AU2018202593A1 - Garment configured to assist in a medical emergency - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment, for example a swimming garment or rash vest is disclosed. The garment includes a medical information display panel. The medical information display panel is concealable and selectively exposable. The garment may be marked with directions for exposing the medical information. MAKE SURE THERE IS NO DANGER 126 CHECK FOR RE .SPONSE CLEAR AIR WAY LBBAUSTEN AND FEEL FOR BREAKING 132 CP3EATHS 30 COMPRESSION 132

Description

GARMENT CONFIGURED TO ASSIST IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garments worn by persons in potential need of emergency medical or paramedical assistance. In particular, the invention relates to garments configured to assist a helper in the treatment of a person in need of emergency medical or paramedical assistance.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

For many reasons, an individual may require emergency medical or paramedical assistance. In some circumstances, the individual has a known medical condition that has the propensity to exacerbate at some time in the future. For example, a person suffering from diabetes or epilepsy or a heart condition may have an increased likelihood of requiring emergency treatment for their condition.

In other situations, the person has no known medical condition but nevertheless has an increased likelihood of requiring medical or paramedical assistance due to participation in an activity. For example, a child that is playing in or about water has an increased risk of drowning. As another example, a worker carrying our maintenance on a high tension electricity line is at an increased risk of electrocution.

Irrespective of how the need for medical or paramedical intervention arises, a helper coming to the assistance of a patient in a medical emergency often has insufficient knowledge so as to best treat the patient. In some circumstances, the helper is unable to ascertain the nature of the medical emergency. For example, an individual that has lost consciousness may have suffered cardiac arrest, a hypoglycaemic episode or epileptic fit. Of course, the treatment for these respective conditions is very different.

An incorrect assumption as to the patient’s medical condition may delay commencement of the correct treatment and lead to unnecessary morbidity or even death. In other situation, inappropriate treatment can in fact do more harm than good.

The prior art provides various means for alerting a helper to a patient’s medical history. One well used means is the MedicAlert™ range of jewellery whereby a patient’s medical details are engraved onto a metallic disk worn on a bracelet or necklace. These items of jewellery are made deliberately so as to be generally small and unobtrusive, and accordingly very little information can be recorded on them. These items are useful where the helper is medically or paramedically qualified and immediately understands the patient’s clinical needs. A MedicalAlert™ bracelet may be inscribed simply with “diabetic” in which case an appropriately trained person may diagnose hypoglycaemia and attempt to administer a sugar-based food the patient. However, an untrained person may just try to give the patient a glass of water which of course will afford no benefit whatsoever.

In other circumstances, the nature of the medical emergency is clear, but the helper is unsure as to how to best treat the patient. As one example, a child pulled unconscious from the water is very likely to be in a mid to late-stage of drowning and may even be clinically dead. A helper attending the child will almost certainly recognise the medical emergency, and furthermore is likely to know that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be immediately commenced. However, many individuals lack the first aid training required to properly perform CPR, and accordingly many drowning victims die because of a helper’s lack of knowledge in the area. A helper may have the appropriate CPR training, but is in a state of panic and is not able to assess the patient and effectively perform CPR in an orderly manner.

In some circumstances, the helper has been trained in the performance of CPR some time ago but more effective methods have since been developed for which the helper has no knowledge. In that case, the patient may receive less than optimal emergency treatment. In other circumstances, the helper may recall the methods used to resuscitate an adult, but do not know the modified protocols for the treatment of a child.

It is recognised that many water recreation facilities such as swimming pools and spas have printed instructions and diagrams posted on a wall detailing the most recent resuscitation techniques. However, it is often the case that a helper cannot see the instructions clearly from the position where the patient is being treated. Alternative, CPR instructional signage may be located completely out of sight, worn by the sun, visually obstructed or in a state of disrepair. Accordingly, the helper must run between the sign and the patient (thereby wasting valuable time), or ask a third party near the sign to shout out instructions.

