My mom wants me to get some kind of ID bracelet or something to wear when I ride so that people will know who to call if I am in an accident. Do any of you wear any ID? What can I get that doesn't look totally ridiculous?
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My mom wants me to get some kind of ID bracelet or something to wear when I ride so that people will know who to call if I am in an accident. Do any of you wear any ID? What can I get that doesn't look totally ridiculous?
Aren't Moms wonderful? Did you get the warning to remember to wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident?
ID's are a very important thing to have when biking. It's also wise to have emergency contact information included with your ID.
A bracelet isn't the only way to do it. I carry a small folding wallet in a pocket. ID's won't help if they are on the bike and not on your body should an ambulance cart you away unconscious (Perish the thought).
http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx
These are really good. I have the ankle one. I know a lot of people here have them, also. :)
I have a Road ID also--mine is the dog-tag one so I can just tuck it inside my shirt and it's unobtrusive. The wrist or ankle one would have bugged me, I think.
Dog tag is an excellent idea!! I usually tuck my ID into the front handlebar bag in a snack-size ziploc bag, but that does not do any good if I am separated from my bike. Where did you get the dog tag?
I carry my ID, $ and a laminated copy of my insurance card in a small hippie changepurse I keep in my back pocket. A friend who's a Type 1 diabetic wears an alert necklace.
Ok, sorry if I'm asking a really dumb question here - but why is it so important to carry ID with you? I mean, I can see that it's important to carry details about allergies or illnesses you have so that you get the right medical treatment, but isn't ID and contact info more in the category of "handy to contact family afterwards?"
Or is this important for insurance purposes? We have free healthcare here so I don't know anything about that. FWIW, I do carry ID. Well, I carry a donor card with my name on it ;)
I have a Road ID that I should wear more than I do.
I figure (hopefully) that I would be taken care of even if they didn't have my insurance info though I have it in my interactive Road ID info. I like the idea of DH being notified if something happened. It's not so much that I'd like to interrupt his day but (presumably) if I couldn't speak for myself, I know he could take charge and speak for me. That and I think he'd want to know if something happened. I know if he was out riding without me, I'd want a call if he were injured.
From the time I was old enough to go out of the house by myself, it was drilled into my head that you always carry id and money for a phone call. I've got the RoadID bracelet and wear it any time I go cycling, kayaking or hiking. If you go to the RoadID website (oxysback provided the link above), they list a lot of valid reasons for wearing/carrying id. For instance, if you have certain drug allergies or medical conditions, it could be life-saving for an EMS technician to know this before treating you.
I've actually been thinking of getting one of the new interactive versions so that I can include a note that I have two cats at home and that whoever finds me should contact my pet sitter. It's one thing if my family doesn't know for days that I'm in a coma in the hospital, but it really bothers me to think that no one would be feeding my kittehs.
Oh definitely, if you live alone with kids or pets I understand that it's important they get attention if you don't come home. But since I don't have any allergies or specific medical conditions I consider ID and contact info more of a nice gesture towards my family than vital. I'm assuming I'll get the same medical treatment whether they know my name or not.
Or doesn't that apply in the US where you have health insurance? Just curious.
Another thing struck me - Oslo isn't that big, so if I did land in hospital I'd be pretty easy to find, there are only 3 likely ones I'd be in.
Kalidurga - I agree about the kitties. Before DH when I used to travel, the cats were my one concern if something should happen. I'd always tell the pet sitter/feeder that I would notify them when I got back, just in case I wasn't back by the expected date. That and who would notice (not to be morbid but my parents are in another state) within a few days?
I like the interactive version. We travel a LOT and I like the fact I can change the local contact info as it changes. I don't always do that...but I like the option that I can.
And you KNOW that cats get really whiny if they aren't fed :D
LPH, what if you needed someone from your family to speak for you?
I guess that's my feeling about it all. That and courtesy to loved ones. I worked in an emergency room way back when and my feeling is a trauma hospital won't turn anyone away and if it's something long lasting, they'd figure out who you were before they'd deny you.
I don't always wear my Road ID. I really tend to think nothing will happen though when I was going through some cardiologist testing and they weren't sure if I had a problem or not, I did wear it. I could only imagine if DH went out for a short ride (or run, in my case) and didn't show up when I thought he would. I know he'd get proper medical care no matter what they thought about insurance but I would want to be notified immediately.
