Question 1

Is my Directive legally binding?

Accepted Answer

Advance Medical Directives are recognized in all US states and most countries. The document becomes legally binding once signed and witnessed according to your jurisdiction's requirements. bloodless.org generates the document — you handle the legal formalities (signing, witnessing, and in some jurisdictions, notarization).

Question 2

Does my Directive work in other states or countries?

Accepted Answer

Most jurisdictions recognize advance Directives from other states/countries, but requirements vary. Some states require specific witness counts or notarization. If you travel frequently, consider noting multiple jurisdictions in your special instructions.

Question 3

What if the hospital refuses to follow my Directive?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare providers are generally required to honor valid advance Directives. If a provider has a conscientious objection, they must transfer your care to a willing provider. Your Healthcare Agent can advocate on your behalf. Document any refusal to honor your Directive.

Question 4

Do I need a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

No. Advance Directives are designed to be completed without legal assistance. However, if you have complex medical situations or jurisdiction-specific concerns, consulting an attorney familiar with healthcare law may be helpful.

Question 5

What happens to my account and Directives if I die?

Accepted Answer

Your printed and signed Directive remains legally valid no matter what happens to your online account — the paper document is the legal instrument, not the account. For the online side: the upcoming Family Plan will let you put a successor on file, a trusted adult who can contact our support team to take over managing the plan after identity verification. Without a successor on file, a family member or your estate's representative can contact support, which follows an identity-verification and notice process. See the Plan Continuity page in this guide for details.

Question 6

What happens if I'm unconscious and no one finds my Directive?

Accepted Answer

This is why the wallet card and phone setup matter. Keep the wallet card with you at all times. Set up your phone's Medical ID (iPhone) or Emergency Information (Android) so first responders can see your decisions from the lock screen. The QR code on the wallet card links to your full Directive.

Question 7

What if my Healthcare Agent is unreachable?

Accepted Answer

That's why you designate an alternate agent. If neither is reachable, the Directive itself still speaks for you — your Accept/Refuse decisions are clear. "Personal Decision" items may default to the medical team's judgment in extreme emergencies.

Question 8

Can emergency doctors override my Directive?

Accepted Answer

In most jurisdictions, emergency physicians must honor valid advance Directives even in emergencies. However, if there's any doubt about the Directive's validity or your identity, they may act to preserve life while trying to verify. This is why carrying identification alongside your wallet card is important.

Question 9

What does "Personal Decision" mean in a crisis?

Accepted Answer

It means you've delegated that specific decision to your Healthcare Agent. In a crisis, the medical team should contact your agent for those items. Your Accept and Refuse decisions remain absolute regardless.

Question 10

Where is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

In your browser's local storage on your device. Nothing is sent to a server. There is no database, no cloud sync, no account system. If you clear your browser data, your Directive data is gone.

Question 11

Can bloodless.org see my Directive?

Accepted Answer

No. We have no server-side storage and no analytics that capture personal data. We literally cannot see what you enter. The app runs entirely in your browser.

Question 12

What happens if I lose my phone?

Accepted Answer

Your printed Directive and wallet card still work. If you set up Medical ID on your new phone and still have the browser data (or a JSON export), you can restore everything. Consider exporting your data periodically as a backup.

Question 13

How do I delete everything?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings and click "Delete all data." This permanently erases all Directive data from your browser. Printed copies and shared QR links are not affected — those exist outside the app.

Question 14

What's the difference between "Refuse" and "Personal Decision"?

Accepted Answer

Refuse is absolute — you do not consent under any circumstances. Personal Decision means you defer to your Healthcare Agent, or reserve the right to decide in the moment. "Refuse" is a hard no. "Personal Decision" is "it depends — ask my agent."

Question 15

Can I change my choices later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Return to the editor at any time and update your choices. Print a new copy, update your phone, and give the new version to your agent and doctor. The most recent signed version supersedes all previous ones.

Question 16

What if I'm not sure about a specific blood product?

Accepted Answer

Use "Personal Decision" for items you're unsure about. This delegates the decision to your Healthcare Agent. You can also read the detailed guide for each item at /guide/blood-choices to help you decide.

Question 17

Do I have to decide on all 10 items?

Accepted Answer

No. You can leave items undecided. However, an incomplete Directive may cause confusion in an emergency. At minimum, decide on the four primary components (whole blood, red cells, plasma, platelets).

Question 18

What are "blood fractions" vs "primary components"?

Accepted Answer

Primary components are the four main parts of donated blood: whole blood, packed red cells, plasma, and platelets. Blood fractions are smaller derivatives extracted from primary components: albumin, immunoglobulins, and clotting factors. Many people who refuse primary components consider fractions a personal decision.

Question 19

How do I verify this is a legitimate Directive?

Accepted Answer

The document should be signed and witnessed. The QR code links to a digital version for verification. Contact the Healthcare Agent listed on the card. Treat it with the same weight as any other advance Directive presented in your facility.

Question 20

What's the legal standing of a digital Directive?

Accepted Answer

The digital version (QR code link) is a reference copy. The legally binding version is the signed, witnessed paper document. However, in an emergency, the digital version provides immediate guidance about the patient's decisions while the paper document is located.

Question 21

How do I contact the patient's Healthcare Agent?

Accepted Answer

The agent's name and phone number are on the wallet card. If the information appears encrypted, a passcode is required — ask the patient (if conscious), the alternate agent, or check the patient's phone Medical ID for notes.

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