Choosing what to engrave on a diabetes medical alert bracelet is a personal decision. You might want to include your type of diabetes, an emergency contact number or information about your treatment. Looking at what other people choose to engrave can be a helpful starting point.

We’ve analysed thousands of medical bracelet engravings to find out which details our customers most commonly include. Here’s what our data reveals, along with some examples to help you decide what to put on your own bracelet.

Start with a Clear Condition Label

One of the simplest ways to make your medical alert bracelet informative is to clearly state your condition.

Many customers choose straightforward wording such as:

• • Diabetes
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Keeping the condition name short can also leave more room for other information you may want to include.

Most People Specify Their Type of Diabetes

Our customer data shows that many people choose to specify their type of diabetes rather than simply engraving “Diabetes” or mentioning that they use insulin.

Among the diabetes-related engravings we analysed, the most common specific messages were:

• • Type 1 Diabetes – 56%
  • Type 2 Diabetes – 29%

Customers commonly choose wording such as “Type 1 Diabetes” or “Type 1 Diabetic”. If engraving space is limited, abbreviations such as “T1 Diabetes” or “T1D” may also be an option.

Specifying your type of diabetes can help communicate your diagnosis clearly. The wording you choose should reflect your own circumstances and the information you want others to know.

An Emergency Contact Is the Most Common Personal Detail

Medical information isn't the only thing customers choose to include on their bracelets.

In our analysis, 50% of customers include an emergency contact phone number when choosing a personalised engraving.

An emergency contact number can help someone reach a person who knows you if you're unable to communicate. You could use “ICE” (In Case of Emergency), to identify the number.

For example:

TYPE 1 DIABETES
ICE: 07XXX XXXXXX

Customers also commonly include their name. Depending on the space available, you could choose:

• • Your first name
  • Your first and last names
  • Your first initial and surname

For example:

TYPE 2 DIABETES
J. SMITH – ICE: 07XXX XXXXXX

If you include someone else's phone number, make sure they're happy to be your emergency contact.

Some Customers Mention Insulin or an Insulin Pump

Our data shows that 18% of customers include a reference to insulin or an insulin pump alongside their other engraving details.

If insulin is relevant to your treatment, you may wish to include this information on your medical alert bracelet.

Customers choose wording such as:

• • Insulin Dependent
  • On Insulin
  • Insulin Pump

For example:

TYPE 1 DIABETES
INSULIN PUMP

Or, if you'd also like to include an emergency contact number:

TYPE 1 DIABETES
INSULIN – ICE: 07XXX XXXXXX

The wording you choose will depend on your individual circumstances and the space available. If you're unsure which treatment details to include, your healthcare professional can help you decide what is most appropriate for you.

What Should You Engrave on Your Bracelet?

Our customer data highlights four details worth considering when choosing a diabetes medical alert bracelet engraving:

• • Your type of diabetes, such as Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes.
  • An emergency contact number, so someone can reach a person close to you if you're unable to communicate.
  • Your name, to help identify you.
  • Relevant treatment information, such as insulin use or an insulin pump.

You don't necessarily need to include everything. The right combination will depend on your individual circumstances, the information you want others to know and the space available on your medical jewellery.

If you're unsure which details to prioritise, your healthcare professional can help you decide what is most appropriate for you.

If you have questions about medical bracelet engraving or would like help checking whether your chosen wording will fit, you can contact us at hello@butlerandgrace.co.

For more practical advice about medical jewellery, you can also sign up for our newsletter to receive new articles, product updates and exclusive discounts. You'll also receive a complimentary downloadable wallet card for your emergency contacts.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your GP or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.