By Jenna Nielsen
Sierra Star (Oakhurst, California)
Mort Lasnik knows it might save his life.
If the paramedics are ever dispatched to his home in Bass Lake, he knows they will have all the information they need to help him in the event of a medical emergency.
Lasnik participates in a non-profit program called Vial of Life. The local program, through Sierra Ambulance, is called File of Life.
Both programs are similar and Vial of Life is recognized by Sierra Ambulance.
Vial, or file, of life is a form that includes all medical history and important medical information about an individual that is readily available to emergency personnel that may need to respond to an individual’s home.
The form is a health questionnaire that is included with a magnetic holder you can place on the refrigerator or any other magnetic surface.
It also incudes a sticker to place in your front window letting paramedics know where to find vital information to help you communicate in a medical emergency when you may not be able to.
Lasnik said he found out about the program through his friend Sandy, whom he went to visit last October in Arizona.
“She asked if I had ever heard about it,” Lasnik said. “I thought it was a great idea so that is how I got in contact with Sierra Ambulance.”
Lasnik said he got the form and filled it out immediately with all of his medical history and that it is really good for him especially because he lives alone.
“There are a lot of people in this area that live alone,” he said. “If this saves one person’s life up here than it is worth while -- it is all worth it.”
Peggy Guyett, clerical assistant at Sierra Ambulance, said the local program was started a few years ago by one of their staff members.
“The whole idea is to list all of your medications and comments on the form,” Guyett said. “It is basically a heads-up for service people who would have to help you in a medical emergency.”
She said it is especially helpful if an individual was unable to communicate. Paramedics or other personnel can just look on the refrigerator for the information they would need.
“It’s very helpful to the medical technician,” she said. It is also a big security issue for those who live alone. They know the information is up there and will catch someone’s eye if they have to come in on an emergency medical basis.”
Guyett said Sierra Ambulance has forms available, but is out of the magnetic pouches. They will be placing an order for new ones.
Sierra Ambulance is also mailing out a file form with every membership they receive.
The cost is free for those interested in File of Life and it is not necessary to become a member of Sierra Ambulance to participate.
For more information, you can contact Sierra Ambulance at (559) 642-0650.
For now, Lasnik knows his information is safe and accessible.
“It’s like an insurance policy,” Lasnik said. “You don’t ever want to have to use it, but you are glad it’s there.”