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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

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

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • April 10, 2009

    Identify yourself with a diabetes medical alert ID bracelet

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

44 comments posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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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

44 comments posted

blog index

  • October 7, 2012 9:12 a.m.

    There seem to be simple plastic wristbands available for almost anything. Notably Lance Armstrong. I've only seen " jewelry " like ID's Are any simple ones available ? Thanks, howard b

    - howard

  • October 1, 2012 10:59 p.m.

    This is a good idea of keeping Id on you my son is 9yrs old and has been wearing the same dog tag for 2 1/2 yrs now, I sure wish they would come up with some that were more fashionable for boys! He is starting to want to wear the cool stuff the other kids do and he tucks his id in his shirt and soo wants a new one with like a fish or deer or something on it, I've looked everywhere online with no luck! :/

    - Terra

  • August 2, 2011 5:09 a.m.

    Great blog, medical alert system is becoming a part of our life. It is life savior device. Medical alert ID bracelets are both fashion & safety. For more Info : http://www.medicalalertsystemblog.com

    - Medical Alert

  • July 3, 2011 12:16 p.m.

    Hi There! First thing.. A big Thank you for all the information regarding Diabetes! I'm a month new being a diabetic. I was sent to the education class, but never was taught anything. So I had to take it upon myself to teach myself.I recently ordered a necklace ID from Identifyyourself.com For those who don't like to wear any type of Jewlery, they also have ID's for your key chain. I never heard of a tattoo Id before! What a brilliant Idea! James, we all understand pinching pennies these days.. a good idea until you can get some extra money to buy a ID is to at least carry information in your wallet/car etc.. You can also go to American Diabetes Association website and check your local area for up coming Diabetes Expo's. I was recently told about one coming to my area and was told they give a ton of stuff out. They may even have free Id's. It is also Free to enter the Expo. Best of luck and great health to my fellow Diabetics! :)

    - Roberta

  • July 2, 2011 11:56 p.m.

    can't afford 1, i literally live penny to penny, every one counts

    - james

  • April 19, 2011 2:12 p.m.

    I have a USB medical alert bracelet; one which can be removed and plugged in to a computer so that a complete medical record can be obtained. Are emergency medical personnel trained and able to use these, too?

    - Richard

  • February 2, 2011 1:14 p.m.

    I wear a medical id necklace pendant and also keep a up to date medical id wallet card that list all of my meds, medical conditions, etc. for a free service offered by medids.com

    - Jim

  • October 17, 2010 12:03 p.m.

    Yes i wear a dog tag with all the meds.& insuln that i take I also wear a braclet.I don't won't to be someone's mistake.

    - Bobby

  • October 1, 2010 1:57 a.m.

    I work in an environment that jewelry is a safety issue, and I travel alone alot. So I went with the Diabetic butterfly tattoo and the words diabetic underneath. People always ask about it, so it also serves as a chance to make people more knowledgeable about diabetes.

    - Sherri

  • August 23, 2010 6:13 p.m.

    Gold

    - john

  • August 2, 2010 12:59 p.m.

    The above thought is smart and doesn’t require any further addition. It’s perfect thought from my side. Bracelet

    - mikejohn

  • July 27, 2010 3:03 p.m.

    It sounds like an excuse to get a tatoo. A tatoo is a burn with ink and anyone with diabetes needs to avoid any risks for infection.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • July 25, 2010 1:54 p.m.

    Is a Medical Alert Tatoo for Diabetes something that will work. My son is Type 1 and he thinks a tatoo on his wrist will work as well as a bracelet. Is that realistic? Will an EMT look for such a thing?

    - Ron

  • June 9, 2010 12:48 p.m.

    I wanted ID quickly because I was going to an amusement park and haven't had Diabetes very long. I went to PetCo and picked out a gold(in color only) heart tag and they have machine right in the store that engraves what ever you type in. I have a real bracelet now, but keep my cute 'dog' tag on my key chain. $9.00 instant ID

    - Lee

  • May 14, 2010 9:05 a.m.

    I wear a medical ID bracelet. I found an internet company that makes beautiful, custom-made bracelets that are affordable ($50 +/-). They also have the regular stainless steel bracelets that you can wear day & night. All bracelets are interchangeable with the ID tag. They also make necklaces if that's your preference, and children's products. I've been very pleased with their products and services. Their website is creativemedicalid.com

    - Sandy

  • May 12, 2010 1:46 p.m.

    Frank: Medics are trained to check for either a medical I.D. necklace or bracelet.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 8, 2010 9:57 p.m.

    Is the only advantage of a bracelet over a necklace visibility? I don't like to wear things on my wrist because of my job, and don't care to wear anything, even a watch when I'm not at work. I'm a new diabetic and have been looking for something I like, since I'm not much into jewelry it's kind of tough. I guess I could get a tattoo but I don't care for them either.

    - Frank

  • April 26, 2010 1:09 p.m.

    http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx I found the site that Mike was talking about. Hope this helps

    - Danielle

  • March 11, 2010 4:46 p.m.

    Eric - Have you thought about carrying a satellite GPS messenger? Our two sons who have type 2 diabetes, are going backpacking in the mountains next week. We bought them a GPS satellite messenger that has pre-programmed messages if you should need emergency help. It also allows others (that you choose) to follow your progress.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • January 30, 2010 3:03 p.m.

    I'm T1D and am doing high altitude moutaineering. If something happens there, I would like to wear something more visible than a bracelet, like an armband over my jacket. Does something like this exists?

    - Eric

  • December 6, 2009 12:28 a.m.

    I'm with Oneida-Medical-Jewelry and we've been making medical alert bracelets ever since the AMA designed the emergency medical symbol in 1963. We've seen many changes in those 47 years. Two of the biggest is computer engraving which allows for engraving more information which can now be done on silver and gold, and the other is the recent explosion of newly designed items. These include sports bands, charms and beautiful beaded bracelets. We work with many who do beaded medical bracelets and show some on our websites. We caution them to make sure they make items that stand out as a medical id rather than a piece of jewelry. Some customers place more priority on the jewelry appearance rather than the purpose of the id. Another problem we see is light engraving which is difficult to read. The engraving should be deep so that it's easy to read in an emergency and will last for many years. While laser engraving is easy to read, sometimes it wears off quickly. Most medical jewelry was originally converted dog tags so it's come a long way since then. But while gold and silver is nice, stainless steel is still the most durable and can be worn in any situation. A recent hype is that stainless steel should be "hypo allergenic" or "surgical steel" or grade "316". This is overkill. Such grades are used for implants and are not needed for bracelets. All stainless steel contains some nickel but a good grade of 304 or more shouldn't affect thos

    - Genny

  • 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

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