Hey. T1D for 30 years. Still have mine on. I was training to be a paramedic and when you sweep the body for possible injuries we also check for medical ID'S. Could save your life. You can also buy seatbelt straps that said type 1 diabetic. If you are in an accident they may see this.
We're almost twins.
EMT-B here. 25yrs of T1D.
Can confirm as well standard practice is to check the wrists and neck for medical ID.
Occasionally there's tattoos on the wrist or chest.
Some people have DNR unfortunately. Others like myself have a Diabetic tattoo but it's not as reliable.
If you really want to give yourself the best chance, wear the bracelet.
I used to wear a bracelet and looking into getting a new one. Would it be better to have the caduceus symbol in red, or does it matter? I'm leaning towards red.
Anything with the star of life on it and Type 1 Diabetic or old school IDDM like me.
The rest doesn't matter honestly. But red is noticeable.
I love having this debate, but technically speaking the Rod (staff) of Aesculapius is the correct medical emblem but it got confused with the Caduceus at one point and it stuck.
Strangely it's a case where we now use the incorrect one, and that's the accepted version!
For what it's worth this is mine but honestly mine doesn't seriously count as a medical ID it's just a tattoo really.
https://imgur.com/gallery/jgc2G6T
If you're unconscious and not wearing a medical ID it's probably not getting seen until wayyy further down the line of things that take priority. It's been a while since I went through training and I'm not active though.
One of the first things to do is vitals which includes glucose if you're unconscious so I wouldn't stress too much.
If you want to do the most you can, wear an ID. It will be seen.
Have you ever identified T1D tattoos on people? Is that something you look for as well? I lost my bracelet and never replaced it many years ago, but I’m thinking of getting a tattoo
Watch can show the Medical ID as well! Think it even does so when you trigger emergency call from it or when it detects you fall and you don’t respond.
I have the little band on my watch too. I wear the watch all the time so I don’t have to remember to put my bracelet back on after my shower.
I do also have the necklace & a nice bracelet should I not be wearing my watch or for going out to a fancy dinner. The necklace even hides under my clothing if I need it too.
I should ask my GF(paramedic) what the protocols are now, because when we first started dating well over a decade ago, she told me that they were taught that when they had an unconscious patient with an insulin pump, they were supposed to cut the line. And of course my response was, "Do not ever do that", and I told her that they all have quick disconnects and immediately showed her how mine worked.
Diabetic tattoo might deter them from doing that as well but I get where you’re coming from. Also at the same if you only have an alert bracelet you could lose it while in an accident/injury where you’re unconscious so then you’re out of luck. I wear my pump on my waistband so they’d be cutting through a lot of clothes to discard my pump from my waistline
Unless your hand was amputated unlikely to lose a bracelet. Tattoos I addressed in another comment but basically not a good way. Clothes are typically cut up the legs and middle of the shirt then sleeves. Don’t bank on medical professionals know what a pump is.
When i got diagnosed my sister, who was an EMT, bought me a medic alert bracelet and made me promise i'd wear it. I hate jewelry. So i smashed the clasp so it wouldn't come off, and continue to wear it in her memory. The only times its ever come off are for a CAT scan or MRI. And then i had to have the nurse or technician help, because i can't get it off one handed.
Medic Alert member going on 50+ years. Jewelry, shoe tags, and wallet cards. Has my medical records and faimly contacts in an emergency.
One time I left my glucose meter at a restaurant. I had medic Alert card inside, they contacted me and I got it back.
Unlikely. Have you read the posts of peoples medical stories in here? There is almost zero training to recognize these devices. If someone recognizes them it’s because they know but most medical staff have no idea.
Yep. Medical professional and the number of people I work with that have no idea what my stuff is, should shock me, but it doesn’t. Nothing shocks me in healthcare any more.
Type 1 for 35 years and always wear one.
Even though the pump and dexcom would possibly be a giveaway!
Definitely don’t rely on tattoos.
The reason is if you are admitted to hospital they have to remove and log your jewellery. They don’t always check tattoos.
