Don't forget to bring ID!

[Becky]

Which band is better...The Velcro Sport or the Rubber Elite?

The Elite is nicer IMO- doesn't get stinky and need a bath. On the other hand, the Elite band has to be cut to fit, and might not be a good choice for someone who's still growing.

Be very careful cutting the Elite band- it's easy to cut too much! (Ask me how I know...)

[Tri Girl]

I've only been wearing my elite band for about 7 months, but the black hasn't changed color at all (and I wear it 24 hrs a day). I almost cut too much off mine when I got it. Yes- be careful.

Be safe out there, everyone!

Shootingstar- glad dearie will be OK. Speedy recovery vibes coming his way.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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?

[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...