iPhone setting helps save lives

Posted By: Laurann Robinson

lrobinson@klkntv.com

We want to tell you about an iPhone setting that could help emergency crews save your life.

The setting can show any allergies or medical conditions you may have, as well as name an emergency contact to call.

All while your iPhone is still locked.

In an emergency, every second is valuable.

And if you’re left unconscious or unable to speak, emergency responders need to know things like, what you’re allergic to and if you have any medical conditions.

"It’s very important. We collect a person’s medical history on every call," said Chief Eric Jones with Lincoln Fire Department.

with the "Medical ID" iPhone setting, emergency responders could know how to treat you, as well as notify your emergency contact… all without having to go through your phone and decipher who to call.

Chief Jones adds, "this feature’s really nice because we can get that information and we’re not digging around in your phone. We don’t want to dig around in people’s phones anyway."

Here’s how it works…

Inside most iPhones, you’ll find an application called "health"…

inside the "health" app, you can click the "Medical ID" tab and fill out the information.

So now, when your phone is locked, anyone can slide to the passcode screen, hit the "emergency" button, then press "Medical ID".

And all the information someone would need to help you would be displayed.

"I would say over that last few years, we actually really quit trying because so many people lock their phones, and their information on their phones, and have 300 contacts in their phones," said Chief Jones.

If you’d like to know if these types of settings are available for non–iPhone users, you should contact your cellular provider.