I used to wear one religiously but recently (within the last nine months) got away from it. No particular reason other than it was something less that I had to put on in the morning. I figured if they couldn't see my insulin pump and figure out that I was diabetic then I was screwed anyway! I had identifying information, NKDA, T2 Insulin Dependent, and my wife's cell phone number on it. I would strongly recommend against any identifying number back to your insurance / benefits.
When I was first diagnosed I really really didn't want to wear a medic ID bracelet (still don’t) as I didn't want to advertise my D to the world. But I felt that I should have something. So I asked a paramedic friend of mine what he would recommend and he said that unless it’s a glaring traditional medical alert bracelet paramedics wont generally strip us nekid' and carefully examine all our pretty etsy jewelry that is actually kinda made to disguise the medic ID. AND according to him it’s generally when you’re conscious but confused (etc.) that they will do a glucose stick…not when you’re unconscious. Their first priority is to get you to the ER and let someone else figure it out.
And if you're a bloody unconscious accident victim… same deal…their first priority will to be to get you to an ER where they WILL strip you neckid’ and throw your pretty etsy jewelry in a bag un-examined. SO... for us non tattooed non-pumpers I guess the traditional ID bracelet is the safest bet. I however opted for the more discreet dog tags with my Name, TYPE ONE DIABETIC / INSULIN, my social security number, emergency contact # and… I drive really carefully.
PS...I am going to find my ID tags now and put them on. Thanks for the reminder.
Went to Google and found this on and EMT board!
EMT checking in -
We do check for med alert bracelets and necklaces. In fact, it's part of the practical exams you're given to get certification - they'll put bracelets/necklaces & such on fake patients and see if you find them.
Personally, I think bracelets are better because I'm likely to find them sooner as I'm checking your pulse. Either one should be found though in an examination of a patient.
A USB storage device holding your medical information...
Well, That might be something they check at the hospital, but it's not something I'm likely to do.
On the other hand, I'm a wilderness EMT, and don't usually have an ambulance and a laptop handy. Maybe an urban EMT/Paramedic is more likely to do this?
This is the reason that if I'm going to wear a bracelet (which I do), I will only wear the more "obvious" ones - not the fancy ones that try to look like jewellry and practically hide the medical emblem. The whole point is that it's easy to find and identify in an emergency, and I only put stuff on my bracelet that I would want people to know immediately. The rest I'd keep in a database, USB drive, or wallet card so that doctors could find it later.
One thing that I always keep in mind with medical ID jewellry is that it's not just for paramedics to find - it's for any person who may find you in medical distress and unable to communicate. If I randomly have a severe low or a severe allergic reaction while I'm shopping, I want my bracelet to be obvious to the store clerk or security person who has no medical training but from whom I may be trying to get help and unable to communicate exactly what wrong. Worst case scenario, sure - but that's exactly the type of scenario I wear the bracelet for.
Hi,Crystal
I have a neck lass ,it has a cross also a dogtag like with a red cross on it on the back it has that I'm a diabetic and that I have 3 stents . just sayan .Err on safe side.
test well
Tony
hi Crystal,
i’m jeff from California, but i livein japan. the medical id bracelets are hard to find. medical id tags just aren’t part of their medical culture. so i don’t have one. Unfortunately, i have melas a Mitochondria disease and all of meds are Mitochondria toxins for me （including metformin）so i’m on insulin. i carry my medical info in my bag when i go to work and um… hope for the best.
keep testing,
jeff in japan aka tounyoubyou （‘diabetes’ in japanese）
1. Yes, I have a sterling silver bracelet that I wear pretty much every day, and especially in situations where I'm more prone to pass out (exercising and drinking)
2. It has my name, my condition and my pump, and my parents' cell phone numbers since I'm a college student
My friend who is an EMT says they always look for a medical ID if the patient is unresponsive.
I wear an ID bracelet that has “Diabetic”. Thinking about getting a new one & adding “hypoglycemic”.
Given the constant confusion of others about diabetes, I just have ON INSULIN, my last name and date of birth. On my purse, I have dog tags hanging with my condition and husbands contact information. In my wallet I have an ID card with medicines and allergies.
There are a few options you can find on idtagsonline.com website.
There are bracelets with 8 lines of engraving and with 10 lines.
If you need more lines than Medical Id Dog Tags can offer 12 lines, 20 lines and 24 lines of engraving.
Quality of all products is supperior.