It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate a problem of the prior art by providing means to impart information on a medical condition suffered by a patient, and/or methods for treating an individual in a medical emergency.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a garment comprising a medical information display panel, the garment configured such that the medical information display panel is concealable at a first point in time, and selectively exposable at a second point in time.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the medical information display panel is a fabric and the medical information is displayed on the fabric.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the medical information displayed on the medical information display panel is information relating to (i) a medical condition of the garment wearer and/or (ii) information relating to a treatment of the wearer.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the information relating to a treatment of the wearer is cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructional information.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment comprises one or more regions of fabric configured to be capable of alternately concealing and exposing the medical information display panel.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more regions of fabric is/are operable to alternately conceal and expose the medical information display panel by way of a manually operated closure means.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the manually operated closure means is capable of reversibly fastening a first region of fabric to a second region of fabric.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the manually operated closure means is a complementary closure means comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being capable of alternately engaging and disengaging.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the complementary closure means is elected from the group consisting of a zip, a hook-and-loop fastening means, a press stud, a button, a hook-and-eye fastening means, a toggle, a lacing, a tie or a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the medical information display panel is configured so as to fold upon itself when the manually operated closure means is engaged so as to conceal the medical information display panel.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the medical information display panel has disposed along a first region or edge a first part of the complementary closure means, and along a second opposed region or edge a second part of the complementary closure means.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment comprises a tearable or frangible region which conceals the medical information display panel at a first point in time, and after tearing at a second point in time exposes the medical information display panel.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment comprises indicium viewable by a helper, the indicium indicating the presence of concealed medical information.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the indicium includes instructions for exposing the concealed medical information.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment has a front side and the indicium is disposed about an upper region and on the front side of the garment.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment has a neck region, and the indicium is disposed about the neck region.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the indicium is disposed proximal to the closure means.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured to be worn on the upper body.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the medical information display panel is, in use, located over the front torso region of a wearer.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured to be worn in or about water.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured as a rash vest.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured to be protective of a wearer in an industrial workplace.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured to be worn in a sporting activity.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the garment is configured to appear the same or similar to a regular daytime outer garment when the medical information display panel is concealed.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for instructing a helper to assist a an individual in a medical emergency, the method providing the steps of exposing a medical information display panel of a garment according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the step of exposing the medical information display panel comprises the step of opening a closure means of the garment.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises the step of performing any instructions displayed on the medical information display panel.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for disposing medical information about the body of an individual in a concealed manner, the method comprising the steps of providing the garment of any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention and concealing the medical information display panel.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the step of concealing the medical information display panel comprises the step of closing a closure means of the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a photograph a child wearing a highly preferred garment of the present invention. The garment is shown in the open position, with the zipper-halves disengaged so as to reveal an underlying fabric panel having CPR instructions printed thereon. FIG. 2 is a representation of the CPR instructions printed on the fabric panel of the garment of FIG. 1 FIG. 3 is a photograph a child wearing a highly preferred garment of the present invention. The garment is shown in the open position, with the zipper-halves engaged so as to conceal the fabric panel having CPR instructions printed thereon. FIG. 4 is magnified view of a portion of the photograph of FIG. 3 to show in greater detail the indicia about the neck region and chest region of the garment. FIG. 5 shows a fabric pattern used in the production of the garments shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

It is not represented that any embodiment disclosed herein has all advantages disclosed herein. Some embodiments may have a single advantage while others may represent merely a useful alternative to the prior art.

The present invention is predicated at least in part on the Applicant’s finding that a garment can be configured to conceal and selectively expose desired medical information for consideration by a helper in a medical emergency. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention the medical information is printed onto a concealed panel of the garment, with the garment configured so as to allow exposure of the panel in the course of a medical emergency. Exposure of the panel provides the helper with information that will assist in achieving a positive clinical outcome for the patient wearing the garment. It is proposed that the ability to conceal and selectively expose medical information is advantageous for a wearer of the garment.

Where the medical information discloses a medical condition suffered by the wearer (such as epilepsy) the privacy of the wearer is protected by concealing the information until such a time as the issue of privacy is eclipsed by the need to assist a helper seeking to assist the wearer in the course of a grand mal fit.

Where the medical information relates to instructions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the constant display of such information on the garment of a child during recreational swimming may lead to anxiety and apprehension in the child about spending time in the water. A child wearing such a garment (and also surrounding children) may therefore derive less pleasure from playing in the water where they are constantly reminded of the dangers of drowning. In some circumstances, the child may completely avoid water given the danger of drowning, and may therefore never learn to swim or be confident in the water. Moreover, some adult wearers may feel embarrassment at having resuscitation instructions displayed on their person as it may signify them as being overly careful or otherwise unduly obsessed with safety.

