# EMT's, Paramedics, MD's, Opinions on MedicAlert Jewelry **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830 "2014-01-27T06:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/21 "2014-01-28T21:37:45Z")
I’m a Type 1 diabetic and I got a wicked cool tattoo on my right forearm, complete with a caduceus. If you have a hankering to get a tattoo anyway, it makes a nice conversation piece. I was hit by a car while riding my bike once, and even though I was pretty much fine, an ambulance was called. I asked the EMT if he would have noticed my medic alert tattoo, and he said absolutely – he checks people’s arms for tattoos and bracelets. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/22 "2014-01-28T23:06:47Z")
> [@St.Urho](#): > > I think the bracelet is definitely the way to go. We check a radial pulse on pretty much everybody, so it’s the most likely to be found. I wouldn’t go with the tattoo because even if it’s in the same place I’m probably not going to read your tattoo if you’re unresponsive. Is it still the case that you would ignore a DNR bracelet? I asked in a prior thread and was disappointed to learn that. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/23 "2014-01-29T00:39:27Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Is it still the case that you would ignore a DNR bracelet? I asked in a prior thread and was disappointed to learn that. That’s going to vary widely depending on where you are. In Colorado a DNR bracelet (or necklace) is valid. I can’t speak for other states. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/24 "2014-01-29T00:40:29Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I got mine not because of my medical history, but because I do long bike rides by myself and I could be in an accident. I have one of those too. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/25 "2014-04-18T03:07:10Z")
Update for anyone who’s interested, I finally bought a bracelet and maybe put more info on it than necessary, but there was room so [here it is.](https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t35.0-12/p600x600/1611931_654287477940276_48949282_o.jpg?oh=6eb71c7aa3dba38795933940d743e1f1&oe=53526E7F) I sent the pic to my mom and she couldn’t parse it, but I think anyone relevant will read it just fine. I didn’t take pics, but there was a discount for a second bracelet, so I bought another one with interchangeable silicone bands in 9 colors, great for work so it won’t catch on anything like the steel links could. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830/26 "2014-04-18T06:11:43Z")
Looks good! I hope you never need it, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-paramedics-mds-opinions-on-medicalert-jewelry/679830.md?page=1)