Each year millions of people receive emergency medical care abroad — in countries where the treating doctor speaks a different language, uses different drug names and has no access to your medical history. This is preventable with a small amount of preparation.
What to carry
- Current medication list — generic names, doses and frequencies; brand names vary internationally
- Allergy list — including specific reactions (anaphylaxis, rash, GI intolerance) and the trigger
- Blood type — typed on a card in English and, if possible, the local language
- Known diagnoses — especially diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, coagulation disorders
- Emergency contact — including someone in your home country who knows your full medical history
- Insurance documents and emergency contact number for your insurer
- Any implant cards — pacemakers, joint replacements; required before some medical procedures and security scanning
- Vaccination record — particularly for yellow fever in endemic-area travel, which requires a certificate
Digital vs physical records
Carry a physical card for the most critical information — blood type, allergies, key diagnoses — because a phone battery or internet connection cannot always be guaranteed in an emergency. A QR code linking to your Looms Emergency Card is an excellent backup: a healthcare provider anywhere in the world can scan it and access your critical medical information instantly.
Email a PDF summary of your records to yourself before departure so it's accessible from any device or internet café in an emergency. Inform a trusted contact at home where your records are and how to access them if needed.