Maybe I've seen too many episodes of Six Feet Under but I think the most tragic thing is for something life threatening or fatal to happen and the next of kin to have no idea. Either that or the people handling the trauma case have no idea who the person is. I know one day (I'm rambling, granted) I was talking to DH as he was on his way home from work. I had to go and said I'd call in an hour or so. When I did, he didn't answer the phone. Turns out, he fell asleep on the couch. I had to be at work for five hours thinking, hmmm, it's EARLY. Did he make it home? Did something happen at home? Did he get in a car accident?
I know I'm easily worried but I don't think I obsess over it. If something were to happen to my parents or a family member, I'd want to know. I would hope that if something happened to me, the above-mentioned people would want to know. This is, of course, is in the worst case scenario.
You can get turned away from a trauma room??? :eek: Sorry, spoilt welfare-state'ee speaking. The thought hadn't crossed my mind.
Re being spoken for I carry my organ donor card, because it's important to me to convey that information fast, that I want to donate anything that can be used.
But yeah, rethinking I think the best reason for me to carry ID is plain courtesy for my family's sake, in case I'm in a coma and my injuries are life-threatening. It would make no difference to me but it would be better for them to be able to see me before I died.
Sorry for being morbid ;)
I don't think it's morbid at all. It's pragmatic.
"Organ donor" is one of the other things mentioned on my RoadID, you're right that that's important. Oh, and I went to the local outdoor store and bought a cooler-looking wristband for my id. Wanted to be coordinated with all my outdoorsy clothes and gear, y'know.
The Road ID suggestion is a really good one. DH wears one. He says that he doesn't even notice it once it's on. I have an interactive medic alert bracelet that I never take off, so I'm covered there.
ID in a seat bag or pocket can be helpful, but I've heard that EMTs won't go through your stuff looking for ID. (Can anyone confirm or deny this?) Better to wear the ID where it can't be missed (wrists or neck) IMO. The insurance card and driver's license are good backup though, and I carry copies of both in my seatbag.
Kalidurga- good point about the pets! I need to make sure that our emergency contacts all have keys to our house. Thanks for reminding me!
Another Road ID user.
Finish a ride, strap it to my bars, impossible to forget the next time out.
I picked up the ankle style Road ID and I don't even know it's there. I also like knowing that the reflector on my leg going up and down makes me that much more noticeable. One thing: when I crashed last month I handed the woman in the ER my ID. While I had my insurance number on it, I'd forgotten to put our group number on as well, which apparently she needed. Had to call work and have HR fax a copy of my insurance card over. Just something to think about if you're ordering one.
I just tried on an ankle one at the running shoe store, and it's VERY unobtrusive. I didn't even know it was there. I don't like anything on my wrists, either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolt
But I'm concerned about identity theft with anything that you send away for, with that much personal information. Unlike credit card identity theft, the legal protections for health care identity theft are pretty minimal, and more importantly you may not find out about it until much too late. If you're going to wear a dog tag, why not just get one of the ones you make yourself in the store for $5? (If you don't mind it being shaped like a bone or a heart ;))
I wear a roadID that goes in your shoelaces. Don't have to worry about forgetting it. If you go to their website and read the testimonials, you will buy one for every member of your family. Some guy was hit by a car and was unconscious. It was 24 hrs before they could identify him and notify his family (and they didn't have his medical history).
Another one with RoadID - I have the dog tag version. Every time I get on the bike, I'm wearing it. As you all have said, it's mostly so they could contact my DH in the event I could not.
Also, my dad is a first-responder and he said they're checking cell phones of unconscious people for this entry: ICE (in case of emergency) so they know who to call/notify. That's another thought if you carry your phone when you ride.
i generally carry a messenger bag with my id in it, but now i'm tempted to get one of these road id's!!
Road ID is a must. I have the bracelet version. I keep it on my helmet so when that goes on so does the bracelet. I also wear it running, just in case that rogue car veers off the road and wipes me out. (These things happen to me, trust me). We have had some spectacular bike vs car accidents down here and I know that any rescue guy will be thrilled to know if you have any medical issues by a bracelet and who you are, etc.
