicAlert Warning Device (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• NATO STANAG 2347, MEDICAL WARNING TAG (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• NATO QSTAG 908, MEDICAL WARNING TAG (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)