• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

    read biography

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

  • Living with diabetes blog

  • April 10, 2009

    Identify yourself with a diabetes medical alert ID bracelet

    By Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

23 comments posted

Do you feel that just because you have diabetes you're often asked to wear it on your sleeve like a badge? That's understandable, because while diabetes may be a big part of your life it's not the whole you. So, what is all the hoopla about wearing the diabetes medical alert ID? Because it can save your life!

What if:

  • Your blood sugar drops and you become confused or pass out.
  • You're sick, your blood sugar skyrockets and you become confused.
  • You're in an accident and unconscious.

In all these cases, you aren't able to communicate. Medical identification provides important information to the emergency team. It may prevent confusion on the part of the police officer/response team as to whether the confused state is related to alcohol/ drug intoxication and whether you get the appropriate treatment.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes wear a diabetes medical alert identification bracelet, especially if you're on a diabetes medication that can lower the blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar reactions).

Yes, they can be ugly, but there are some available that are attractive. Look on the Web, check with your pharmacist or healthcare providers for information on available products. Even some jewelry stores carry them. The price can range from a few dollars to the sky's the limit.

A few tips:

  • Medical alert ID should be visible and recognizable.
  • It should say you have diabetes and take insulin (if you are on insulin).
  • In addition, carry an identification card that includes your name, phone number, and number of your doctor and the diabetes medications and doses you're taking.
  • Add "insulin pump" to the medical alert ID if you wear a pump.
  • Emergency responders may not look in your personal belongings for a identification card, so wearing a visible ID is preferable to only carrying a card.

Do you wear a diabetes medical alert ID bracelet. If so, what type? And if not, why not?

I look forward to your responses.

- Nancy

23 comments posted

blog index

  • November 12, 2009 8:43 p.m.

    Oh yeah .... Its at : http://www.medalertbracelet.net/ Thank you

    - Jaime

  • November 12, 2009 8:41 p.m.

    This site on Medical Alarm Systems. I made my own information site after looking for information for my elderly mother and not finding much.

    - Jaime

  • October 12, 2009 11:53 a.m.

    i have recently gone to a bead shop and designed several nice looking bracelets. i used natural stones and crystals. each is fun and different. i no longer dread putting my id bracelet on my wrist. diabetes is not fun and the bracelets make me happy. i suggest going to one of these stores and designing your own. if we have to have this,let's have it with style!

    - suzanne

  • August 9, 2009 7:42 a.m.

    I do not wear a medical alert bracelet. I do have an id card in my wallet with the information you recommend. I wear a pump so I figured that it would be noticeable and an emergency response team would figure out what it is. I think I will shop for the bracelet though.

    - Melanie

  • June 25, 2009 1:28 a.m.

    I do need to get a bracelet. I have several diseases that need to be identified, also. Any suggestions? I do keep a list of meds, Doctors name, phone #s and other information in my purse and glove box in my vehicle. My diabetes was caused from medications I was taking for Pyoderma Gangrenosum. I have been to Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. Everyone was so nice. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do except clean out one of the wounds via surgery. Thank you for providing this information. I am always doing research on all my illnesses.

    - Claire Bebbington

  • June 24, 2009 8:55 p.m.

    I bought a very cute bracelet from Avon. It has two different chains that attach to the symbol. One is red with little hearts and the other is blue. Very girly, but noticeable enough for paramedics,etc

    - Tami

  • May 21, 2009 3:37 a.m.

    Nancy and Peggy- love the site, alot of good info here. With our condition, support is good especially from people all over the world. I have something that might be good. I saw this at a State Fair last year. It is a a flash drive that is red and has a medical symbol on it and you down load all your medical info on it and emergency contacts. I dont remember the vendor but I think you could find it somewhere on the web. Also for grandma nancy there are kid braclets out there that a fun and cute for girls and boys.

    - Aaron P.

  • May 15, 2009 11:50 a.m.

    Diane - you can get a medical I.D. bracelet/necklace at any pharmacy or online.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 13, 2009 11:39 p.m.

    dear nancy, were can I get a braclet and a card for my husban that identify's us as diabetecs?, dose the clinic off bracelets? I used to have one but cannot find it. I look forward to hearing from you, thanks, diane

    - Diane

  • May 6, 2009 1:05 p.m.

    I wear an ID bracelet. I'm a jewelry addict, so I shopped around until I found a bracelet I really liked, then I ordered the medical ID and had it soldered onto the bracelet. It's pretty and functional too. Hope it's never needed.

    - Nancy

  • May 6, 2009 2:01 a.m.

