ID tags

[Brandi]

Anyone know of a good place to get id braclets or tags. I have my address and what not on the inside of my helmit but what (hopefully never) if something happens to me and the elmit gets messed up?

[snapdragen]

Some people go to Petco or Petsmart and have a dog tag made with their name and # etc. Or there is Road ID - I think the url is www.roadid.com

[CyclaSutra]

Petco rocks! Also Fred Meyer has a dog tag engraving machine. They're all pretty much the same. For $5 or $6, you have a durable, easy-to-locate tag you can hang around your neck, just like Fido. I have two, AND the tag in my helmet, AND an entry in my cell phone listed under

I.C.E. Scott (husband)

It stands for In Case of Emergency, and most medical personnel know to look for that if they find you AND your cell phone and you're unconscious.

My dog tag has:

Name, date of birth, town name where I live, "Call Scott" and his two numbers including area code, and my two drug allergies: "Vicodin, Keflex = rash."

What can I say, paranoia runs in the family. I get anxious on the few occasions I forget my dog tag.:o

[caligurl]

hubby and i both have road id's! (the FIXX) they are really nice!
(as and aside.. we also haver the fireflies that they sell on their site.. those puppies are BRIGHT! for such a small light!)

i also have ice for hubby's cell and ice home in my cell phone..

AND i have ID and copy of insurance in my handlebar bag!

[Brandi]

hubby and i both have road id's! (the FIXX) they are really nice!
(as and aside.. we also haver the fireflies that they sell on their site.. those puppies are BRIGHT! for such a small light!)

i also have ice for hubby's cell and ice home in my cell phone..

AND i have ID and copy of insurance in my handlebar bag!
Ok what is the Fixx? The band?

[caligurl]

the FIXX is the dog tag! i have the picture of the roadie chick on mine! with all my info on the reverse!

[Brandi]

the FIXX is the dog tag! i have the picture of the roadie chick on mine! with all my info on the reverse! Where did you get it though

[caligurl]

Where did you get it though

from http://www.roadid.com !

(and actually.. i think mine is the biker chick.. not the roadie chick.. not that is matters!)

they also sell colored "silencers" that add a little color (and really so stop clanging! i wear the ipod remote thingy.. and the tag clangs cuz my silencer broke.. i need to get another one!

[Brandi]

never mind i did a search and found them . Sorry if I was being dumb there.:D

[caligurl]

you weren't being dumb! and they are as good or better than they appear to be on their webpage!

(and the firefly is awesome like i said in the the earlier post! it's small but SOOOO very bright!)

[Brandi]

thank you! Hey what part of Cali are you from by the way?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I wear a RoadID too. I actually have 2 of them - I have a shoe ID for my running shoes, and when I bike I use the Fixx.

One thing that is not obvious from the RoadID (http://www.roadid.com) web site is that you can put information on both sides of the ID. I have my name, city/state, and emergency contact information on the front. On the back I have my year of birth, allergy information, health insurance info, my doctor's name & phone number. While I like Caligurls biker on the back, I felt like it was more important for me to have the additional info - especially since I ride alone most of the time. (If you want info on both sides of the id you need to order it over the phone instead of on the web site.)

Oh, and I have several of their Firefly lights too - they are awesome. I was out walking one night - and I had 2 of the blue firefly lights flashing, a neon + reflective belt, and an illuminite jacket. Someone saw me on the road and told me she thought I was a police car. Well, I guess that means I can be seen!

--- Denise

[Nanci]

I want one of these, too. I was thinking about the ankle bracelet. Does anyone have one of those?

Nanci

[Lifesgreat]

I have the wrist and ankle road id (one tag, two different bands) I use the ankle a lot more and love it. Just one thing, make sure it isn't on bare skin, put it around your sock. I haven't had chafing issues with the band, but can imagine it may cause a problem.

[tprevost]

Thanks to those who told everyone about the road id. I ordered a FIXX and a shoe tag for me but I also ordered the FIXX tags for both of my boys. We took them to a Kings game last week and put DH's business card in their pockets in case we became separated. I thought it would be great if they had these tags to wear in this situation as they've been instructed to go find a policeman/fireman etc.; that way they can just show them the tag.

I still need to copy my ID and insurance cards but I'm getting things done... slowly but surely!

BTW, the petco dog tag is an excellent idea! Plus they have some really cute ones now! :p

Tracy

ps. Brandi, did you order yours yet?