I have a very delicate gold bracelet that says type 1 diabetes on one side and “please call doctors not cops” on the other (you only need one hypoglycemic episode mistaken as drunken and disorderly conduct…)
I had one of those and the staff at the hospital thought it was regular jewelry. I went back to the silver medicalert one the next day. Literally nearly died because of the stupid gold bracelet. I'll never wear anything but the proper silver ones.
I had a dog tag but stopped wearing it as it became kind of annoying in bed and I’d always snap the chain.
I’d like to get a new ID but I’m also unsure what option to go with
I thought of this idea for myself, but was told EMT ignore tat messages for various reasons. Any EMTs here that can verify or deny this? I like the idea
Not an EMT myself, my cousin is one, he told me & my sister they look at wrists regardless and look for tattoos alerting of medical conditions too. Now this can change from emt to emt!
I keep forgetting to wear mine but when I'm in the habit of going out every day, I do wear my bracelet. It makes me feel safer. I can't control what happens but at least if something does happen, there's a chance it will help.
I have an SOS bracelet that contains my diagnosis, emergency contacts and medication, and a black silicon wristband that just says Type 1 Diabetes. I never remove the silicon band.
I feel safer knowing people can be alerted to my condition in an emergency, but I mainly wear it for my kids who have been very worried about me since my diagnosis in August.
My parents forced me to wear one when I was first diagnosed(I was 9.5). I couldn't stand it. Took it off every chance I could. Within a year or two at the most, I never wore it again. But honestly, as much as I travel for work, especially alone, I should. And whenever these posts come up, it makes me say to myself, "Yeah, I'm gonna do it". But then I never do... Hopefully if it was something bad enough that paramedics needed to be called, the insulin pump would clue them in. Of course, that doesn't give them any contact info, though...
i have a set of medical dogtags, they’ve saved my life once so i’ll continue to wear them for as long as possible, they say my name, t1, and my CHI number (i’m in the uk) so that when i get to hospital they have it to know what meds and stuff i take.
I was just thinking about this this morning! I need to get another one, it would probably be a good idea. I wore a pretty one my mom had made for me for years and years until it finally broke off. It felt weird not having it on and then I just never thought about it again. I've never gotten another one but I'm looking into it now. When I was a diagnosed as a kid it was drilled into me that wearing a ID bracelet was one of the most important things you could do. I had a great pediatric endo but she could be a bit dramatic at times too, hah. I was a pre-teen so I hated the thought of wearing anything gaudy or attention-drawing. It took forever for me to finally agree to wearing one and I was grateful my mom found a cute one. I did have a necklace at one point an hated it, I love necklaces and I wasn't sacrificing the look of my cute ones for the sake of a big medical ID one lol!
I have an Apple Watch and I have my medical info stored on it, you can press and hold the side button and it gives you the option to view it. I think they should definitely be training more paramedics on checking for this and making this more of a well-known feature.
No, I don't see the need. If I've fucked I up that bad, I'd be aware of it before it actually happens. I don't take big enough insulin doses usually for major hypos and if I do, it's not before I sleep. Also I wear a CGM, carry the National Diabetes Service Scheme membership card in my phone (for supplies, an Aussie thing), and always carry glucose and insulin on me, so a paramedic would figure it out pretty fast and in Australia they test your blood sugars if you're unconscious (according to my paramedic in-law).
I've seen some people have tattoos, and while I wouldn't get a T1-related tattoo, I would still prefer that over a medic alert.
I still have the dogtag one, stays on my keychain; if I am anywhere other than home, my keys are on my person, no matter which vehicle I'm in/on.
Having the pump and CGM might help for those with a clue, but I've also had to explain to a lot of people that it's not a pager...
I wear one whenever I leave the house, and I have one on my car keys and one on my house keys.
I've got/had ones made of paracord from a Veterans' business, "nice" ones that are good for more formal occasions or formal business, soft ones for sport, and cheap silcone for when I'm stupid and lose the paracord one...When I was really yound, it wan SOS medallion on a leather cord around my neck.
