ID Bracelet Saga

[jules12]

I started to reply to an old thread but decided to just start a new one. We have been "collecting" Medical ID bracelets (and actually diabetes bags/cases) since my son was dx. I thought I would share our findings so that it might help others.

We first ordered a sports band with a metal plate - after my son couldn't stop from pulling on the metal plate - it stretched out the elastic holding it on - I had to buy a new band. He leaves it alone and it actually looks a little nicer than the others and he will wear it.

Then we found the silicone ones. He loved them and didn't take them off. I thought at the time, well at least he is wearing something. Others argued with me that EMT and others could easily overlook them and I agreed. I also didn't like that it didn't have any info on it like a phone number, etc. So we kept using them and I kept looking for something else.

I then tried a necklace - he actually wanted a "dog tag" I don't know where that ended up - he wore it maybe once.

Finally, I took Mama2H's advice and ordered from simaenterprises.com I have to say that I love this bracelet - we ordered the army green camo one. My son loved it - it isn't as big around his wrist as I thought it would be - not much wider than the first sports bracelet. I like that it doesn't have any metal on it for sports. I also like that it can have up-to-date information and that I have extra inserts so I can change the emergency numbers, etc. if needed. Also the price is good for something he will outgrow.

So after all of that, we finally found a bracelet that an 8 year old boy doesn't mind wearing that also meets the qualifications of his Mom!

[Beach bum]

I was concerned with silicon too, until Fran (Ivan's Mum) sent me one of these:
http://www.handband.com.au/index.php...m8natms77kelm1

It is fantastic! Fran sent us this over the summer and it has yet to loose any paint and is bright and easy to see. Abby too complained about bracelets being too big or bulky, so this is the one she loves.

[Sari]

We have the same Camo green one and Ross will NOT wear it! I guess it's just because he is 3 1/2. But I really want him to wear it. I try a little bit at a tie and he hasn't kept it on longer than 20 minutes. BLAAH!

Maybe we will try again when he is 4!

[Stacey Nagel]

Jesse wears a medic-alert.. and hasnt taken it off in 6 years....

[jules12]

We got our silicone ones from coolmedid. We never had a problem with the "diabetes" or the "medical symbol" coming off - it is filled in with a different color. I just like having a phone number on my child. He is getting to the point where he goes to friends houses, etc. I felt he needed to have a "more complete" ID.

I think getting any child to wear one is difficult when they aren't used to it. I think the first ID I had to wash several times with lots of fabric softener in order to make it "not scratchy"

We also have trouble in the summer with him sweating and getting a rash under the sports ones...we will have to see with this new one - so maybe our saga isn't finished yet

[Beach bum]

Originally Posted by jules12

We got our silicone ones from coolmedid. We never had a problem with the "diabetes" or the "medical symbol" coming off - it is filled in with a different color. I just like having a phone number on my child. He is getting to the point where he goes to friends houses, etc. I felt he needed to have a "more complete" ID.

I think getting any child to wear one is difficult when they aren't used to it. I think the first ID I had to wash several times with lots of fabric softener in order to make it "not scratchy"

We also have trouble in the summer with him sweating and getting a rash under the sports ones...we will have to see with this new one - so maybe our saga isn't finished yet

I know what you mean. We put our phone # in the pump pouch to be safe.

[Ivan's Mum]

hi ya, I've not tried these but these are from the same company that I sent wendy the band from. You can custom make your bands and it's pretty cheap. you could add phone numbers and the like. I've not tried it, or even explored it as we're soooo happy with the blue D ones that i've not needed to. I guess if you want to make something more relevant to your child you could try this.

http://www.handband.com.au/laser_ban...idkq49heckj2j4

could be worth a look.

[Mama2H]

That is so great that they are working for you

Just as a personal note, for those that use the jelly style bands, please be sure to go to your local ambulance service and make them aware of them. As an emt I would miss one before Hailey was dx and knew there were different kinds.

[Ivan's Mum]

We've had this discussion before about ambulance officers.

From what I understand both amublance staff and emergency room staff will always do a BG check if someone is brought in passed out or acting weird. I heard it was pretty standard from several medical sources. though your medical staff may vary!

Mostly with young children, they're going to be somewhere with us, a friend or at a neighbours house who knows their condition. I suspect that when Ivan is older he'll want a medic alert that is way more subtle than a bright blue band!

Prior to our D journey, if I'd seen diabetic on anyones bracelet, I'd have had absolutely no idea of what that entailed.

[Mama2H]

This depends on what your local ambulance service's protocals are. We do not check blood sugars unless we are made aware of the diabetes or the person smells like ketones and we suspect.

All I am saying it everyone needs to make a visit to their local ambulance service. You may be with your child all of the time BUT what if you are hurt?