Road ID

[teigyr]

I have the ankle interactive one. I use it for running, cycling, and OW swimming and have never had problems. I am one of those who is really annoyed by seams and tags, also.

I got the interactive because it has a spot to put insurance info on it (on the website, that is). I also travel a lot and while an emergency number might not change if it's DH's cell phone, I also like to update the hotel info or wherever it is we're staying. I don't always carry my drivers license or insurance card, especially when I'm running, so I think it's a good thing.

Maybe it wouldn't be bad to have both kinds? I think they are very reasonably priced.

The RoadID people were great to work with and I got the impression they weren't in the business strictly to make a profit. They seemed to truly believe in what they were doing, also.

[JLMitchell]

I strongly encourage getting one, too! I downhill skate in the country hills and mountains out of state sometimes. Injuries can happen, so I got one for that.

I've had it for a year or so. I've got the wristband with the immediate, need-to-know basics: my name, two contact numbers, my blood type, and allergies (none). I've made a habit, like someone posted before, of strapping it to my helmet when I'm not riding so I never forget to put it on. There's always the morbid thought of losing an arm, like spindizzy said, but hopefully it won't be too far away from me.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I ride alone quite a bit too, so I got the interactive ankle ID. Its comforting actually knowing its there in case I ever get knocked out. I used to just carry a copy of my DL/insurance in my seatbag, but I realized that EMTs PROBABLY won't take my bike with me in the ambulance. :P

After I read all the stuff on RoadID's site about how they protect our info, I didn't worry so much. Plus - I don't put my SSN or actual insurance #s in there. I figure its enough for them to have my name, addy, contact #s, important health info. When I "come to", or when they ready the bill, I can get them the insurance filing stuff.

I don't notice the ankle thingee either.. It usually overlaps the top of my shortie socks.

Good product!!

[NoNo]

I'm glad this thread got revived. Good reminder for me to get my ID! After reading your comments, I think I'm going to go with the ankle one.

[han-grrl]

I've always wondered about the RoadID because i ride a great deal alone (something i am trying to change this year) but i think it is a great idea...

[roadie gal]

I work in an ER. I definitely recommend having some sort of ID like the RoadID. (I wear a Medic Alert tag because of a serious medical problem.) I would go for the wrist or ankle bracelet over the shoe tag. If you're in an accident where you can't talk to the paramedics, your clothes are probably going to be cut off and the ID might be lost. I'm not a fan of dog tags, but I've come around to liking them more. I would never put it on your helmet. That's going to be taken off right away.

I would put name, contact number, any medical problems, allergies and medications. I wouldn't worry about blood type. If you need blood you'll be crossmatched. In a severe emergency you'll get O- while they're awaiting the crossmatch.

[LoriO]

I have the interactive ID and love it. The reason I went with that is that I use my Roadid not just for biking but also for when I go out riding on my horse. With the interactive I can list emergency contact information about what barn I am from and also who to call to take care of the horse if I am hurt. I decided to get the RoadID after I had an accident at the barn where I could have been seriously hurt but thankfully wasn't. Still it was a huge wake up call for me.

What I put on the front of my bracelet is my name and then the 2nd line is my drivers license number. That way any police department any where can run that and at least get my basic information about who I am right away and then can access the interactive information when they are able too.

[crazycanuck]

Just a heads up for all us down under..I remember seeing a similar item to road id in one of the Aust MTB mags a few months ago..I shall search for the info tonight..

I'd like one

[Grog]

Just a note: I noticed yesterday that my husband's RoadID tag's writings are fading a little, while mine aren't. Mine is a Fixx (dogtag) and it's engraved, his is a wrist band and it seems somehow "printed" (the characters are black... or fading).

I was a bit disappointed with that, as I was planning to get a wrist band for myself. But the plate on the wrist band is rounded, which maybe makes it harder to engrave??

[OakLeaf]

When I "come to", or when they ready the bill, I can get them the insurance filing stuff.

Not a good idea. Because like it or not, whether you have insurance affects the quality and quantity of your care. I personally would be extremely worried about what medical care I'd get if I couldn't verify I have insurance - especially if I'm in a condition to need "extreme measures" on arrival.

I have a Spibelt for running. I just keep my insurance card, driver's license and organ donor card in there, and I don't even notice it's there. There's room for a phone, but I couldn't get it to not bounce with a phone in it, so when I run, my phone goes in a pocket on my water bottle carrier.

Cycling, I keep all my paperwork in a small ziploc bag in a jersey pocket (all of the above plus a credit card, my car key and some cash); my phone goes in another ziploc in the other pocket. The phone I just got has a feature where it ties three numbers in the phone book to ICE at the top of the contacts menu. (That way, they keep their regular entry in my phone book, and it doesn't always come up "ICE" on Caller ID whenever they call.)

I don't see how a Road ID is easier than this. More waterproof, yeah, but as long as I get a new ziploc periodically, it does pretty well. And I am concerned about privacy - whatever level of encryption RoadID uses doesn't keep an insider from selling the data, which is how a lot of the most publicized scandals have happened lately. I do realize that giving any information to a health insurance company these days is tantamount to putting it on a billboard, but still, the fewer people I give my information to willingly, the fewer people have it.