[Brandi]

I am going to I need to get one for my friend too. But need to get her address first. I like them a lot! And I am putting in my wedge tomorrow morning my insurance card,they give us two. Never thought about that one before. Great suggestions. I just love all you guys on this site it is way cool. We should have a big once year get together some place and ride. That would be so much fun!. Coarse no riding for us this weekend in California ey?

[Lise]

I have two road ID shoe tags--one for bike shoes and one for running shoes. I also have a dog tag one. I got tags for my mom for her birthday. When they mail you the tag, the invoice has the exact same info printed on it. I cut that out, laminated it, and stuck one in the pocket of every jacket I wear running or biking. If I go down, you'd better believe I won't be a Jane Doe! L.

[Brandi]

Ordering right now! Just can't decide if i want orange or red sliencer.

[Andi]

I have copied my ID and insurance card. I also printed up a list of medication I take, am a diabetic and laminated it. I put everything in a small plastic jacket and it's in my bike bag. Have a duplicate set I carry when I walk. Also have ICE on all cell phones. Love all ideas I read about. When I leave this site, am going to look at the ID tags.

Thanks.

[Trekhawk]

I have the roadid the dogtag style. Mine has the Aussie flag on the back. This way if I ever need medical aid they wont think Im talking gibberish because of any injury. You might laugh but when I got stuck with a car problem and had to use AAA the lady on the phone informed me that she just could not understand what I was saying. It took ages just to get the address I was at correct. Who would have thought having an Aussie accent would have caused so much trouble.

[Lise]

I have the roadid the dogtag style. Mine has the Aussie flag on the back. This way if I ever need medical aid they wont think Im talking gibberish because of any injury. You might laugh but when I got stuck with a car problem and had to use AAA the lady on the phone informed me that she just could not understand what I was saying. It took ages just to get the address I was at correct. Who would have thought having an Aussie accent would have caused so much trouble.
Trekhawk, I'm kind of chuckling at that! Reminds me of asking for a payphone at a gas station in Tennessee (before the days of cell phones)...the attendant kept saying, "There's one at the Baye-Pie." Finally, I asked her to point to it. She pointed across the road to the BP gas station. I am from Illinois, two states away. Imagine if it were half-way around the world...I'll bet you've gotten good at imitating an American accent in times of need!

[Melody]

I have copied my ID and insurance card. I also printed up a list of medication I take, am a diabetic and laminated it. I put everything in a small plastic jacket and it's in my bike bag. Have a duplicate set I carry when I walk. Also have ICE on all cell phones.[...]

Andi, take a look at MedicAlert (http://www.medicalert.com/). I use the wrist bracelet that is designed to be loose enough to not be too uncomfortable but snug enough so it can't accidentally come off. It's permanently attached to my left wrist and I sleep, bathe, eat, etc. with it.

On the back of the bracelet, it has my major conditions I have now or that can affect treatment (diabetes, hypertension and stroke). There is also a toll free phone number and your MedicAlert ID number. By calling that phone number and giving the operator (staffed 24 hours a day) your MedicAlert ID the EMT/hospital can get your doctor's info, medication, etc.

MedicAlert will also go about contacting each of your doctors that you list as emergency contacts that you are being transported/hospitalized plus your other emergency contacts.

This service does require yearly renewal, however, it isn't very expensive. They are a non-profit organization so all costs go directly to running the organization. Setup is $35 which covers the cost of an ID bracelet plus setup fees and $20 renewal a year.

For people without health concerns or with a limited list of concerns a regular ID can be used but for people like me who has a very complex medical history MedicAlert can be a life saver. I'm on 12 different medications (and take 22 pills daily) so I can easily get medication conflicts. :/ Also my various conditions many medications are just out.

I don't know how bad your diabetes is or if you have other complications like me, but take a look at them too. :)

Mel

[DeniseGoldberg]

Andi, take a look at MedicAlert (http://www.medicalert.com/)....

On the back of the bracelet, it has my major conditions I have now or that can affect treatment (diabetes, hypertension and stroke). There is also a toll free phone number and your MedicAlert ID number. By calling that phone number and giving the operator (staffed 24 hours a day) your MedicAlert ID the EMT/hospital can get your doctor's info, medication, etc.


Melody has some really good points here. I'm one of the people without medical conditions (or medication) that require the type of support that MedicAlert supplies, but I do have a lot of information on my RoadID. I use both sides of the id so that I can have health-related information available as well as emergency contact info. So although there is less relevant information than in Melody's case, it's all on me.

