THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE…
Follow the green line to get your FREE Message In A Bottle.
So, what is Message in a Bottle?
It is a surprisingly simple idea that encourages vulnerable people, e.g. those living on their own, to keep a record of their basic personal and medical details in a standard form and in a common location so that they can easily be found in the unfortunate event of an emergency arising.
Even if you don’t have a medical condition that the emergency services should know about, it might still be a good idea to have a bottle so that they will know who should be informed of your situation or, perhaps, to ensure that a pet is given the care it needs.
What is the common location that you mentioned?
Your fridge. The Emergency Services, who are fully supporting this scheme, will know to look for the bottle there if they are called to your home as they will have been alerted to your participation in the scheme by the use of two special stickers. One is placed adjacent to handle on the inside of the main door to your home, the other is stuck on the fridge door.
Why the fridge?
Firstly, most homes have a fridge, usually in the kitchen, so it enables the Emergency Services to find your details quickly and easily as they will know exactly where to look. Also, the contents of the fridge are protected for longer in the event of fire.
What is the cost?
There is NO COST to the user. All the costs of running the scheme are met by Glantawe (Swansea Valley) Lions Clubs as part of “Lions Caring for our Communities”.
What areas does your scheme cover?
Glantawe (Swansea Valley) Lions Club covers the Tawe Valley communities described on our home page. If you live outside of the Glantawe (Swansea Valley) area please visit the Lions U.K. web site where you will be able to find the Lions Club that covers your area and obtain further information about Message in a Bottle from them.
What information goes into the bottle?
Participants are strongly encouraged to keep a copy of any repeat prescriptions in the bottle, as this will aid Paramedics and any hospital staff to ensure correct drugs are administered in the emergency. There is also space for you to enter contact details for next of kin or friends who you would like to be notified in an emergency and even what provision might be needed for any pets that you may have. If more than one person lives in the house only one bottle is needed but each member of the household should complete a separate form that should have a passport size photo attached to aid teh services.
Where can I get a bottle?
Local Pharmacists, Health Centres, and GPs’ surgeries should have Bottle Kits, i.e. the bottle, a form and stickers. Some Neighbourhood Watch and Age Concern groups will also have supplies and, as the scheme expands, other agencies will have them. If you are unable to find a stockist in your area please contact Lion Mike Sheldon via the online form above.
Can I stop wearing my Medic Alert Bracelet?
NO! If you have a specific medical condition and routinely wear either a Medic Alert or the similar SOS Talisman bracelet or necklace, you should CONTINUE TO WEAR IT. The Message in a Bottle is NOT designed to replace MEDIC ALERT. The Message in a Bottle scheme is to be used as an extra means of providing information to the Emergency Services when you are at home.