Would Someone Know Where to Find Your Emergency Information?
Recently, I had the opportunity to give a short presentation to the Parkinson’s Sunshine Coast Central Group about setting up Emergency Contacts and Medical ID on a smartphone.
It was only a 20-minute presentation, but it reinforced something I feel very strongly about — more people need to know these features are already available on their phones and how to use them.
The group's response was very positive, and it was lovely to see how something relatively simple could be so useful.
Knowing it’s there is not the same as knowing how to use it
A few people were aware that their phone had an Emergency or Medical ID feature. Some had seen it before but hadn’t worked out how to access it, what information to add, or how to go back and update it.
That’s something I come across quite often with technology. The feature may already be there, but unless someone shows you where to find it and how it works, it’s easy to leave it untouched.
During the presentation, we looked at the type of information that can be added and how someone can access it in an emergency.
“But where did my Emergency information go?”
This was an interesting moment during the session.
After adding their information, some people wanted to check what another person would see in an emergency.
But when they picked up their own phone, Face ID recognised them and unlocked the phone straight away!
That gave us a great opportunity to explain an important point: Emergency Contacts and Medical ID are designed to be accessible from the locked screen, before someone has logged into the phone.
So, if you are unable to unlock your phone yourself, another person may still be able to access the emergency information you have chosen to make available.
It was a small thing, but once we explained it, it made much more sense.
Handy for your next medical appointment too
Another idea that interested the group was having important health information stored together on their phone.
Having information such as medications, medical conditions, allergies and emergency contacts recorded on your phone can also give you something handy to refer to when you’re next visiting your GP or specialist.
Of course, that also makes it important to check the information occasionally and keep it up to date.
Sometimes 20 minutes is enough to make a difference
Our presentation was short, but afterwards those who wanted a little extra help could come up, ask questions and double-check things on their own phones.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about digital mentoring.
Sometimes people don’t need a long technology lesson. They just need someone to show them where to look, explain it in plain language and give them the confidence to try it themselves.
I’d love to share this information with more people in our community.
Medical ID and Emergency Contacts: Would you know where to find yours?
If you’re not sure whether your Emergency Contacts or Medical ID are set up — or you can’t remember the last time you checked them — our next Emergency Contacts & Medical ID workshop is coming up in Caloundra.
We’ll work through it together, step by step, using your own smartphone.
You’ll learn how to set up or update your emergency information, where to find it, and how to access it from your locked phone.
Friendly, practical and designed for beginners.
Want to know more?
Not sure whether your Emergency Contacts or Medical ID are set up correctly? Come along to our next practical workshop in Caloundra, and we’ll work through it together, step by step.
