The story behind the Medical Information Carrier System

A serious safety item now offered by MSA has its roots in child’s play.

The Medical Information Carrier System (MICS) for the industrial helmet market was developed by MSA with the help of Dr. Louis Gaston, a Pittsburgh chiropractor. Gaston approached Jim Byrnes, MSA’s product manager for industrial head protection, after developing a similar item to be used with children’s bicycle helmets.

“It’s such a simple product,” Byrnes said. “You can’t help but ask, ‘Why didn’t anyone come up with this sooner?’”

The MICS allows the user to record vital medical information on a small card that attaches to the inside of the helmet. In the event of an accident, medical response personnel will have instant access to the helmet wearer’s medical history, allergies, medications, and other miscellaneous data. A sticker attached to the outside of the helmet lets people know that the helmet wearer’s medical information is easily accessible.

“The key now is spreading the word and letting people know what that little sticker means,” Byrnes said. “It tells people that the basic medical information in that tiny pouch could help paramedics or someone in the emergency room with administering treatment.”

Although only recently introduced as an MSA-exclusive industrial safety product, the idea has already been well received. (We covered the MICS in detail on page 2 of the Autumn 2000 issue of Spotlight on Safety.)

MSA has begun developing industry-specific Medical Information Carrier Systems for such workers as S.W.A.T. team members and firefighters. Priced at about $2.50 each, it’s the one piece of equipment your workers can’t afford to be without.

Order the new MICS bulletin for more details, contact your MSA distributor or MSA’s Customer Service.