Send Tattoos in an Emergency

Posted: 9:42 PM Jun 14, 2012
Reporter: Hattie Cheek

Tattoos in an Emergency

To some, tattoos are works of art and a way of expression.

But to others, they are the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Robert Hudson is the owner of Torpedo Tattoo and he says it is becoming increasingly popular for people to get tattoos saying "type one diabetic" and even, "do not resuscitate."

He says most of them are people in the military.
If it's tattooed on his chest and the emergency squad gets there, they rip the shirt open and they immediately see that, and then they can just follow through."

Hudson says he's done three tattoo's like this, even one with someones social security number.

The people who ask for these tattoos mean what they say, and if they don't?

They could be in big trouble.

"Once it's on there, they would need to get it lasered off because the rescue squad will follow through."

Frank Margrettn says he's getting a tattoo saying he's a diabetic.

"I was thinking of getting a dotted line with a small syringe that says insert insulin here..it's something that stays on your body forever and medical problems don't really go away."

But that's not all, he wants to get all of his personal information tattooed on his chest in case he ever goes into diabetic shock.

"There is always that slight chance that something like that could happen,"Margrettn said.

Hudson says he thinks a lot of people will soon be putting medical information on their bodies in case of emergency.

"If it gets popularized, i think it will get encouraged more."

And if it can save lives, a little needle and ink can't hurt.

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