Diabetic Alert Bracelets Save Lives
July 5, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Think of this as a gentle, really pushy, suggestion from your friendly diabetic nurse. Wear an alert band or some type of recognizable or easily detected piece of jewelry that states you are a brittle diabetic or have large fluctuation’s in your blood sugars throughout the day. For all of us who live with highs and lows, they are easily distinguishable, but for most of the population they have no flippin idea why you are acting “bizarre and strange”.
We all read about the man who was vacated from the train last week in the middle of a National forest after behaving in a drunken fashion, only to find out from his family that he was a brittle diabetic and was most likely experiencing diabetic shock. Do you think if he had a med alert bracelet on that stated his condition the outcome would have been the same? I am willing to bet not!
This was reinforced last night while I was at work, when a similar situation surfaced. A patient who appeared to be drunk and was wandering confused and “robot like” was brought in by the police after he stumbled away from a BBQ for the 4th. He was in diabetic shock and fortunate enough that the police brought him in the ER to tox screen him. Now yes, he had been drinking and that probably aided the situation, but we were able to treat him and he turned out to be a very pleasant, intelligent man that needed medical attention. A med alert would have helped him as well, ya know?
I could go on and on with examples but y’all get my drift. You are smart and well versed when it comes to diabetes but sometimes we all need a gentle reminder. Heck, share it with someone that you may worry about. They even make snazzy alert jewelry now that fits right in with your everyday wear. The are beautious and they serve a great purpose. LIFE!
I had a scary experience recently. My 8 year old son is a Type 1 diabetic and wears one of the new modern ID bands. the nurse in the ER told me she would “NEVER” have thought it was a medical alert band. With all the different type bands and jewlery kids wear these days she would never have loked at it to see. I immediatly went out and bought my son a new ID band, the only trouble was all I am able to find affordable was in adult size, so we removed many links to insure a good fit.
I do like the looks of the new bands, but after hearing the ER nurse’s comment, I am very hestitate about my son wearing his alone. he now wears the “cool” new look along with the traditional band.
I feel all ER’s need to be informed of the new bands diabetics are wearing and have pictures of all types available.