DNR Guidelines for Medical ID Wearers

A medical ID allows you to communicate your choice when you cannot speak for yourself. A DNR or Do Not Resuscitate request is usually made by the patient or health care power of attorney and allows the medical teams taking care of them to respect the patient’s wishes.

Wearing a DNR bracelet or necklace has become standard way for people to communicate their choice of a natural death over life. These choices can be difficult to make so it is best to reference additional resources and take legal advice to ensure you have a valid DNR order.

Other terms for a DNR Order include:

• No CPR
• NFR (Not for resuscitation)
• NFAR (Not for attempted resuscitation)
• DNAR (do not attempt resuscitation)
• AND (allow natural death).

In Australia, CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) will not be performed if a valid written "DNR" order is present. Although laws vary across the country, it is typical for emergency medical services personnel who are presented with a valid DNR form, signed by your doctor, or who identify a standard DNR bracelet on you, to comply with the DNR.

To review important information and learn more, there are many available resources, such as Right at Home.

* The above is general information provided by Universal Medical ID and is not guidance on the requirements of a proper DNR.