ID for Riding?

[bmccasland]

I've been wearing MedicAlert tags for a long time. And when I ride out from the office (which is most of the time), I have my work ID so I can get back onto the reservation (military, not Indian). I've thought about RoadID, but figured MedicAlert would be OK. Badgercat, thanks for the photo, I didn't realize that RoadID had phone numbers on it. I thought it was something like MA, where you call a number to get the contact info.

But I do need to remember to go to the MA website to update info.

[tulip]

I was in a serious accident five years ago. I was not carrying any sort of ID. I had to be airlifted from southern Maryland to DC to a trauma center the same day that Hurricane Isabelle hit. I was unconscious so obviously I couldn't tell them who I was. They had a hell of a time tracking down my husband. They also never, ever got the insurance information correct because my company was in another state and the insurance company was not the local, usual branch that they were used to dealing with. I don't think they ever got that straightened out.

I now carry a small clear plastic wallet with all of my medical info (blood type, allergies, etc.), contact information, insurance information, organ donor decision--in my jersey pocket, not in my seatbag. The medics really could care less about my bike, given that I was in such bad shape and had to get out of there fast (because of my broken head and the hurricane). I also carry a phone with me--in my pocket, not in my saddle bag. I did not have a phone that day. My riding buddy didn't either, and he had to wait a while for a car to pass as I was a lump on the side of the road.

I may get a RoadID. It's a good idea, but I'll still carry the additional information with me, too.

[badgercat]

Badgercat, thanks for the photo, I didn't realize that RoadID had phone numbers on it. I thought it was something like MA, where you call a number to get the contact info.

They have two versions... the Original one, which I got, just has what you can fit on it and that's it. As I understand it, Interactive one (which costs $9.99/year) is similar to Medic Alert in that emergency personnel call a number and provide a serial number to a dispatcher type person, and you can update your profile as often as you like with as much info as you need.

Since I didn't really need any extra info (no kids, pets, crazy contraindicated prescriptions, etc), I figured it'd be easiest for emergency folks to just see three phone numbers, in the order I'd like them to be called. My train of thought on that was: my mom is across the country, but has access to my insurance info and all of my medical records etc, and obviously I want my parents to know what's going on with me; my boyfriend, who is local, also could give insurance info and could get his butt over to hold my hand in the hospital; and my aunt and uncle, who are in-state and therefore my closest family geographically, have other numbers they could use to try to get a hold of my parents at home or work if my mom doesn't answer her cell. I decided to use my last line to indicate my year of birth, that I don't have any known allergies, and my preference to be an organ donor.

That's probably more than you cared to know about my train of thought, but it took me a really long time to decide which one to get and who to put on it.

I now carry a small clear plastic wallet with all of my medical info (blood type, allergies, etc.), contact information, insurance information, organ donor decision--in my jersey pocket, not in my seatbag. The medics really could care less about my bike, given that I was in such bad shape and had to get out of there fast (because of my broken head and the hurricane). I also carry a phone with me--in my pocket, not in my saddle bag. I did not have a phone that day. My riding buddy didn't either, and he had to wait a while for a car to pass as I was a lump on the side of the road.

I may get a RoadID. It's a good idea, but I'll still carry the additional information with me, too.

I'm sorry you had to go through that scary experience. I think my plan is to wear my RoadID but keep my phone in my seat bag; my thought being that if I go flying, anything that is in a jersey pocket might be smashed under me and my phone is no help if it's been destroyed. I do also carry my driver's license and insurance info, and up until now had put those things in my seat bag, but I may consider keeping them in a clear wallet in a jersey pocket like you do.

[TrekTheKaty]

I've had a Road ID for years--I used to run and didn't carry any id. After seeing this post reminded me--my husband doesn't have one. He insists he carries his wallet/drivers license and phone. But after much persisting, he allowed me to order the shoe ID. Another reason? We both travel--and even if someone calls the "ICE" number in our phones, we may not be able to be reached for at least 4 hours while we are in the air. SO, both of our ID's have an alternate, local, family member phone number.

It just arrived today and I slipped it on his bike shoe--$5 he never notices. I had to go back and see if mine was still on my bike shoe--I look at it everyday and don't notice!

[ASammy1]

i have a road id too, but I have the wallet one you attach to your shoe. I keep a copy of my driver's license and my insurance card in the wallet portion. On the actual tag, I have my name, blood type, insurance policy#, and emergency contact info.

[roadie gal]

Something could happen where you're unconscious or not thinking straight, but you're not dead.

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.

This is completely untrue. I've been an ER doc for 25 years. We are REQUIRED BY LAW to treat everyone the same, regardless of ability to pay. We are NOT ALLOWED to ask about insurance until the person is triaged by a nurse. If you have a Blue Cross gold card or if you are homeless you get EXACTLY the same tests/treatment (or at least you should).

I wear a MedicAlert tag because of a medical condition, but I think the Road ID attached to your body is the best way to go. Something in your clothing, even your shoes, may get flung away from you (even shoes get knocked off). My preference would be a brightly colored wrist band. My MedicAlert tag that I wear when I run or ride is a bright purple sports band.

[GraysonKelly]

Sorry i'm behind the times on this. My partner ambushed me as soon as I got home from my ride tonight and told me that she found RoadID and wanted me to get one. I hadn't even taken off my helmet! Anyway, I think it's a great product but I'm concerned about whether or not to get the interactive or the regular. I do have some allergies, no life threatening, but I'm not sure if I should do the interactive. I mean, if someone found it would they take the time/know to flip over the plate and get the pin and serial number to access the info online or by phone? Would it be better to have three contacts listed that could be called immediately? I am going to get one, I just don't know which to get...any thoughts? Advice?
Thanks,
Gray