My T1 diabetes medical ID is wearing out. I’ve gone the traditional route for my entire diabetic life of the standard stainless steel medic alert bracelet. What kind of medical ID do you use? What would you recommend? Does anyone have a medical ID tattoo? I’m looking to switch things up.
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I have it on my Apple Watch band, both embossed and with a stainless steel Road ID. Road ID will give medical responders my information, hopefully they will ask for it. The watch bands are custom made by a woman on ETSY. I have blocked my identity with tape in this picture.
As a bicyclist there is always the risk of an accident that might or might not be related to diabetes.
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I actually ditched all of the old medical ID stuff, and had a tattoo done. Its a bad picture, but you get the point.
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This is a great idea.Thanks for the links!
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Very cool. I’m seriously considering a tattoo.
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I got a tattoo too because I was always losing my bracelet cause it would break or irritating me. I oriented it on my right side and readable to the paramedics instead of me
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I have it on my iPhone “Medical ID”. I’ve read stories about people with different types of labels and EMT/Paramedics not noticing or looking so my expectations are pretty low. Best thing is stay conscious 
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I think my pump and CGM say it all.
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A very valid point!
I go this route too. I wore a medic alert when I was a child (because my parents made me!). I was on MDI then so T1D wasn’t as obvious. Since I’ve had a pump and a cgm though, I haven’t worn any.
I did just go on an international trip, though, and I got a standard dog tag style road ID necklace for that. I thought it would be a good idea to have one white traveling…
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I got tired of the “dogtag” necklaces and changed to a bracelet years ago. But I have very tiny wrists, so they all were clunky and got in the way. I finally went to a jeweler and had a gold ID bracelet with the Medical Alert sign on one side engraved with both “Diabetic” and “No Sulfa” engraved on the other side. After losing one to a faulty bracelet, I asked to have a second one attached to a standard gold “stretch” watch band. The result is something that I will not lose, that looks fashionable on my wrist, that is easy to put on, and that does the trick. The bracelet keeps the Endo off my back about having a Medical ID, and that, along with it being on my phone and the CGM and OmniPod stuck to my body should be enough, I hope, to alert medics to the fact that I am diabetic. If I ever have another one engraved, I will add the “Type 1” to the “Diabetic” engraving.
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Sounds really nice. It’s a cool idea to have one custom engraved with an expansion band.
I had a car accident and my pump came totally off. My cgm is on my arm and there is no reason for a paramedic to look for it.
The first thing they did was give me an IV and attempted to start me on Dextrose. My sugar was already high from the adrenaline after the accident and I was not getting insulin from my pump. I didn’t realize I lost it for a while.
Imagine filling me up w dextrose than sitting in the er for hours. With no long acting insulin I slip into DKA within an hour.
That’s a recipie for disaster. Luckily I was conscience and able to ask for saline instead, although dextrose is the standard.
I didn’t have my bracelet and so I got the tattoo because it’s impossible to forget it. No idea if it will save my life one day, but it’s done now.
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I wouldn’t rely on that. Maybe medical folks, but not the average person, who might be the one that just thinks you are drunk.
I frequently was asked if I was using a pager when I pulled out my tubed pump. (Before cell phones). With phone apps used more often for pump bolus, cgm, most would not even see the pump/cgm.
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Yes, the average person may not identify an insulin pump and CGM. However, I really am only concerned with EMTs and/or hospital personnel. An average person probably won’t know the difference between a T1 and a T2 either. I once had an average person who was into “healthy foods” tell me she could cure my T1 diabetes with diet. Sure!
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I have a pretty ID necklace from Lauren’s Hope. Do EMT’s know to look for a tattoo medical alert?
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I wear a silicone medical alert bracelet. I go in the Y pool a lot and this is easy to wear all the time. They make them with various type. I am a type 2 on insulin. I buy them online. Fits fine with my Fitbit. Nancy50
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Silicone is a great idea.
I’ve gone back to the old-school MedicAlert necklace in stainless steel. It stays clean and says everything I need it to say. With the MedicAlert system and my Dr and other info entered I know if found unconscious that they should be able to treat me.
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I can’t find a photo - but my medical alert is a tattoo. So long as it isn’t part of a “sleeve” and hard to notice I think it is a great idea. I recall responding to a 9-1-1 call where the patient, unresponsive and lived alone had a medical alert bracelet and the words had worn off. Great - he has something, but what. Fortunately, a neighbor saw us (we kinda have big vehicles with lots of lights and stuff) and knew the patient well. That’s when I decided to get the tattoo.
I remember telling the tattoo artist that I wasn;t just doing it for myself. Iwas doing it for all the T1D people. We have been hearing “…a cure in 5 years” for so long that may be now that I have this permanent statement they will indeed find a cure. The artist told me when that happens to come back. He would add “I used to have” and it would be on his dime!
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