Don't forget to bring ID!

[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.

[MommyBird]

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.

OK, it is good to know the EMT's suggested location.
Now..what is the most helpful information to include on the tag?

Is there already a "What's on your Road ID?" thread.
If not, maybe we should start one.

[Tri Girl]

On the RoadID site they suggest some things to put on there.
Here's what's on mine if you're interested as an example.

First and last name, year of birth
city, state and home phone with area code (we travel fairly often and something could happen when I'm out of town)
husband's name and his cell phone #
asthmatic, NKA, NKDA (no known allergies, no known drug allergies)
blood type, organ donor


My last line is personal: it says: Catholic- call a priest. If I'm dying I'd like my last rites at least. Morbid, but it's how I'd want my last moments to be taken care of.

If you have more medical history, you may want to include more pertinent info. You can have 6 lines of info.

[zoom-zoom]

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.

The wrist is the place an EMT will check, since that's where people wear medic-alert bracelets.

Also, the shoe models are not reliable...reason is that with a hard enough impact a person's shoes can go flying. I know it sounds insane, but a friend of mine was hit while running and BOTH shoes were thrown from his body. He's very lucky to have survived that.

I have the Elite. Love it. Wear it for running and biking. I have 2 bands...one that fits nice on my bare wrist and one for winter that fits over bulkier long-sleeves.

I also have the first strap that I over-trimmed...that really honked me off.

[Becky]

...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.

I don't expect an EMT to call while on-scene, but it's appropriate for the hospital to call once the patient is stable. My info is lengthy enough that I don't want to trust it to 6 lines on a bracelet. The critical stuff is on there, so the EMTs know what they're dealing with upfront. The rest is just icing for the hospital staff...