Road ID type wristbands? Anyone use them?

macleod113

I have seen a few adverts for the road id wristband with a metal plate where you can have a qr code or contact details in the event you are in an accident.i thought at the time it was worth a dabble for £22

i kind of bought one without thinking it through as i suppose i could just have a credit card type id card in my jersey in emergencies.

does anyone else use one/equivalent and what are your thoughts other than they saw me coming

StillGoing

Yes had one for a couple of years now. For me it's worth it. If you're found at the side of the road and unable to communicate, the wrist band is easily visible. The phone screen is set with the Road ID contact details just in case whoever finds me can't crack the unlock code to try and find a contact.

kingstonian

I just put my driving licence in my jersey pocket. Haven't seen the need for anything else.

iron-clover

I just put my BC license/ membership card in the resealable bag with emergency money as it has everything needed to identify me and it also has the emergency contact details on the back.

I also still use one of those old school Nokia phones which don't have a pin lock and have an ICE entry in the contacts. Ironically the only time I ever needed someone to call it the people I was with didn't understand why they should be looking up ICE in the contacts. :roll:
Then my phone didn't have signal whereas someone else's iphone did despite the smaller areial :oops:

donboogie

I have one and use it as per the previous comments. In Ontario drivers licences do not have a phone number, so I look at it as being an obvious way to display a phone number in case of emergencies. It's also helpful to display any known allergies. It's a habit now, perhaps superstitious, but I don't leave home without.

gavbarron

I used to have my card in a pouch with my phone. Bought one from https://www.onelifeid.com
Uk based so no of the tax issues some have had when buying from Roadid
Good quality, quite happy with it

Big Geordie

I've never used one but it does seem like a good idea- they cost less than a new tyre and don't weigh much. Can't really see a downside.

StillGoing

gavbarron wrote:

I used to have my card in a pouch with my phone. Bought one from https://www.onelifeid.com
Uk based so no of the tax issues some have had when buying from Roadid
Good quality, quite happy with it

What tax issues; I never encountered any?

DonBoogie wrote:

I have one and use it as per the previous comments. In Ontario drivers licences do not have a phone number, so I look at it as being an obvious way to display a phone number in case of emergencies. It's also helpful to display any known allergies. It's a habit now, perhaps superstitious, but I don't leave home without.

Same with British driving licences. I look upon the Road iD wrist band as a bit like a S.O.S. Talisman or a set of dog tags, things that first aiders will automatically look for in an unresponsive casualty.

gavbarron

Some people had to pay import tax as they come from the states and RoadID didn't mark them properly. They refunded the cost of tax to those that got caught out but was still a bit of a nause. I just bought from a UK company instead, same price

JoostG

I always carry a wristband with tag with ID information. In the past I took my drivers license, but more than often I forgot it. The wristband is attached to my helmet when I'm not using it, so I won't forget it when I'm going out for a ride.
And the last thing I want is to be found to the side of the road as a John Doe.

johnboy183

gavbarron wrote:

Some people had to pay import tax as they come from the states and RoadID didn't mark them properly. They refunded the cost of tax to those that got caught out but was still a bit of a nause. I just bought from a UK company instead, same price

I was charged import duty too even after I asked them whether this would be the case. They said No. However unlike you, they never offered me a refund. Will consider onelife in future

Old_Timer

I have the RoadID that is under the on-line program. Cost a bit more, but the medics and medical personnel can access my files using the toll free phone number and my access code that it laser etched on the reverse side of the metal tag. As I have some rather serious medical issues (Parkinson's Disease, Chronic Renal Disease/Failure and an open surgical wound on my abdomen)that doctors and paramedics need to know of, I wear mine all the time.

Mine is the regular band with the Velcro closure strap, I have several, in different colours, and they get washed weekly, with my riding kit. Several doctors, nurses and tech have commented on seeing my wrist band that it is a good idea to wear one. At such a low price, and there are always discount codes available, it is a bit if a relief to know my info is readily available. Wife insists on my wearing it, and she has one, also.

gavbarron

The one life ones do that too, scan the band and enter the pin on the back of the band and it brings up all your contacts and medical info. Costs no extra though. Also rather than Velcro it has a watch style clasp. Very impressed with the quality to be honest

Pembles

I have always worn one, either running or on the bike, when I had my incident earlier this year the Police officer commented that it was extremely helpful, I have since downloaded the RoadID Iphone app that has all your contact, medical info on the lock screen, very handy.

brettjmcc

I have these also stuck to my helmets: http://www.arco.co.uk/products/4I0100/3 ... er+WSID-01

bianchimoon

Yup I use the road Id band especially if solo riding, costs little, weighs next to nothing

Bobbinogs

I have a small piece of card with my name and my wife's contact details. Keep it in the small plastic 1st aid kit I always carry on a ride. Job sorted, cost nowt.

gavbarron

Just gotta hope the paramedics choose to use your first aid kit to treat and identify you rather than the fully equipped ambulance they arrive in

Bobbinogs

Haha I am sure that use of the fully equipped ambulance is not dependent on having a bracelet. Do you get full private health cover if you go out in a twin set and pearls and then have a prang?