I have a dog tag but wish I had a bracelet. My husband and my father-in-law have been outfitted with wrist RoadIDs.
I know at least two people who were rolled into the ER as "Joe Doe" and "Jane Doe." That sucks. It means that these people's relatives and friends had to look for them by calling the police and all the local hospitals, giving the description of their loved one. In the case of "Jane Doe" it's a resident of the college where I used to live: after three days without seeing her, we had to get the police to open her room, and not seeing her there, calls had to be made. She was eventually found at a not-so-near hospital with a head injury she got skiing. For three days she was pretty much alone there and that must have been scary.
And remember that if you head is banged up, your cell phone probably will be too.
Something could happen where you're unconscious or not thinking straight, but you're not dead.Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
With regard to insurance--I would want the hospital to know that I am fully insured because--believe it or not, it's how the USA operates--the hospital will treat you differently if it knows it's going to get reimbursed.
Emergency rooms/hospitals are required by law to treat someone that presents him/herself. However, it's only bare minimal keep alive care that is required by law. An indigent isn't going to get aggressive treatment. That's the brutal reality right now.
Well, I think the big thing is that if you're in that bad of shape, looking for ID will not be high on the priority list--they will be concerned with stabilizing you and getting your butt to the hospital for definitive treatment. So it's quite likely that they won't go through your stuff looking for it. When I was a volunteer EMT I didn't have any calls where the patient was unconscious with nobody to speak for them, so I never personally encountered that situation, but if I did I sure wouldn't be thinking about digging around for ID.Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky
If I remember correctly, that's one of the points made at the RoadID website. They also mention that an EMT isn't going to take the time to look in the phone book for a number to call if all you've got on you is a driver's license. That's what impressed me so much about RoadID-- the information at the website is very clear regarding what sort of information will really be helpful to an EMT or police officer, and what sorts of abbreviations can be used to fit the info on your id.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolt
I have the bracelet RoadID and wear it every time I ride. It's perfectly comfortable. I have it to avoid the Jane Doe scenario as well as listing medical info (asthma and allergic to penicillin).
I also have a couple of ICE entries in my cell phone, and I have a small wallet in my bike bag with my drivers license, insurance card, credit card and some cash.
My SIL sent me the RoadID website and I immediately thought of this tag that is a hit with the furballs:
www.collartags.com
Those DIYers out there or those with reflective ankle bands already can just get the tag and attach to whatever.
I have a Road ID that I don't wear. I stick it in my bike bag. But I always have my phone in the back pocket of my jersey. All anyone has to do is call one of the top names on my "favorites" page. I think nurses, etc. are used to doing that sort of thing.
I have heard (on this site, I think) that medical people look for contacts on your phone that say ICE ... for "In Case of Emergency". I used to have an ICE1 contact my husband's number and an ICE2 contact with my home number. But then, every time my husband would call me, my phone said ICE1 instead of his name! So, I deleted my ICE numbers.
Don't count on your phone. I just lost my phone this morning - it fell out of my partially unzipped bike bag on to the trail. It's now completely dead from the impact, no screen images, nothing. If I'd gone down and I was depending on my phone to give my info, I'd be in a lot of trouble.
Thanks for the ideas everybody! I will probably get one of the road ID bracelets, those look pretty good.
And another thing--I have a friend who's DH has Lou Gehrig's. She is appalled at the condition of many hospital emergency rooms. She preaches to everyone who will listen not to leave a family member at a hospital without an "advocate." She has insisted on medication, mopped the dirty floor and helped nurses insert an IV (she's not a doctor, but went to vet school). She is also in my phone as an ICE--she doesn't want any of her friends, even falling asleep in a hospital without someone standing by their bed.
Also, just because you carry a driver's license doesn't mean they can instantly find the cell phone number of a relative or husband. My husband also travels for a living, so my sister (who lives locally) is also on my RoadID. If they leave a message at our home, or my husband's cell--it could be up to 4 hours before he got the message (if his cell phone battery isn't dead). Just food for thought..........
I have the RoadID wrist bracelet, and don't even notice it when I ride. I also wear it when I go trail riding on my horse by myself. I also have an index card with basic emergency information that I keep in my saddle bag on my bike. That way if my bike and I get seperated for some reason there is information with my and with my bike.