It seems - based on the entries in this thread - that many folks are carrying emergency contact info and health insurance info but are leaving out other important information that emergency health care personnel want to have (like your age, the fact that you do or don't have allergies, perhaps your doctor's name & phone number).

In addition, I don't believe that stashing this type of information in a seat bag is a good idea - much better to have it on your person. Why? Well when I had my accident back in 2004, the seat bag stayed attached to the bike, and the bike went to the State Police office. It didn't stay with me. If my id had been in the seat bag, would the EMT's have gone rummaging there to find it? I don't know.

OK, I'll try to get off of my soapbox now. Thanks for listening to something I feel very strongly about (you figured that out, didn't you?).

--- Denise

[Brandi]

Hmmmm? That is a good point. But your age changes so are you suggesting your birth date. And i agree with the not keeping it in a bag on your bike but, it is easy to forget when you just want to go out for a quick ride. I put my husbands cell ,home and my other best friends number on my id. I am not allergic or I would have put that on it too. and the town I live in. The dr name or number is a great idea too. Where were you denise when I was filling out the form?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hmmmm? But your age changes so are you suggesting your birth date.

I have just my year of birth. So the id says YOB followed by the 4-digit year. And if you want to change your order - call RoadID. They usually give you overnight to change it, but depending on when you placed your order you may already be beyond that point. Next time, maybe.

On the allergies front - I don't have any either. But when I asked about what should go on the ID, the folks at RoadID recommended including that I didn't have any allergies.

In fact, for anyone else who is thinking of ordering an id (whether from RoadID or somewhere else), RoadID does have some suggestions for information that is important to have in the case of an accident or emergency. I can't link directly to that page because it is a pop-up, but if you go to http://www.roadid.com/id.asp then click the Sample Text button you can see a list of info that would be useful.

And although the RoadID web site does not make it obvious, if you call them to order your ID (instead of ordering over the web) you can get information placed on both sides of your id. That's how I was able to put so much info in such a small space.

Oh, and on the forgetting it front? I have my ID sitting in a very obvious spot. I think I've only headed out without it once and I've been wearing it when I ride since the middle of 2004, and as soon as I realized that I went home to get it (luckily I was only a short distance from the house). It can become a habit fairly quickly.

--- Denise

[DrBee]

I have the wrist and ankle road id (one tag, two different bands) I use the ankle a lot more and love it. Just one thing, make sure it isn't on bare skin, put it around your sock. I haven't had chafing issues with the band, but can imagine it may cause a problem.

I was thinking about the ankle version. Does the neoprene make your ankle hot in the summer? Does putting it over your sock help with that?

[Brandi]

I did hear putting it over your sock does make it more compfortable. Why not get the shoe one then?

[Trekhawk]

Trekhawk, I'm kind of chuckling at that! Reminds me of asking for a payphone at a gas station in Tennessee (before the days of cell phones)...the attendant kept saying, "There's one at the Baye-Pie." Finally, I asked her to point to it. She pointed across the road to the BP gas station. I am from Illinois, two states away. Imagine if it were half-way around the world...I'll bet you've gotten good at imitating an American accent in times of need!

Lise - that is so funny. Im saying Baye-Pie right now to see how I sound with a Tennessee accent.:)

[Brandi]

I think it is funny too. With all the traveling we do for work ,I read this story to my husband last night he knew exactly what i was saying when i saod the bp part he just cracked up.

[AuntieK]

I just ordered my roadid last week. I actually won a gift cert for it at the Zion Century ride!! :D :cool:

Anyway, I got the wrist id thinking that would be the most obvious place for the EMTs to look if anything ever happened. But after reading here, I'm wishing I had got the ankle one. :confused:

I did have them put on it "NKDA" for No Known Drug Allergies so they'll know whether or not I have any. Plus, I included my blood type.

I'll have to let you know if I like it once it finally gets here.

[Nanci]

I was thinking if I had the ankle one, I could use it for everything and not have to switch it- cycling, running, swimming (yeah, right!) hiking...I wish they made a reflective one, though, that would be good.

Nanci

[DrBee]

I was thinking if I had the ankle one, I could use it for everything and not have to switch it- cycling, running, swimming (yeah, right!) hiking...I wish they made a reflective one, though, that would be good.

Nanci


Good news - the website says it does... "The closure system is 3M reflective Velcro".