Quite apart from sparing the wearer and others any anxiety or embarrassment, the inclusion of medical information provides an advantage in so far as improved clinical outcome if a medical emergency may result. When displayed on the patient, the medical information is immediately visible and easily comprehended by a helper. Where a wearer of the present garment is unconscious, the medical information may be readily exposed and comprehended by a helper whilst the helper is still at the patient’s side. There is no need for the helper to telephone a qualified person for advice or run to resuscitation instructions posted on a nearby wall in order to immediately and effectively assist the patient. As will be appreciated, where the patient is in an advanced stage of drowning, the brain is being starved by oxygen (due to cessation of breathing, cardiac activity, or both) and any delay in commencing CPR can result in significant brain damage or even death.

Reference is now made to the drawings to assist in further explaining and defining various aspects and embodiments on the invention. Turning firstly to FIG. 1 there is shown a garment 100 of the present invention configured as a “rashie” top as typically worn by adults and children around water. The normal function of a rashie top is to protect the wearer from the sun and also from any skin abrasion that may be caused by surfboard riding. A rashie top may or may not have sleeves, and in some embodiment may have short sleeves. These garments are typically made from relatively thin and elastically stretchable materials such as spandex, nylon or polyester which are lightweight, quick drying, flexible, durable, and water wicking. Another feature of a rash top include flatlock stitching. Flatlock stitching creates a seam where the seam allowances lies flat to the garment instead of extending outwardly from it, and increases the strength of the garment for intense exercise or recreational activities. The garment may be fabricated by a six panel or more conventional four panel T-shirt construction as is known to the person skilled in the art.

The garment of FIG. 1 is shown as worn by a child 102, and having the medical information printed in white onto on a red fabric panel 104, and therefore viewable by a helper (not shown) seeking to assist the wearer. In this exemplary embodiment, the medical information is general information that is not specific to the wearer, and details the steps (in order) that should be taken by the helper in the event that the child is pulled unconscious from the water.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the medical information is printed by a sublimation process. This process is well known to the skilled artisan, and applicable to polyester fabrics. This type of printing is relatively stable, and is therefore preferred for fabric panels that are likely to be exposed to the sun, chlorinated water, salt water and the like.

Reference is made now to FIG. 2 which is a representation of the instructions (medical information) of the garment 100 shown in FIG. 1. The steps are designated by bold ordinal numbering 106 which alerts the helper to the importance of the order that the instructional steps are carried out.

The first instruction 108 is to remove the patient from danger, and to ensure others are in no danger. The second instruction 110 is to check the patient for a response by asking his/her name and squeezing his/her shoulders. Two decision boxes 112 are provided instructing what to do if there is no response (i.e. call for help), and what to do if the patient responds (i.e. make patient comfortable). The third instruction 114 (i.e. call an emergency service) is carried out if there is no response from the patient, with the appropriate telephone number (i.e. 000) recited. The fourth instruction 116 is to clear the patient’s airway (place patient on back and remove any foreign matter), and then follows the fifth instruction 118 which is to check for breathing.

Decision boxes 120 are provided: if the patient is breathing he/she is placed on their side, and if not breathing execute the sixth instruction 122 which is to commence CPR.

The CPR instructions state in large font the ratio of breaths (in this example, “2”) to chest compressions (in this example, “30”)· Subsidiary instructions are provided to guide the helper how to position the patient for CPR, how to administer a breath by mouth-to-mouth means, and how to properly compress the chest and at what rate.

The CPR instructions shown on the garment of FIG. 2 are specific for a child, but may be applicable at least in part in the resuscitation of an infant or an adult. It will be appreciated that different instructions may be provided for a garment configured to fit an adult or an infant. The anatomy and physiology of a child or infant, and the types of dangers they face are different than adults; so the emergency assistance provided to an adult may cause more harm than good if used on a child or an infant.