    I am with the MedicAlert Foundation. I enjoyed reading the article and people's responses. Some responses mention education & awareness. The nonprofit MedicAlert Foundation has been providing education to first responders and other medical professionals for over 50 years, training them to look for the words "MEDIC ALERT" in identification jewelry. To Grandma Nancy's comment below, we train responders to look for dog tags with the words "MEDIC ALERT." The words "MEDIC ALERT" give responders the assurance that the information on the jewelry has been medically verified. It also lets them know to call an engraved emergency 800 number, connecting them to MedicAlert's Emergency Response Team (ERT), who share life-saving information as Heide mentions in her comment below. The ERT can also call family, letting them know what's happened so that you won't be alone. Others mentioned that the jewelry is bulky or ugly. There are 100s of styles available for every taste. Make certain to select something that can be easily identified as "MEDIC ALERT." One individual states that they can't afford protection. Through the generous donations of its members, MedicAlert can provide protection at no cost to those in need. Whether you are managing your diabetes, or a healthcare professional, go to www.medicalert.org or call 800-432-5378 for more information. MedicAlert is here to help.

    - Larry

  • May 5, 2009 9:41 p.m.

    I'm a Type 2 with allergies to some medications so I wear a bracelet. My first choice would be a pretty anklet. It would be less noticeable to the general public and medical personel always check your ankles for swelling, etc.

    - Ruth

  • May 5, 2009 7:01 p.m.

    Do you wear a diabetes medical alert ID bracelet. If so, what type? And if not, why not? Bulky ids are ugly and not feminine for us, ladies. If they come up better designs at reasonable prices, there'll be lot more ladies and teenagers wearing them. Yet, I do wear one choosing my health over looks; I do wish there are more attractive Med Ids for those who chose looks over their health - saving more lives.

    - Kat

  • April 29, 2009 12:30 p.m.

    I have diabetes, take no medication with morning readings in the 80's and 90's. My A1C is 5.8. I am trying to keep this in control with diet and exercise. Do I need a medical alert device?

    - Mildred Johnson

  • April 23, 2009 12:11 p.m.

    I have an insulin pump and do not feel all the low suger events so I had printed on the back of my diabetic allert bracelet Mayo Clinic and my patient ID number in the event of problem they would know who I am and what the problem is. Do not like to carry a purse everywhere so I would always have that information on me.

    - Ann Carroll

  • April 16, 2009 9:47 a.m.

    It seems the company I bought my medical bracelet from certainly picked the appropriate name for their site, ha ;)! http://www.identifyyourself.com/

    - CB

  • April 16, 2009 6:43 a.m.

    My granddaughter is newly diagnosed as Type I. She doesn't like wearing a bracelet, no matter what kind we've gotten her, because she doesn't want to be "labeled". She is 11. I found a "dogtag" that was on a website from Nick Jonas a musician that the kids are gaga over. She is more apt to wear this but I'm concerned that first responders might not be aware of it because of all the new jewelry items on the market. I think education is the key. Love your site by the way!

    - Grandma Nancy

  • April 15, 2009 12:15 p.m.

    I dont wear one because it takes all the SSI check to live on in a month.

    - Ronnie

  • April 15, 2009 10:55 a.m.

    Instead of wearing an ID bracelet, I did my research into a local tatoo business. I had a caduesus (medical symbol) and the word diabetic tatooed on my left forearm. A few years later, as I matured, I added Type 1 above the word, diabetic. I get numerous comments on how smart it was. I agree although looking back at the experience, I may not have done the medical symbol but only the Type 1 Diabetic. It would be worth looking into this -- especially for Type 1 diabetics.

    - Kathy Ramsett

  • April 14, 2009 9:55 p.m.

    I have worn a wrist but need to update it at times. I am interested in the RoadID that Mike mentioned since I never heard about it before. Does anyone else know about this??

    - Skipper

  • April 14, 2009 7:52 p.m.

    I think it is a very good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet. I am a diabetic and I were one, not only because I am a diabetic I have many severe drug interactions that are life threatnening if adminstered by medical staff on site of an accident or at the hospital..So please do yourself a favour get a bracalet or a necklace it does not cost that much your can get the application at your pharmacy, thru the medical association in your community or better yet speak to your medical professional and he or she can help you, and it will save your life when you cannot talk for yourself or get the proper help you need. Tell your friends and family to get one as well that will help them save their life and those whom they care for Thank you I hope this helps.

    - nadine

  • April 14, 2009 5:10 p.m.

    I weat the Medic Alert bracelet, it has come in handy since I had food poisioning a few years back and could not speak due to the pain. They saw the bracelet and called over to Turlock, CA. and got all the info they needed. What a lifesaver! I highly recommend everyone with diabetes to invest in one, it could someday save your life.

    - Heide

  • April 10, 2009 10:42 a.m.

    Ordering a RoadID wrist bracelet, interactive type, unobtrusive and you can change info online.

    - Mike

Post a comment

Text Size: smaller largerlarger