What should I engrave on my medical ID?

A medical ID bracelet can be a lifesaving device. Medical emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. All of your vital medical and contact information is custom engraved on your medical ID tag so first responders can take immediate action with your treatment. It is important to engrave the pertinent information that would be helpful in the event that you are unable to communicate for yourself. We recommend:

• First and Last Name
• Conditions or Allergies
• Current Medications
• In Case of Emergency (ICE) Phone Numbers

We also recommend that you consult with your health care provider to see what they feel is important for you to have custom engraved on your medical ID tag. Or, feel free to call us at 1-800-360-8680, and we will be happy to help you with your engraving.

Every person is different. That's why we custom engrave.

• Has diabetes and celiac disease
• Uses an insulin pump
• Allergic to two antibiotics
• Mom is her emergency contact

• Has a severe food allergy
• Carries an Epipen
• Would like 911 called
• His wife is his emergency contact

• Has a history of breast cancer
• She has Lymphedema in her left arm
• Allergic to Amoxicillin
• Her husband is her emergency contact

Not enough space? Abbreviate!

Running out of room? Check out these common medical abbreviations or engrave "SEE WALLET CARD".

What should I engrave on my medical ID?

Your name

Engraving your name on your medical alert allows first responders to identify you quickly, should you be unable to advocate for yourself. Additionally, in the event of a loss of consciousness or suspected trauma, EMTs may wish to determine whether you respond to your name or ask you to state your name, so having this information helps.

Any conditions you may have

Engrave any condition that may cause a medical emergency or be triggered by trauma or common medical treatments. If you have multiple conditions, you may wish to use common abbreviations to make the most of the space allowed.

Drug and food allergies

Engrave your medical ID with any allergies that may cause a medical emergency such as ALGYS: BEES & PEANUTS, along with instructions to call 911 and give epinephrine. You might also engrave allergies that impact your treatment, for example: ALGYS: LATEX & MORPHINE. Here are some typical allergy alert engravings.

Medications you take

Your medical alert engraving should include medications you take, particularly if they have potentially dangerous interactions, side effects, or risks. Additionally, it’s important to make it clear whether you are using or allergic to a medication. That is, ON ASPIRIN versus ALGY: ASA (common abbreviations for “allergy” and “aspirin”).

Special treatment considerations

Some conditions and medical histories result in treatment considerations, which you’ll want to include in your medical alert engraving. For example, with a history of breast cancer, you may have a lymphedema risk and engrave LYMPHEDEMA ALERT / NO BP-IV-NEEDLES / RT ARM. Or with a history of gastric bypass, you may want to engrave, NO BLIND NG TUBE / NO NSAIDS / NO SUGARS.

Your emergency (ICE) contacts

When engraving your medical ID, we always recommend including at least one emergency contact number preceded by the letters ICE for In Case of Emergency. Most people engrave the cell phone number of their spouse, parent, grown child, or other family member or close friend with knowledge of their medical condition(s). If you have additional room, you may also wish to engrave another contact, your doctor’s number, or, “SEE WALLET CARD” so EMTs know to look in your wallet for additional information.