The order of steps may change depending on the age of the patient. Some authorities recommend commencing CPR on an infant or child before calling for emergency assistance, this being the opposite of the steps recommend where the patient is an adult. Another difference arises because children have smaller chests than adults, and accordingly the depth of compressions should be only one and a half inches for a child. A further difference with infant CPR is in the step of checking for a response where squeezing the shoulder is not advised and instead the appropriate instruction is to gently stroke the infant or tap the soles of the feet and watch for movement. Thus, in one embodiment that garment is configured such that the size of the garment (which is roughly relative to the age of a wearer) determines the instructions displayed on the medical information display panel.

It will be appreciated that the panel 104 is relatively large, and in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 traverses the entire front torso of the wearer. This allows for the instructions to be printed in large font and for the use of graphics 124 to assist the helper in comprehending the text. For reasons of embarrassment or the danger of creating anxiety in the wearer, the use of such prominent instructions would be otherwise contraindicated. The ability to conceal and then selectively expose the instructions by special configuration of the present garment is therefore important in providing for display of such large and clear instructions that does not lead to embarrassment or anxiety. A helper facing the task of assisting a drowning person will be under significant stress and is significantly more likely to comprehend instruction information when set out in a form using large font, and preferably large graphics. A better instructed helper is more likely to produce a better clinical outcome for the patient.

It will be noted that each lateral edge of the fabric panel 104 is fitted with a zipper-half 126, with the two zipper-halves 126 being mutually engagable in the usual maimer. The zipper-halves are brought together to close the garment, in a manner consistent with the closing of a prior art garment such as a jacket or a track suit top. The zipper-halves 126 are engaged at the bottom via a standard box and pin arrangement (not marked), and the pull tab 128 urged upwardly by the wearer (or his/her carer) up to the top stop 130 or thereabouts. Distinct from a prior art garment, the present garment comprises the fabric panel 104 which extends across the zipper-halves 126. By this arrangement, it will be appreciated that the present garment must be slipped over the wearers head (as for putting on a pullover) and then zipped up to conceal the fabric panel 104 with instructions.

The tape portion (not shown) of each zipper-half is sewn into the seam joining the front panel 132 of the garment with the fabric panel so as to unite the front panel 132, fabric panel 104 and the tape of zipper-half 126.

In the process of zipping up the garment, the lateral regions of the fabric panel 104 are caused to fold inwardly and toward the centre of the panel 104. Thus, three layers of fabric overly the wearer’s chest and abdominal areas: first and second layers contributed by the folded panel 104 and the third layer contributed by the garment front 132. It has been found that this arrangement provides no discomfort to the wearer, who generally cannot tell any difference between wearing the present garment and a similar prior art garment not having a fabric panel inserted across two-zipper halves. FIG. 3 shows the garment 100 having the zipper-halves 126 fully engaged so as to completely conceal the underlying fabric panel having CPR instructions printed thereon. It will be noted that when zipped (as shown in FIG. 3), the garment has substantially the appearance of a prior art garment. One difference is noted however in the inclusion of the relatively small indicium 134 near the neck region of the garment 100. In this embodiment, the indium 134 is white printed text reciting “unzip for CPR”. The text of the indicium 134 is not overly apparent from a distance but placed in a position noticeable to a helper in close proximity to the wearer. The helper will tend to look at the wearer’s face from close range and is likely to see the indicium 134. The indicium 134 instructs the helper to unzip the zip-halves 126. The indicium 134 also being disposed adjacent to the zip tab 128 so as to make apparent to the helper the position of the zip tab 128.

The garment 100 also includes a larger indicium 136 “rescue rashie” with a logo that provides a further indicator to the helper to look for instructional material about the garment. Overtime, the mark “rescue rashie” and/or the logo may become well known amongst the general public such that a helper may not even need to be prompted by the smaller indicium 134 at the neck region to unzip the garment.

In FIG. 3, because the garment is fabricated from relatively thin polyester elastane material, the folded fabric panel 104 is partially visible. The edges of the underlying folded panel 104 are indicated by the dotted lines 138.

Reference is made to FIG. 4 which shows more clearly the arrangement of the indicia 134,136, the zip tab 128 and engaged zipper-halves 126.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows a pattern showing the shape of fabric pieces cut so as to provide, when sewn, the garment of FIGS 1 and 2. The fabric pieces include the fabric panel 104, two front pieces 132, and a back piece 140 (sleeves are not shown, but are of a standard construction). The tape of each zipper-half (not shown) is sewn into the seams 142 and 144 formed between the front pieces 132 and fabric panel 104.

