IDAIDE News

The ID You Need for Travelling

December 17th, 2008

This year Canadians will make more than 100 million trips outside of the country for the purposes of business and recreation according to Health Canada. And when they travel Canadians are faced with new and different health risks which means they should have their emergency ID in order.

It's each person's responsibility to ensure their access to medical health and that's where IDAIDE can help.

IDAIDE Symbols

IDAIDE uses two symbols on their medical identification; the caduceus (kə-ˈdü-sç-əs) and the star of life.

The caduceus consists of two snakes twined around a winged staff and was originally used in mythology by the Greek god Hermes. It was first a single branch (meant to represent cypress) around which one snake was entwined. This was the ancient symbol of the physician and was originally used by Asclepius, the god of healing.

The star of life consists of the single snake and stick caduceus inside a blunt sided asterisk. This is the emergency medical care symbol originally created in the United States. Each of the six branches of the asterisk represents an aspect of emergency health care: detection, reporting, response, on-scene care, care in transit and transfer to final care.

Known Internationally

These two symbols are both known internationally!

They indicate that there is a health-related issue that must be addressed and they force the responders to learn more before they move ahead.

Once the problem is known then it can be dealt with. Remember that IDAIDE is always there for you.

Some More Advice:
Help for You Outside the Country

When outside of Canada citizens should be aware that officials at the nearest government office can help in case of a problem. Officials can provide information about local medical personnel and facilities; they can provide translation services and report to family back home. They can assist individuals in leaving the country and they can help (in general terms) with medical insurance issues.

Please note that it is very important that you have extra insurance! Outside of Canada very little in the area of health insurance is covered by normal policies and none of it is covered up front.

Foreign Affairs recommend the following when travelling:

Pack an extra supply of your medication in case you are away for longer than expected.
Essential medication should be carried in two different pieces of luggage, in case one should get lost or stolen.
Carry a copy of the original prescription, and ensure that both the generic and trade names of the drug are included in case your medication is lost or stolen. A doctor's note describing why you are taking the medication is also recommended.
If you are taking a less common medication, check to ensure that it is legal and readily available in the country you intend to visit.
If your medication requires sterile syringes or needles, carry a doctor's explanation or medical certificate with you. In many countries where drug trafficking is a problem, a traveller found with syringes and without adequate explanation, could be in serious trouble with the police.
Canadian visitors to the United States should be aware that their personal medication may be subject to U.S. drug importation laws and regulations. In general, personal importation of a 90-day (three month) supply of medication is allowed, but only if the drug is not available in the United States.