Share equipment safely
Used medical equipment can change lives, but it is given as-is. These habits keep givers and receivers safe.
Plan a safe pickup
Meet in a public, well-lit place, or have someone with you for a home pickup. Share your address only when you are comfortable.
Inspect before you take it
Check that it powers on, parts and chargers are included, brakes and locks work, and nothing is cracked or frayed.
Check for recalls
Look up the brand and model in the FDA medical device recall database before listing or using an item.
Clean it well
Donors clean items to a reasonable standard for their type, or say clearly that they have not. Seekers clean again before use.
Protect your privacy
Use shared contact details only to arrange a handoff, never share financial details, and leave health information out of listings, requests and stories.
Ask a professional
Have a qualified healthcare professional or biomedical technician check respiratory, mobility and electrical equipment before use.
Pickup checklist
- Meet in a public, well-lit place, or have someone with you for a home pickup.
- Use the contact details you both agreed to share only to arrange the handoff, and never share financial details. Items are always free.
- Inspect the item before taking it: check for damage, missing parts and the model number for recalls on fda.gov.
- Have a qualified professional check medical equipment before use.
- If anything feels wrong, leave and report the connection.
Items that cannot be shared
Single-use items (like CPAP masks, tubing and catheters), custom-fitted items (like hearing aids and TLSO braces) and devices that need professional calibration cannot be listed. Oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, hospital beds and patient lifts can be listed with an extra safety notice. See the full Restricted Items Policy.
If something goes wrong
Leave if anything feels unsafe, and call 911 in an emergency. Then use Report on the listing, conversation or rating, or contact us. A moderator reviews every report and can remove listings and suspend accounts.
iMediShare does not provide medical advice and does not inspect, certify or sterilize equipment. See the disclaimer.