Speaking as a former firefighter and MRT and current 911 dispatcher I can give a basice idea of what would happen at hte scene. The medics are going to be concerned with immediate treatment and are not going to go searching through your bike bags for info BUT usually that is something that the investigating police officer will take care of. Medics are trained to look for medic alert bracelets/necklaces so they should find the RoadID quickly. Again, while the treating medic may not have the time to call RoadID (for those with the interactive version) there is usually someone else on scene (firefighter, police officer, etc) that can make the call and relay the necessary info to the medics.
I love the peace of mind it gives me knowing that emergency personnel can get my medical info and emergency contact info immediately. I always attach my bracelet to my helmet after every ride that way I always have it.
I have the Road ID bracelet and anklet. I wear the anklet most of the time, and the bracelet much like everyone else: it lives on my helmet straps and I put it on every time the helmet goes on.
My ID were made before the interactive one was available, so they have my doctor's 24-hr number on them so EMT/Emergency room folks can call to get my medical records, insurance info, etc.
Road ID is a great company, I have absolutely no complaints about them. Their customer service is wonderful, and once they gave TE members a discount (for a month). If someone who hasn't bought Road ID wants to take on a project, they could contact the company and ask for another month-long valid discount code so those who don't have them yet can order them cheap.
Trek420 has the dog-tag version and says it's very comfortable. She puts her old ones on her dog...
What does your Road ID say? Mine says "don't tell me what I can't do" :p
Hey everyone,
I read most of the posts...I'm a medic here in NC..this is my personal opinion... Road ID would be nice, especially any life threatening allergies (not hayfever, etc..) sulfa, morphine, pcn, etc... diabetes, seizures, cardiac problems, etc... name, phone number are good for the cops..
I have encountered (unfortunately) too many pts that didn't make it or were unconscious upon our arrival, ID at that point in time, not important to me, to cops yes, however they can wait until I get you to an ED.
Sorry to be morbid...but it is a horrible feeling to have a pt with no id and you and the cops are searching them, their moped/bike, anything to figure out who they are, so you can let someone know they won't be coming home again. So even your drivers license in you back shirt pocket or a saddle bag..
If you are a trauma then everything, I mean everything is coming off...a visible id that won't get mistaken for jewlery/decoration is a great idea...
If you are a diabetic, have a seizure disorder, asthma, severe reaction to bee stings, etc...that would be a top thing to have on the ID...
Hope this helps...let me know if I can answer anything else...I will do my best..
Safe cycling,
I carry a photocopy of my ID and insurance card, my contact info, blood type, allergies, etc. on a bright orange index card in my seatbag. I have my name and "emergency info in bike seat bag" written on the inside of my helmet with a permanent ink marker. My helmet is always on my head and my seat bag is always on my bike...I never have to worry about forgetting to take my ID and info with me. This is a bargain basement approach to the "Road ID" idea ;)
I have a shoe ID not from the company listed but one I've had for years. I took it off my road shoes, weight ya know, the darn thing kept flopping around and annoyed the heck out of me.
I opted for putting my ID info in my helmet but ya know what after reading through this thread I'm rethinking that idea....um if I crashed my little pumpkin head will get pretty mangled and I doubt with the blood and guts anyone could read the ID anyway.:eek:
I guess I will have to plop down some bucks and get some practical jewelry, yeah that's what I'll tell hubby too, practical jewelry hum this could be a new phrase in my vocab! LOL
Good idea, good thread and thanks to LoriO for the on the scene advise good stuff!
I've carried a copy of my drivers license and insurance card in my jersey pocket - always figuring the ER staff would eventually get around to looking for a wallet to notify next of kin.
But I never thought about that in a trauma they're going to cut my clothes off and never find it.
Liking the idea of the wristband (Road ID) more and more now...
Thanks for all the info!
I'm thinking about getting some "everyday" alert ID from these folks: http://www.americanmedical-id.com/ They have some nice stuff, and their prices aren't bad.
They also have little medic alert "look for it" charms that you can attach to your watch or necklace so folks know to search you for an ID plate that might be on a bracelet or anklet, or otherwise hidden.
My RoadID is still gonna be on me every time I ride or run, though. More ID, more better! :D