Message in a Bottle is launched for the very first time on
the African Continent!!
We
are very excited about the launch of the Lions' Message in a Bottle scheme in
Port Shepstone. We feel that this scheme is one of the
most important projects ever to be undertaken by our
Club in over 35 years of service to the local
community.
So, what is Message in a Bottle? It is a surprisingly simple idea which
encourages people 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.
The concept offers complete peace of mind in a
personal emergency, when the vulnerable can't speak for themselves.
Having completed a simple form, it is placed it in a container, and stored
either in
the refrigerator or cubby hole (glove compartment) of
a motor vehicle.
Emergency Services are thus alerted to the existence of the container by
stickers placed onto the main door of the house and on
the door of the fridge or on the rear window of a motor vehicle and cover of the
cubby hole (glove compartment). They are able to provide the most appropriate care
without delay.
Bottles and forms can be obtained from Chemists and Doctor's Surgeries in the
area covered by the Port Shepstone Lions Club.
"Message in a Bottle" also provides ready access to information about a frail,
elderly, or disabled person living alone when they require unplanned hospitalisation.
It works when the frail or elderly person keeps details of their doctor,
allergies, blood group and conditions which require medication in a plastic
bottle in their fridge. The participants of the scheme display distinctive
green-cross labels - one on the inside of the home's normal access door and
another on the fridge door, so that emergency services entering the home know
that they can find essential information on that person. An ambulance team
called out to take a person to hospital will ensure that the plastic bottle,
containing the vital information, is taken to the hospital with the patient.
The
plastic bottles, and the form which goes inside it, are provided by the
Port Shepstone Lions Club. Bottles will also be available at
doctor's surgeries and some chemists.
Supporting
Organisations:
The scheme is being supported by all the emergency
services in Port Shepstone area:
and we are also very grateful for the support of:
The South Coast Herald and the South Coast Fever (local
press)
Sponsorship has been and continues to be a
crucial part of the Message in a Bottle Scheme. The Lions Clubs of
Port Shepstone are indebted to the very generous
financial assistance already made by NETCARE.
The official launch
of the scheme took place on 3rd
June 2004 at the
Port Shepstone Lions' Den and was attended by representatives
from all the emergency services within our area, the local council, the local
press and other invited dignitaries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IN THE HOME
Where is the bottle
to be located?.
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 outside 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 borne by the local Lions Clubs and their sponsors as
part of Lions Caring for our Communities.
IN THE
MOTOR VEHICLE
Where is the bottle
to be located?.
The Emergency Services, who are fully
supporting this scheme, will know to look for the bottle there if they are
called to your accident scene as they will have
been alerted to your participation in the scheme by the use of two special
stickers. One is placed on the rear window of your motor vehicle, the other is stuck
on the cover of the cubby hole (glove compartment) within the vehicle.
Why the Cubby Hole (Glove Compartment)?
Firstly,
motor vehicles have a cubby hole (glove compartment), so it enables the Emergency
Services to find your details quickly
and easily as they will know exactly where
to look. Also, the second sticker must be affixed to the rear window of the
motor vehicle as this window is the least likely to be damaged in an accident.
What areas does your scheme cover?
The Lions Club or Port
Shepstone is presently the only club in South Africa that is running this
scheme so the Emergency Services in our area are
already aware that they should check for bottles. We are in
the process of launching this project country wide within the Multiple District
410 (South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho)
Where can I get a bottle?
Local Chemists, Health Centres, and Doctor's
surgeries should have Bottle Kits, i.e. the bottle, a form and stickers. Some
Age Concern groups will also have supplies and, as the scheme expands, other
agencies will have them. You can also send an
e-mail directly
to us for more information.
What information goes into the bottle?
Particpants 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. Each form must have a passport size photo attached to aid
identification.
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.
Click here to download the official "Message in a Bottle"
brochure (Acrobat Reader format)
Click here to download the official "Message in a Bottle"
information form that is placed within the bottle (Acrobat Reader format)