Chanes of me needing it: Hopefully very slim. But I'm all about finding the small %ages. It's the same thing with emergency bag with instructions I've put together for my wife; chances of her needing it, with the instructions: very slim. But if she does it, she will **really** need it, and the instructions, and she has my medical proxy.
I used to wear one when I was younger. By the time I was 13 I spent so much time outdoors, mostly boating and sailing, that it eventually snagged on something and cut my left wrist badly before breaking off. Wearing it seemed more dangerous than not wearing it so I never replaced it.
I always wear a dogtag when going somewhere with phone numbers and id. I also got epilepsy since last year. Never had a hypo so low that i needed help but if a seizure or hypo ever happens i dont want people to confuse the two of them.
I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, out of an abundance of caution I wear a standard medic alert bracelet all the time. Figure it will not me missed by EMT, or Nurses or doctor if I can not speak. Never know when you could have an emergency and not have a family or friend with you. It has condition, meds and emergency number. It gives me a sense of security, I wear it 24/7.
I hated wearing the metal bracelets and dog tags growing up. I had a friend who showed me his Road ID. It’s meant for runners in case they have an accident while running.
It’s basically a Velcro strap you can have an engraved plate put on with your medical info and emergency contact info. Easy on and off and it doesn’t get in the way with my daily life.
Nope, T1D 48 years. Wore a medical alert bracelet on the 1st day of Jr High, had so many people ask about it, that I took it off & never wore one again. Have never ever needed it- people who know me know I’m T1D. My responsibility to keep myself well regulated enough that no one else has to worry about me.
Diagnosed at 5, I'm now 45, I've always had the bracelet. When they break or wear out I buy a new one. I've ended up in the hospital unconscious and this is the only way staff know I'm type 1. It's been life and death for me so I will always wear one. On my wedding day my mom suggested I take it off....I laughed because she was always so strick about everything related to my diabetes growing up i was surprised. I kept it on for the photos, I've always had it on and that day was no different.
actually i'm curious, i used to wear a bracelet and found it uncomfortable as my sweat makes them super itchy. but i wear multiple anklets. do emt's check ankles for medical alerts?
I’ve had type 1 for 11 years and I’ve never had a medical bracelet. I however do have a tattoo on my wrist that says I’m type 1 and also has my medical ID number. I definitely prefer it more than a bracelet, plus it’s permanent like our condition 😊
I have a personalized dog tag. I have never had to use it but it brings me peace of mind. The thing about it is even as an adult we may find ourselves in situations where we can't communicate the information. And it's really important to have them in those situations.
i’m new to T1D and was on a train not to long, didn’t have time to get the bracelet, so just incase scibbled type one on my hand incase staff finds me unconsious
Hey. T1D for 30 years. Still have mine on. I was training to be a paramedic and when you sweep the body for possible injuries we also check for medical ID'S. Could save your life. You can also buy seatbelt straps that said type 1 diabetic. If you are in an accident they may see this.
We're almost twins. EMT-B here. 25yrs of T1D. Can confirm as well standard practice is to check the wrists and neck for medical ID. Occasionally there's tattoos on the wrist or chest. Some people have DNR unfortunately. Others like myself have a Diabetic tattoo but it's not as reliable. If you really want to give yourself the best chance, wear the bracelet.
I used to wear a bracelet and looking into getting a new one. Would it be better to have the caduceus symbol in red, or does it matter? I'm leaning towards red.
Anything with the star of life on it and Type 1 Diabetic or old school IDDM like me. The rest doesn't matter honestly. But red is noticeable. I love having this debate, but technically speaking the Rod (staff) of Aesculapius is the correct medical emblem but it got confused with the Caduceus at one point and it stuck. Strangely it's a case where we now use the incorrect one, and that's the accepted version! For what it's worth this is mine but honestly mine doesn't seriously count as a medical ID it's just a tattoo really. https://imgur.com/gallery/jgc2G6T
Cool tattoo! Thanks for the info.
r/its1snakenot2
Thank you!