The rashie top shown in the FIG. 1 is typically put on by an individual before engaging in a potentially dangerous activity about water. For example, a parent may dress their child in such a garment before a trip to the beach. The parent may derive some comfort that in the unfortunate event of the child being the victim of a drowning or near drowning, a rescuer (helper) will at least have sufficient information so as to perform potentially lifesaving CPR. In the absence of such information, the child may not be resuscitated and die.

While the present invention has been described mainly by reference to a rashie garment configured to display CPR instructions, a skilled person having the full benefit of the present specification is enabled to conceive of other related configurations and applications.

The garment may be configured to be applicable for use in a workplace environment where an adult worker is in danger of being involved in a medical emergency in the course of his/her work. As one example, a worker may be operating in a confined space (such as welding in a substantially closed metal tank) and may therefore be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In such an embodiment, the garment may be configured as a heavy duty work jacket having high visibility panels. The medical information display panel may inform a helper attending to an unconscious worker to firstly exit the tank (to save the helper from losing consciousness) and to return with two sets of breathing apparatus: one for the helper and the other for the unconscious worker. Instructions on to how to apply the breathing apparatus mask and commencing oxygen dispensation are also provided.

In another embodiment, the garment may be configured as ordinary outerwear such as a shirt, T-shirt, pullover or jacket. For example, the exemplary rashie top disclosed herein could be reconfigured by alteration in materials (for example, with the use of cotton fabric) and construction (for example by the addition of a structured collar) to have the appearance and function of a regular jacket. The fabric medical information display panel of a jacket embodiment may extend across the torso of the wearer as for the exemplary rashie top. This form of the invention will find use for individuals having pre-existing medical conditions which lead to a medical emergency when at work or other public place where normal outerwear is conventionally worn. In that circumstance, the medical information display panel may (i) identify the medical condition of the individual and (ii) provide instruction how to best assist the individual.

The garment may also take the form of a swim shirt, which is a garment generally more loose fitting than a rashie top. AS another alternative, the present garment may be configured as sportswear, such as those worn in sports such as rugby union, rugby league, Australian rules football, gridiron, soccer and the like. In such sports, a participant may suffer a cardiac event (especially for older participants) and require resuscitation. Head and neck injuries are also not uncommon, and accordingly the medical information display panel may include instructions to stabilise the player’s neck with a towel or a dedicated neck brace in the event of injury.

The medical information display panel may be alternately concealed and exposed by various means. For example, the medical information may be displayed on the inside of a garment, with a garment edge (such as a sleeve edge of bottom edge) being capable of being turned outwardly so as to expose the medical information on the reverse side. The panel in such a circumstance may be fastened to the inside of the garment by a laundering-resistant adhesive. Discrete indicium may be disposed on the outer side of the garment (again by way of an adhesively applied panel) to indicate the present of underlying medical information. In another form, the individual may wear an alter bracelet having instructions to seek treatment information on the inside of the garment sleeve.

In other embodiments, the garment may comprise a simple fabric flap to conceal medical information, with the flap which hinges on the front of the garment which can be pulled downwardly so as to reveal medical information printed on the underlying garment and also the rear side of the flap.

The closure means may be any means capable of engaging and disengaging to alternately conceal and expose a medical information panel with Velcro™ means being useful in many circumstances given the speed at which the two halves may be disengaged to reveal the information.

In another embodiment there may be no closure means per se, and the fabric information panel may be configured to be rolled up and stowed inside a pocket so as to conceal it. The pocket may have indicium printed on an outer face alerting a helper to the availability of medical information therein. A tab or string may be affixed to the fabric information panel, with the free end of the tab or string extending outside the pocket so as to facilitate removal of the panel.

The medical information may be printed onto, or otherwise disposed onto or incorporated into the fabric medical information panel. The information may be specific to the wearer, and may relate to a condition suffered by the wearer which may be important information in assisting a helper where the wearer has had a medical emergency and is unresponsive. Such information may include the identification of a severe allergy which triggers anaphylaxis, epilepsy, asthma, a cardiac condition, and the like. The information may further include diagnostic information to assist the helper in diagnosing the wearer’s condition, such as the confusion noted in persons entering hypoglycaemic shock. The information may further included treatment information, such as instructions to locate and use an EpiPen™ epinephrine injector on a person in anaphylactic shock.

