Brendan Smialowski/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesMost travelers know to get immunizations ahead of time and to pack their prescriptions in carry-ons. A new Web site called Emergencylink.com takes health preparedness one step further by allowing travelers to upload their medical records and designate a contact in their social network who has access to their information in case of emergency.
Unlike other paid-plan medical programs, the free service does not arrange treatment or evacuation. Instead, it operates a 24-hour line that emergency medical technicians can call to treat a traveler who is mentally incapacitated. (A traveler’s member ID card includes the number.) Emergencylink.com then provides information, including insurance, medications and allergies, and then calls the emergency contact, who can be patched through to E.M.T.’s and reach out to a traveler’s family members and hospital if a stay is required.
Though intended for medical records, Emergencylink’s data storage can be used to hold digital images of other important travel documents, including passports, driver’s licenses and credit cards.