Don't forget to bring ID!

[shootingstar]

That is awful. But probably happens more often than we realize. _______________________________________________________________

Whenever I leave on the bike or go for a walk beyond 2 blocks, I carry ID, health card, credit card, and keys.

No matter how dinky the bike ride is, I carry all of the above with me. Always have when on bike.
_______________________________________________________________
Allow me to describe accident that happened to dearie 2 wks. ago, when he fell down after another cyclist collided into him ...only 6 blocks away from home.

Dearie was unconscious for probably at least half an hr. He has no memory of being bundled up into the ambulance ..which coincidentally there was an ambulance just sitting down the block from the accident. Maybe a break during the Olympics. Cyclist alerted the ambulance which packed up dearie AND his bike into the ambulance and whipped over hospital about less than 8-10 min. away.

I didn't know about this..until he came home. but the hospital offered him to phone me on his behalf. He refused. He said he didn't want "to worry me". He always carries his ID, etc. like I do. He has some accidents that have happened in the past.

Geez. You know, he was at the hospital, about a 20 min. bike ride away. I know, this is a different problem.

Grog, now that you have outfitted the 2 physicians in the family..... a sign that the most competent have to be reminded also.

[TryingisDying]

I love my road ID...I can wrap it around my wrist when I run or I wrap it around my handlebars when I ride. I don't want someone trying to figure out who I am if I drop dead or get hit/hurt/killed.....

[OakLeaf]

Wow.....

withm, so sorry about your sister's manager.

Shootingstar, wow, make sure your SO takes all the head injury precautions for the next few weeks... hoping he makes a full recovery.

[Catrin]

withm, so sorry to read about this.

Ok, I will get my RoadID now I keep putting it off due to not making up my mind whether to get the regular or the other id where they keep electronic information. I am thinking an emergency responder might appreciate not having to make a phone call for information...

[Becky]

I am thinking an emergency responder might appreciate not having to make a phone call for information...

This is actually a pretty commonly-used technique. Medic Alert has been doing it for 50+ years, and it allows EMTs to get more info about you than will fit on a tiny bracelet.

If you just need ID, the regular will probably suffice. If, like me, you have a more....uhhh....complicated....health history, the electronic might not be such a bad idea. I have my Medic Alert # engraved on a standard Road ID, so I get the best of both worlds.

Either way, something is better than nothing!

[Catrin]

This is actually a pretty commonly-used technique. Medic Alert has been doing it for 50+ years, and it allows EMTs to get more info about you than will fit on a tiny bracelet.

If you just need ID, the regular will probably suffice. If, like me, you have a more....uhhh....complicated....health history, the electronic might not be such a bad idea. I have my Medic Alert # engraved on a standard Road ID, so I get the best of both worlds.

Either way, something is better than nothing!

Shows you how much I know about such things I do have a more...complicated...health profile than I once did, so perhaps the electronic route would be the best way to go. Thanks!

[nscrbug]

The "electronic" or "regular" RoadID debate has been hashed out many times on a triathlon forum that I frequent. There also happens to be several EMT's that post on that forum, and all of them stated that it would be very unlikely that an EMT (or any other emergency responder) would stop everything to make a phone call for more info...especially in a critical situation. They all suggested to go with the regular WRIST band, as that is the spot most likely to be checked first...yes, the wrist/ankle/shoe/dogtag ID thing was also debated.

[marni]

Well, I always wear a road id, carry a wallet with a copy of my drivers license, insurance, ec., my bike wears my old road id and I carry a cell phone with my husband listed as the first voice dial, and as my ICE (in case of emergency) number. Unfortunately, the paramedics, police etc here around Houston don't seem to have figured this out. The last accident back in end of January, was a head hit, I was unconscious, have no member of the accident, the ambulance, the first ER where they sewed up my arm and did a ct scan and then decided to send me to the neuro center downtown. Apparently I came to as they were loading me into the second ambulance and managed to focus enough to give them my husbands' name and the company he works for before I passed out again. No memory of the 40 minute trip downtown, or subsequent er room until I came to and found Phil at my side, having been there for several hours, met with the drs. and he informed me that they were waiting to see if the bleed had stopeed so they could decide whether or not they had to operate. I was fairly clear in the periods I was awaked and focused after that, it all goes to show that even with road id, you need informed others who know to look for it . Short of tattoing a comment to that effect on my forehead, I'm not sure what else to do short of always riding with others who know the routine which is not always an option in my case.

marni

[MartianDestiny]

I love my road ID...I can wrap it around my wrist when I run or I wrap it around my handlebars when I ride. I don't want someone trying to figure out who I am if I drop dead or get hit/hurt/killed.....

You might consider leaving it on your wrist on the bike too. Emergency personnel won't check your bike for ID information, and it's possible your bike could end up a reasonable distance away from you. The bike almost certainly won't make the trip to the hospital with you and they may not even start really looking for ID and next of kin information until then.

[TryingisDying]

You might consider leaving it on your wrist on the bike too. Emergency personnel won't check your bike for ID information, and it's possible your bike could end up a reasonable distance away from you. The bike almost certainly won't make the trip to the hospital with you and they may not even start really looking for ID and next of kin information until then.

Great advice.....I think I will do that! Thanks!!

[lph]

I checked out another discussion and saw several EMTs say - don't bother with blood type, because they will give you universal type O anyway (until they've checked for themselves), and also that medical information is the important part. Obviously it's important to know about allergies, especially to medications, and pre-existing medical conditions.

But it makes me wonder - is it important to know that someone is NOT allergic to something? Or is that assumed by default?