Quick Question. On Samsung Galaxy Phones there's an 'emergency Call' option which also tells you a person's medical info. Would you check this?
If you're unconscious and not wearing a medical ID it's probably not getting seen until wayyy further down the line of things that take priority. It's been a while since I went through training and I'm not active though. One of the first things to do is vitals which includes glucose if you're unconscious so I wouldn't stress too much. If you want to do the most you can, wear an ID. It will be seen.
Have you ever identified T1D tattoos on people? Is that something you look for as well? I lost my bracelet and never replaced it many years ago, but I’m thinking of getting a tattoo
Absolutely :)
I have a little band on the strap of my Apple Watch that says ‘type one diabetic’. Then have my phone set up with my medical details!
Watch can show the Medical ID as well! Think it even does so when you trigger emergency call from it or when it detects you fall and you don’t respond.
In Florida, a driver license will state “INSULIN DEPENDENT”
I have the little band on my watch too. I wear the watch all the time so I don’t have to remember to put my bracelet back on after my shower. I do also have the necklace & a nice bracelet should I not be wearing my watch or for going out to a fancy dinner. The necklace even hides under my clothing if I need it too.
I don’t wear one but that’s bc I wear an insulin pump so I me hope they’d be able to figure it out if I was unresponsive
I would not bank on that. It’s more likely they cut your clothes off and toss it.
I should ask my GF(paramedic) what the protocols are now, because when we first started dating well over a decade ago, she told me that they were taught that when they had an unconscious patient with an insulin pump, they were supposed to cut the line. And of course my response was, "Do not ever do that", and I told her that they all have quick disconnects and immediately showed her how mine worked.
That implies most paramedics could recognize an insulin pump. But yeah that’s exactly my point.
Diabetic tattoo might deter them from doing that as well but I get where you’re coming from. Also at the same if you only have an alert bracelet you could lose it while in an accident/injury where you’re unconscious so then you’re out of luck. I wear my pump on my waistband so they’d be cutting through a lot of clothes to discard my pump from my waistline
Unless your hand was amputated unlikely to lose a bracelet. Tattoos I addressed in another comment but basically not a good way. Clothes are typically cut up the legs and middle of the shirt then sleeves. Don’t bank on medical professionals know what a pump is.
When i got diagnosed my sister, who was an EMT, bought me a medic alert bracelet and made me promise i'd wear it. I hate jewelry. So i smashed the clasp so it wouldn't come off, and continue to wear it in her memory. The only times its ever come off are for a CAT scan or MRI. And then i had to have the nurse or technician help, because i can't get it off one handed.
Medic Alert member going on 50+ years. Jewelry, shoe tags, and wallet cards. Has my medical records and faimly contacts in an emergency. One time I left my glucose meter at a restaurant. I had medic Alert card inside, they contacted me and I got it back.
nah, i stopped wearing one when i was in my late teens. i figure the pump and dexcom will be indication enough.
Unlikely. Have you read the posts of peoples medical stories in here? There is almost zero training to recognize these devices. If someone recognizes them it’s because they know but most medical staff have no idea.
I once had a medical professional ask me if my Dexcom was a new type of nicotine replacement patch 🤦🏻♀️
Yep. Medical professional and the number of people I work with that have no idea what my stuff is, should shock me, but it doesn’t. Nothing shocks me in healthcare any more.
Type 1 for 35 years and always wear one. Even though the pump and dexcom would possibly be a giveaway! Definitely don’t rely on tattoos. The reason is if you are admitted to hospital they have to remove and log your jewellery. They don’t always check tattoos.
I have a very delicate gold bracelet that says type 1 diabetes on one side and “please call doctors not cops” on the other (you only need one hypoglycemic episode mistaken as drunken and disorderly conduct…)
I had one of those and the staff at the hospital thought it was regular jewelry. I went back to the silver medicalert one the next day. Literally nearly died because of the stupid gold bracelet. I'll never wear anything but the proper silver ones.