The fabric of the medical information panel is typically a textile, and generally the same or similar textile as that used to construct the garment as a whole. Non-textile fabrics such as Non-woven materials (such as flexible polymers, or felts) may be used in place.

In some embodiments, the garment may be configured to provide means to hold and conceal small articles that may assist in a medical emergency. Where the medical information comprises CPR instructions, the article may be a plastic protector to prevent contact between the helper and patient. Where the wearer is an asthmatic, the article may be an asthma puffer containing salbutamol. Where the wearer has a heart condition, the article may be a sublingual tablet such as nitroglycerin. Where the wearer has an allergy, the article may be an EpiPen™. In these embodiments, the article may be contained in a small pocket disposed on or about the medical information panel so as to (i) be concealed by the same means (such as a fabric flap) and/or (ii) immediately apparent to a helper viewing the medical information.

The equipment holding means may be in the form of a small pocket, hook, string or other contrivance disposed on or about the medical information display panel. A large arrow printed onto the medical information display panel may direct a helper’s attention to the item of equipment.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of the various exemplified embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It will be further appreciated that any of the features of any aspect of the invention disclosed herein are all combinable with each other in any number and in any combination without any limitation whatsoever. The ability to combine any features in any number to provide a range of combinations extends to features defined in the following claims.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A garment comprising a medical information display panel, the garment configured such that the medical information display panel is concealable at a first point in time, and selectively exposable at a second point in time.
2. 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the medical information display panel is a fabric and the medical information is displayed on the fabric.
3. 3. The garment of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the medical information displayed on the medical information display panel is information relating to (i) a medical condition of the garment wearer and/or (ii) information relating to a treatment of the wearer.
4. 4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the information relating to a treatment of the wearer is cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructional information.
5. 5. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising one or more regions of fabric configured to be capable of alternately concealing and exposing the medical information display panel.
6. 6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the one or more regions of fabric is/are operable to alternately conceal and expose the medical information display panel by way of a manually operated closure means.
7. 7. The garment of claim 6 wherein the manually operated closure means is capable of reversibly fastening a first region of fabric to a second region of fabric.
8. 8. The garment of claim 7 wherein the manually operated closure means is a complementary closure means comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being capable of alternately engaging and disengaging.
9. 9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the complementary closure means is elected from the group consisting of a zip, a hook-and-loop fastening means, a press stud, a button, a hook-and-eye fastening means, a toggle, a lacing, a tie, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
10. 10. The garment of any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the medical information display panel is configured so as to fold upon itself when the manually operated closure means is engaged so as to conceal the medical information display panel.
11. 11. The garment of any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the medical information display panel has disposed along a first region or edge a first part of the complementary closure means, and along a second opposed region or edge a second part of the complementary closure means.
12. 12. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the garment comprises a tearable or frangible region which conceals the medical information display panel at a first point in time, and after tearing at a second point in time exposes the medical information display panel.
13. 13. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising indicium viewable by a helper, the indicium indicating the presence of concealed medical information.
14. 14. The garment of claim 13 wherein the indicium includes instructions for exposing the concealed medical information.
15. 15. The garment of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the garment has a front side and the indicium is disposed about an upper region and on the front side of the garment.
16. 16. The garment of claim 15 wherein the garment has a neck region, and the indicium is disposed about the neck region.
17. 17. The garment of any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the indicium is disposed proximal to the closure means.
18. 18. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 17 configured to be worn on the upper body.
19. 19. The garment of claim 18 wherein the medical information display panel is, in use, located over the front torso region of a wearer.
20. 20. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 19 configured to be worn in or about water.
21. 21. The garment of claim 20 configured as a rash vest.
22. 22. The garment of any one of claim 1 to 19 configured to be protective of a wearer in an industrial workplace.
23. 23. The garment of any one of claim 1 to 19 configured to be worn in a sporting activity.
24. 24. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 19 configured to appear the same or similar to a regular daytime outer garment when the medical information display panel is concealed.
25. 25. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 24 substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to any of the accompanying drawings.