Consider the scenario: You’ve just been in a car accident and are critically wounded and unconscious. When the emergency medical services first responders arrive, how will they know about your severe allergy to latex and certain medications? Who should they notify that you’ve been brought to a hospital? Once you regain consciousness, wouldn’t you like to know the hospital already has your insurance and other vital information on record?

The Yellow Dot program has the answers. This life-saving program was spearheaded in 2002 by People’s United Bank in Connecticut. Today it is a national program. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department implemented it five years ago and wants you to benefit from it.

The Yellow Dot program is simple in nature. It’s a free program that involves attaching a yellow sticker to your vehicle or near the front door of your home. When EMS first responders see these stickers, they are alerted that the driver, passenger or home occupant has easily accessible, personal medical information. This is information that can help first responders provide appropriate, life-saving medical attention during the Golden Hour after a crash or injury.

When a first responder sees a Yellow Dot decal, they know the injured person’s medical information is located in the designated Yellow Dot space. In vehicles, this space is inside the glove box. In homes, the form is placed in a sealed plastic bag and kept in the freezer. The form is bright yellow and lists medical history, special conditions, medications, allergies, who to contact, insurance information, hospital preference and anything else of a personal nature an individual wants medical staff to know.

“Minutes are precious,” says Sheriff Philip Povero of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.

This is why it’s important the card is clearly visible and not buried under papers in the car or a bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer.

First responders review the information to see if there’s anything that may alter the initial, stabilizing care they provide. They then transport the card with the patient and give it to hospital staff. This is particularly important when direct communication with the injured person is not possible.

Sheriff Povero says he’s seen many situations where the Yellow Dot information has been retrieved and transported with the patient, which is the ultimate goal of the program. The program has been particularly well received by the elderly population, but Povero emphasizes it can be life saving for anyone regardless of age.

“These stickers are viewable on our Ontario County highways,” he says. “It’s a self-reassurance program. You know your documented information will go to hospital personnel even if you cannot communicate.”

However, if you come upon an accident and see a Yellow Dot decal, it is critical you leave the information card in place for EMS first responders. Cards contain private and personal information that is not meant for the general public.