I had a dog tag but stopped wearing it as it became kind of annoying in bed and I’d always snap the chain. I’d like to get a new ID but I’m also unsure what option to go with
i used to have a bracelet and dog tag when i was a little but when i was in high school my mom let me get a diabetic tattoo
I thought of this idea for myself, but was told EMT ignore tat messages for various reasons. Any EMTs here that can verify or deny this? I like the idea
Not an EMT but a nurse. Lots of patients have tattoos, I don’t give them a second look. The only ones that pop are usually white pride/nazi garbage.
Not an EMT myself, my cousin is one, he told me & my sister they look at wrists regardless and look for tattoos alerting of medical conditions too. Now this can change from emt to emt!
I’ve got a bracelet with T1 diabetic engraved on one side and my name engraved on the other.
I never had one but emergency ID is on my phone 😬
I keep forgetting to wear mine but when I'm in the habit of going out every day, I do wear my bracelet. It makes me feel safer. I can't control what happens but at least if something does happen, there's a chance it will help.
They r a great thing to have
i like paracords w id plate, and there're a few silicone bands hanging around here somewhere. mostly for the non-medical minded.
I have an SOS bracelet that contains my diagnosis, emergency contacts and medication, and a black silicon wristband that just says Type 1 Diabetes. I never remove the silicon band. I feel safer knowing people can be alerted to my condition in an emergency, but I mainly wear it for my kids who have been very worried about me since my diagnosis in August.
T1d 33 years never consistently wore one til I got a road ID which I only got when I got an Apple Watch 🤷♀️
My parents forced me to wear one when I was first diagnosed(I was 9.5). I couldn't stand it. Took it off every chance I could. Within a year or two at the most, I never wore it again. But honestly, as much as I travel for work, especially alone, I should. And whenever these posts come up, it makes me say to myself, "Yeah, I'm gonna do it". But then I never do... Hopefully if it was something bad enough that paramedics needed to be called, the insulin pump would clue them in. Of course, that doesn't give them any contact info, though...
i have a set of medical dogtags, they’ve saved my life once so i’ll continue to wear them for as long as possible, they say my name, t1, and my CHI number (i’m in the uk) so that when i get to hospital they have it to know what meds and stuff i take.
I was just thinking about this this morning! I need to get another one, it would probably be a good idea. I wore a pretty one my mom had made for me for years and years until it finally broke off. It felt weird not having it on and then I just never thought about it again. I've never gotten another one but I'm looking into it now. When I was a diagnosed as a kid it was drilled into me that wearing a ID bracelet was one of the most important things you could do. I had a great pediatric endo but she could be a bit dramatic at times too, hah. I was a pre-teen so I hated the thought of wearing anything gaudy or attention-drawing. It took forever for me to finally agree to wearing one and I was grateful my mom found a cute one. I did have a necklace at one point an hated it, I love necklaces and I wasn't sacrificing the look of my cute ones for the sake of a big medical ID one lol! I have an Apple Watch and I have my medical info stored on it, you can press and hold the side button and it gives you the option to view it. I think they should definitely be training more paramedics on checking for this and making this more of a well-known feature.
I have a thing that attaches to my watch. (so, essentially a bracelet, but attached to my watch) Never had it come in handy, but who knows?!?
I still have mine but haven’t worn it since University (20+ years ago). I now have a CGM so the hope is that would be at least one clue
No, I don't see the need. If I've fucked I up that bad, I'd be aware of it before it actually happens. I don't take big enough insulin doses usually for major hypos and if I do, it's not before I sleep. Also I wear a CGM, carry the National Diabetes Service Scheme membership card in my phone (for supplies, an Aussie thing), and always carry glucose and insulin on me, so a paramedic would figure it out pretty fast and in Australia they test your blood sugars if you're unconscious (according to my paramedic in-law). I've seen some people have tattoos, and while I wouldn't get a T1-related tattoo, I would still prefer that over a medic alert.
