Road I'D - Compare & Contrast

[ny biker]

I have the wrist Road ID. I'm planning to buy a new one so I have one for taking walks (including walking to the gym) and a second to keep in my bike bag so it's always there for bike rides. I'm planning to get the regular non-interactive kind again.

So my big decision is what inspirational words I should have on the last line. So far I'm considering:

Suitcase of courage
What would Stuey Do?
HTFU

[loopybunny]

I have the interactive and a bunch of the different color wrist ID bands and a couple of different colors of the ankle bands (Road ID was the presenting sponsor of Levi's GranFondo last year and everyone got gift certificates).

I chose the interactive because my medical info changes rather frequently, but there really isn't anything that I'm taking that should cause a severe allergic reaction so they don't need immediate access to my medical records. It's more so I can have more emergency contacts and update numbers as people change them.

The ankle ID is made of a more foamy material. The original wrist one is made of a nylon type material and isn't as soft. Depending on which one you like the look of more or which material is more comfortable, you can wear them wherever you want. Both Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer are wearing ankle Road IDs on their wrists at the Tour de France (or have been that I've noticed, but I haven't noticed it every day). You may need a larger wrist one to fit on your ankle or a smaller ankle one for your wrist.

[LoriO]

I have the wrist ID because in an accident the wrist is one of the first places the Medics are going to look for a medical ID/etc. I have the interactive bracelet since I use my bracelet for more then bike riding. I also use it when I go horseback riding alone and have additional information on my interactive page with who can be contacted to take care of the horse and what barn we are from.

The good thing about the interactive is that it can be accessed not just by internet but also by phone. So unless you are in a cell phone dead area, emergency personnel can access that information from just about anywhere.

On the front of my bracelet I have my full name and then I have my drivers license number listed. I went with my license number because any police department in the country can run that number and get my name, date of birth and current address off of that. As a 911 dispatcher, I can tell you that the first thing an officer is going to look for is an ID and run it so I figured I would make it easy for them! On mine it looks like this

CT Driv Lic#12345678

Pretty much any police officer will recognize that for what it is.

[tiffj]

I have the wrist ID elite as well, and very happy with the security it provides.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm an ankle wearer. Agree with earlier comments that shoe ID's and Dog Tags are at risk of separation from your body in bad incidents.

I'll add one more comfort consideration:

• I developed a persistent ring worm where I typically wore mine
• Shame on me for not washing it ( I never thought to)
• So now I alternate ankles, wash it regularly, and try to wrap it around my sock rather than directly on my skin

I'm really sorry for the loss of your friend

[Becky]

Non-interactive Wrist ID Elite here, engraved with my Medic Alert account info. DH wears the non-interactive Wrist ID Sport.

[buffybike]

I've got the wrist one with a yellow strap. When I got hit by a car, a witness used my Road ID to contact my husband--then gave it to the police who also used it to tell my husband which hospital the ambulance was taking me to. Very glad I had it on.

[pll]

Just this summer, I decided to get the ankle version (original, not 'interactive'), which I wear around my socks. I also use it while jogging. The tag can be affixed to an ankle band or a wristband, so you could get a spare band.

I went with the plain one because of (a) privacy reasons (leaving personal information on yet another server); and (b) there's nothing really special about my health profile.

About "HTFU", I believe Stuart O'Grady was wearing the "inspirational" wristband a few years ago, sold by an Aussie comedian: http://store.ronniejohns.com/?show_product=HTFU

[roadie gal]

I'm an ER doc. Here are my suggestions:

I'd go with the wrist band over the others. Anything attached to your clothing may be lost if the paramedics have to cut your clothes off. The dog tags may also be lost the same way. Honestly, your ankles don't get looked at until much later unless you have a leg injury. So we might miss the ankle band for a while.

If you don't have any serious medical problems then the regular type of Road ID is fine. Put your name and as many contact numbers as you can fit. Dont' worry about blood type. We'll type and cross you if you need it. Forget the pithy statements. Instead put in another contact number. DO put in any allergies you have.

If you do have serious/complicated medical problems or if you are on a bunch of medications, then get the interactive ID or a MedicAlert tag. The paramedics won't have time to contact them, but we will in the ER. Make sure you keep the MedicAlert or Road ID people updated if your meds/condition change. It doesn't help you if we can only access old info.

Remember, these id's are for a time when you can't speak for yourself. You want to be identified and you want us to know the most important stuff about you and who to get ahold of.

I have accessed MedicAlert for some of my patients. It's an invaluable resource. (As yet, I haven't had to do it with a Road ID.)

FWIW, I have a pacemaker. I wear a MedicAlert sports band when I swim, bike or run. I also have a regular wrist bracelet and a dog tag necklace. I wear one or the other when I'm out and about and especially when I'm out of the area where all of the cops and paramedics know me.

[pll]

I'm an ER doc. Here are my suggestions:

I'd go with the wrist band over the others. Anything attached to your clothing may be lost if the paramedics have to cut your clothes off. The dog tags may also be lost the same way. Honestly, your ankles don't get looked at until much later unless you have a leg injury. So we might miss the ankle band for a while.

Ordering the wrist band *right now*.

[Crankin]

I have the plain old fashioned wrist band in yellow. I actually have 2, since I lost one and ordered another. Finally got DH to wear one, especially important for him, as he takes Plavix and has 2 stents. Now I have to get DS to buy one.
I bought the wrist band because I had read that emergency personnel usually look there first. I developed a new allergy since I got the band; I suppose I should get a new one...

[7rider]

Wow thanks all.
Very helpful. Fortunately, neither DH nor I have any serious, chronic issues and no allergies.
DH has already expressed "no dog tags" so I guess that one was ruled out right after I first posted!

[beccaB]

I have the ankle one because it has a reflective strip. It is also very comfortable,made from neoprene. I'm not sure if there is a wrist one made from neoprene, but I don't like to have things on my wrist anyway.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I have the dog tag one and I like it. When it's under your jersey you don't even feel it, so it's not annoying or restrictive. It's also pretty and shiny, and you can get a little saying on the front - I have the century creed, "There will be days when I don't know if I can ride a century. There will be a lifetime knowing that I have." On really hot days when I unzip my jersey, it does flap around a little bit, but I get used to that pretty quick and it doesn't bother me.

-Jessica

[Loraura]

I've had both the dog tag and the ankle one.

The dog tag's drawback is that the chain isn't long enough to put it on after you've put your helmet on. You have to take your helmet off, put the dog tag on, and put your helmet back on. That made it kind of a pain.

My husband's phone number changed, so I got a new one - I went for the ankle one this time.

I prefer it. By a lot. Once you have it on you do not feel it AT ALL. Very comfortable. It has a reflective stripe all the way around it, too. Good for moving parts like feet in low light.

I choose the non-interactive one. I want people to get what they need right that minute from the tag, becuase some times there is no time or ability to call a number or log onto a computer to get the info.

The tag easily fit my name, my birth year, NKA (No Known Allergies), My Insurance ID# and Grp #, my husband's name and phone number.

I even had one extra line, so I added "Save the bike, too!"