ID for Riding?

[Becky]

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!

[NoNo]

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.

[kie_fujo]

i generally carry a messenger bag with my id in it, but now i'm tempted to get one of these road id's!!

[kermit]

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.

[Grog]

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.

[Jolt]

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.

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.

[Kalidurga]

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.

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.

[ny biker]

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.

[mayanorange]

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.

[Jiffer]

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.

[Flur]

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.

[Madride]

Thanks for the ideas everybody! I will probably get one of the road ID bracelets, those look pretty good.

[TrekTheKaty]

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..........