ID

[stephknits]

Just wondered how many of you carry ID identifying your diabetes? As I was diagnosed type 2 first of all, I didn't think relevant, but am wondering whether it would be worth it now and what sort of thing to get?

 

[trophywench]

Most of the meter companies have things that are credit-card sized Steph - however if you are collapsed on the High Street - NOBODY not even a paramedic or policeman can search you to find ID - even a medic alert bracelet/necklace, one of the various wristbands and defo not a credit card thing which would probably be in a wallet, pocket or purse!

However let's assume it's anyone other than a paramedic who would have a BG meter, and they know you are T1 cos it's tattooed on your forehead and you don't have a fringe. Are you hypo or in DKA ? If I was comatose in DKA and an ambulance came without a paramedic, and they discovered my isulin pump whilst sticking me on the stretcher - they are trained to trun the blasted things OFF - which would be the worst thing anyone could do. It wouldn't help much if hypo either cos it's still too late to take the insulin back that made me hypo - but better than leaving it on since maybe it went berserk and malfunctioned?

I long since concluded normal forms of ID as outlined could very likely be a waste of time and I'd rather they threw me in the wagon and got me to A&E pdq where since they do at least take your outer clothes off so they can PDQ start examining you for everything under the sun and would defo do your BG 'in case' if you were unconscious - in which case you wouldn't need any ID at all would you? since they'd instantly treat the hypo or DKA quicker than a flash whilst the rest of the crash team were monitoring everything else !

 

[KookyCat]

I wear a an ID band with a metal plate, although I lagree with Trophywench that in an emergency like DKA or hypo it wouldn't be needed I had a slight niggle about what might happen if I was otherwise unconscious and they didn't know I needed insulin. Chances are slim I know but it makes me feel better that it has my name, a contact and that I need insulin. I'd hate to survive a car crash to die of DKA whilst nobody noticed, the irony would be too much 😱

I didn't pay much for mine it's basically a silicone band with a metal plate that clips over, so not a lot for peace of mind.

 

[banjo]

If you collapse alone parmedics and police will often check your phone and look for an I.C.E entry in your phone book(in case of emergancy). So you could log it there - ie I.C.E diabetic type1 and then the contact number.

 

[Bloden]

That's really interesting, Twench. And I was about to invest in a new id bracelet! I think I'd rather have a bracelet than not tho, especially when I'm exercising. I carry an info card (that I made myself) in my wallet, just in case Don Fulano (Joe Bloggs) tries to feed me a churro when I'm unconscious. 😛

 

[Copepod]

If someone is stupid enough to try to feed a sweet dough roll like item to an unconscious person, an ID card or bracelet won't stop them. Many years ago, on a train between Birmingham and Newcastle, I saw a passenger trying to pour orange juice into the mouth of a person who was fitting. I had to intervene, so the fitting person could recover uninterfered with. I explained to the inept first aider what to do / not do if ever faced with similar situation in future.

 

[AJLang]

I don't have any ID but my mobile has three ICE numbers for my OH. KookyCat I didn't have any ID on me when I had an extremely bad car accident 20 years ago. Not diabetic related but I think that they automatically tested my BG. I was unconscious.

 

[Redkite]

Definitely worth wearing a medic alert bracelet or necklace. Since these are worn at your pulse points, they should be noticed by medics checking your pulse.

Also, it's a good idea to have an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone, ie next of kin etc. However, bear in mind that if your phone screen is locked, nobody can access your ICE no. - this happened to my Uncle, who had a heart attack at a bus stop in London. An ambulance was called, but despite him having his phone and numerous ID, no relatives were contacted for hours. The advice was to have your emergency contact no. on your phone's lock-screen. There is lots online about how to do this for different brands of smartphone.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The more recent iOS for iPhones allows you to set emergency info that is available from the lock screen using the 'Health' app.

 

[John D M]

Have a medic alrt bracelet that says insulin diabetic and contact number + ICE number on phone

 

[DeusXM]

Don't feel you have to spend a fortune on an 'official' medical ID either - I still have the dog-tag chain I bought at an air show about 10 years ago for £3 that has my name and Type 1 diabetes stamped into it.

Certainly lasted longer than the overpriced Medi-Tag that rusted to the point of illegibility in less than two years.

 

[stephknits]

Thanks all! Will give it some thought. Not sure I'm capable of sorting out the phone, but could give it a go. I gave got a card that I was given with the insulin, but like you say, who is going to go through my purse and good luck to term finding it in my bag, they would definitely come across the insulin itself first.

I was talking to my friend on her dog walk this morning and she was telling me she helped a man who appeared to be drunk staggering into traffic. As a speech therapist she recognised signs of stroke and helped him, but no one rose would help. I guess I was wondering whether ID would make the difference from bring left to sleep it off and someone realising it could be a medical problem.

 

[robert@fm]

On the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, if you elect to have your contact details on the phone (perhaps by copying them from the SIM, and then setting the contacts-list display to "Phone" rather than "All" so that you don't get them listed twice), you can then put individual contacts into one or more groups. One of the pre-defined groups is "ICE (In Case of Emergency)", and to this group I have added my friend and neighbour Wills, and my care team.