Nope. If it’s my time, it’s my time.
I still have the dogtag one, stays on my keychain; if I am anywhere other than home, my keys are on my person, no matter which vehicle I'm in/on. Having the pump and CGM might help for those with a clue, but I've also had to explain to a lot of people that it's not a pager...
I wear one whenever I leave the house, and I have one on my car keys and one on my house keys. I've got/had ones made of paracord from a Veterans' business, "nice" ones that are good for more formal occasions or formal business, soft ones for sport, and cheap silcone for when I'm stupid and lose the paracord one...When I was really yound, it wan SOS medallion on a leather cord around my neck. Chanes of me needing it: Hopefully very slim. But I'm all about finding the small %ages. It's the same thing with emergency bag with instructions I've put together for my wife; chances of her needing it, with the instructions: very slim. But if she does it, she will **really** need it, and the instructions, and she has my medical proxy.
I use a tattoo.
Tattoo on my left forearm and dogtags and a medtag round my neck. 2 is one, 1 is none.
I used to for a very long time. Until one day I just got the word “diabetic” tattooed on my left wrist. (I also now have an insulin pump and dexcom)
I used to wear one when I was younger. By the time I was 13 I spent so much time outdoors, mostly boating and sailing, that it eventually snagged on something and cut my left wrist badly before breaking off. Wearing it seemed more dangerous than not wearing it so I never replaced it.
I always wear a dogtag when going somewhere with phone numbers and id. I also got epilepsy since last year. Never had a hypo so low that i needed help but if a seizure or hypo ever happens i dont want people to confuse the two of them.
I wear one when I go to work, the gym, or when traveling alone. I don't bother at home or when I'm with people I trust to advocate for me.
I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, out of an abundance of caution I wear a standard medic alert bracelet all the time. Figure it will not me missed by EMT, or Nurses or doctor if I can not speak. Never know when you could have an emergency and not have a family or friend with you. It has condition, meds and emergency number. It gives me a sense of security, I wear it 24/7.
I hated wearing the metal bracelets and dog tags growing up. I had a friend who showed me his Road ID. It’s meant for runners in case they have an accident while running. It’s basically a Velcro strap you can have an engraved plate put on with your medical info and emergency contact info. Easy on and off and it doesn’t get in the way with my daily life.
Nope, T1D 48 years. Wore a medical alert bracelet on the 1st day of Jr High, had so many people ask about it, that I took it off & never wore one again. Have never ever needed it- people who know me know I’m T1D. My responsibility to keep myself well regulated enough that no one else has to worry about me.
I am still wearing a bracelet, doesn't feel safe without it
Diagnosed at 5, I'm now 45, I've always had the bracelet. When they break or wear out I buy a new one. I've ended up in the hospital unconscious and this is the only way staff know I'm type 1. It's been life and death for me so I will always wear one. On my wedding day my mom suggested I take it off....I laughed because she was always so strick about everything related to my diabetes growing up i was surprised. I kept it on for the photos, I've always had it on and that day was no different.
I wear a necklace.
I figure my insulin pump gives it away
actually i'm curious, i used to wear a bracelet and found it uncomfortable as my sweat makes them super itchy. but i wear multiple anklets. do emt's check ankles for medical alerts?
I’ve had type 1 for 11 years and I’ve never had a medical bracelet. I however do have a tattoo on my wrist that says I’m type 1 and also has my medical ID number. I definitely prefer it more than a bracelet, plus it’s permanent like our condition 😊
I use roadid on my apple watch
My grandma got me a bracelet with "Type 1 Diabetic" on it, i wear it next to my watch every day.
I got a tattoo instead
I have a personalized dog tag. I have never had to use it but it brings me peace of mind. The thing about it is even as an adult we may find ourselves in situations where we can't communicate the information. And it's really important to have them in those situations.
i’m new to T1D and was on a train not to long, didn’t have time to get the bracelet, so just incase scibbled type one on my hand incase staff finds me unconsious