[Lise]

My little shoe ones have reflective stuff on them. Plus it's shiny metal, so that reflects. I put my name, date of birth, allergies, three emerg. phone numbers, MD's name and phone number, and blood type. Although nobody's ever going to give me a blood transfusion without officially checking my blood type in the lab, anyways, or if they do, it'll be the universal donor type. They won't take the word of the little piece of metal on my shoe! I keep my dog tag Road ID hanging on the hook by the back door, under the hook for my keys. If I glance down and the shoes I'm wearing don't have a tag on them, it's easier to throw one around my neck than to switch the shoe tag from one to the other.

[bouncybouncy]

i wanted to bump this up again...sorry if it run into the ground but i think it is important!
i have put together a packet i now ride with...i included emergency contacts/date of birth/allergies/blood type/insurance card copy/DL copy (which has wrong address). i would like to order some more permanent tags but our phone numbers/my name/insurance info is all changing so i wanted something till we figure all that out!
i found little camping wallets (basically heavy plastic little zip-lock bags) and printed out the info, folded it up...printed little sized papers with the word "EMERGENCY" in red on it so it can be seen easily. because we mtbike in areas that are not traveled i also plan to e-mail my parents & bosses where we go along with a link to a decription of the trail and its location...if we are in a more traveled area i do not worry about the e-mails so much.
my dh is not so enthused about all of this but he is willing to wear the info as long as i put it together for him. he understands the importance of safety but i guess that is the testosterone in him being manly....we have moved recently where we do not know anybody...do not have doctors established...and family is far away...this (and more) makes me nervous enough to take precautions!!!
i also happen to have a cell phone with a GPS locator which i intend to carry (we usually leave it in the car on some of the short local, well-traveled trails) the phone with us and give our contact instructions on who to call in case of emergency.

it all may sound over-kill but if you just take the time to insure your safety it will me as natural as riding a bike...

HAHAHAHA....pun intended:D

[Jo-n-NY]

Thanks for bumping this because I forgot to save the site and had trouble finding it in the search.

Now to place my order ~ JoAnn

[jjcac1]

I made a copy of my insurance card (2 sided) and my dl and on the back of that I listed 2 contacts as well as drug allergies. I made a copy for each bike and one for on me. I laminated all of them.

I have a bike bag for each bike.. and then the one I carry is in a little pouch. At a recent convention they had these little nylon zippered pouches on a necklace/lanyard that also had a clear pouch for your namebadge. This works great for the bike! I can carry cash, my id and and what-nots.

You have had some great ideas here.. I love it!

[jjcac1]

Okay I was on Road ID website and now am questioning which one to get.

I only bike.. but wonder dogtags or bracelet or anklet... anyone like one more than the other?

[sulis]

I have the ankle road ID and love it. I don't like things on my wrist so the ankle was the most logical choice for me (I don't even realize that I'm wearing it..its so light and doesn't move as I do). I store it with my workout gear so I don't forget to wear it when I go out. Since I ride and run alone, its nice to know that I don't have to carry drivers license or other bulky items for a just in case moment.

I totally recommend these.
Given the positive reviews of the lights, I think I'm going to get a few of those.

Play Safe! :D

[DeniseGoldberg]

Okay I was on Road ID website and now am questioning which one to get.

I only bike.. but wonder dogtags or bracelet or anklet... anyone like one more than the other?
I have 2 - I use the shoe id on my running shoes, and I use the Fixx (neck) for riding. I suppose I could get the shoe id on my cycling shoes, but the lower straps close with velcro, and somehow using velcro to attach an id to a velcro strap didn't sound too good to me. The shoe id does work really well with "regular" laces though.

I use both sides of the ID so that I can fit in more info (look back in this discussion for a list of the info I have on my id). If you want info on both sides you will need to order over the phone (as opposed to on the web site).

--- Denise

[DrBee]

I went with the ankle ID and love it! My second choice would have been the FIXX (neck). I am in agreement with Denise that velcro attaching to velcro on the shoes seems somehow not right.

I think anyway you go with this you'll be happy with your choice. The roadID is a good thing to have.

[jjcac1]

Can anyone tell me what size the tags are.. I was trying to compare sizes and couldn't find on the Road ID site where it says the actual size of the tag...

[DeniseGoldberg]

Can anyone tell me what size the tags are.. I was trying to compare sizes and couldn't find on the Road ID site where it says the actual size of the tag...
I only have my Shoe ID at work with me - the Fixx is at home...

The metal part of the ID is 1.5 inches by .75 inches. I believe that the same ID is used for everything except the Fixx, which is dog tag size (larger than the others). If you need an actual size on the Fixx, why don't you just call RoadID and ask them for the size? They've been very responsive any time I've called them.

--- Denise