So what information should you carry with you?

Recommendation by the National Institute on Aging:
• Name
• A list of your medical problems
• A list of your medications (including herbs and supplements)
• Name and phone number of your doctor
• Name and phone number of family or close friends
• Whether you wear contact lenses

How would an ER find it?

The best approach is to write your health information on a card you keep right behind your driver's license in your wallet.

Why near your driver's license? "When the paramedics arrive to help you, they grab a wallet or a purse so they'll know who you are," she says. "They do it consistently." When patients arrive in the emergency room, nurses routinely look for their driver's license to locate next of kin".

How about when it's not an emergency?

Keeping a personal health record is important even when you're not in an emergency situation, according to the American Health Information Management Association.

In an emergency situation, you may not be able to speak and give vital information to help alert others concerning your health. Medical providers must sometimes treat accident victims without having any basic medical information about the individual or any way to contact someone who could provide crucial information.

Create a free emergency medical identification card online in a few minutes.

A medical information card would prove to be invaluable in providing treatment by attending medics or other medical personnel. A medical identification bracelet or pendant is recommended to alert emergency medical personnel of your wallet card.