Brommers76

I have used one for running and cycling. I also use it if I am on my own with our daughter without my wife such as swimming. I am on warfarin as well as having a mechanical heart valve else I probably wouldn't be so bothered.

sopworth

I have one and don't even notice it these days. Considering the amount of plastic bands many youngsters put on their wrists, for one of those not to be an ID band seems daft. If you don't wear such bands (like I didn't previously) then you will soon get used to it.
A driving license, basic ID card etc don't usually have nok details on them. Most phones are locked and I don't know one rider that I regu ride with who have ICE details in their phones (aside from me).
If you have any allergies to medicine, bees stings etc then to let the emergency services know at an incident is paramount. These bands and the stickers for helmets are great bits of kit, even if you don't have any medical alerts as the nok will be notified much quicker. Even having your blood group on it can save time in theatre if, God forbid, you had a serious accident.
I'm a big fan but then again, I'm a trainee paramedic so get the importance of knowing certain details.

crikey

I'm a trainee paramedic

When you get a bit more trained, you'll learn that this

Even having your blood group on it can save time in theatre

is not correct.

Edit: Because no one in hospital will transfuse blood based on the contents of any ID band, however much it cost you. You will always be properly cross matched or given blood which won't cause an issue in an emergency.

ID bands are by and large sold to the worried well, trading on your insecurity. You live in a first world country, if you are concerned, put your details on a piece of paper and stick it in your pocket.

StillGoing

crikey wrote:

I'm a trainee paramedic

When you get a bit more trained, you'll learn that this

Even having your blood group on it can save time in theatre

is not correct.

Edit: Because no one in hospital will transfuse blood based on the contents of any ID band, however much it cost you. You will always be properly cross matched or given blood which won't cause an issue in an emergency.

ID bands are by and large sold to the worried well, trading on your insecurity. You live in a first world country, if you are concerned, put your details on a piece of paper and stick it in your pocket.

From a policing perspective, who are usually the first on the scene, the ID band helps identify NOK quickly. Even this year, my old force has had to appeal in the media for anyone knowing the identity of cyclists in hospital with severe injuries and in at least one fatality. People often won't rummage through pockets and the general public probably aren't even aware there are pockets on the back of a jersey. In the event that you've suffered a neck or spinal injury, do you really want someone turning you over to get to your pockets? I know I don't.

meanredspider

Yes - I asked my neighbours (anaesthetist and surgeon) if I should put my blood group on my car race suit as I often see others do. Both said don't bother.

I've written my name, postcode and home phone number on my helmet(s)(I've done the same for my kids). It's not perfect but I won't forget my helmet on a ride and has the added benefit of identifying it should I lose it anywhere. I normally carry a debit card with me too.

Old_Timer

I have had several medical professionals, including some EMS personnel, tell me that the RoadID and other similar devices are something that they look for now. In my case, I have serious medical issues that will matter in how I am treated, outside of a major trauma. The premium level RoadID with its stored medical history and information is helpful for the emergency medical personnel and ER staffers, as they tell me.

Interestingly, my neurologist and his staff both have mentioned my RoadID wrist band being a good idea, and that they wish that more dementia and Alzheimer patients would use them for when that get lost or wander away from loved ones or a facility.

I am not familiar enough with the NHS procedures and regulations so I won't act as if I know what their procedures are when seeing such a device. But, here in the states, they are well accepted by EMS and other first responders, and they are well recognized. They are not the total answer, nor are they for everyone, at least people are trying to work with medical and first response workers in making things about their selves available, readily.

andy_wrx

A medic told me that contact details on/inside your helmet were the best idea.

If unconscious, they wouldn't remove your helmet at the accident scene in case of head injuries, but would at the hospital and so would find it.

ayjaycee

I wear one of these one my wrist:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vital-ID-Spor ... 1e8fd8a527
and have one of these stuck to each side of the helmet:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Sk ... 418c9e3f14

rodgers73

People without these sorts of things on them (i.e. non-cyclists) must be involved in accidents all the time. The absence of ID devices such as Road ID can't be that much of a big deal for those patients otherwise there'd be some sort of campaign to get people to carry really obvious forms of ID on them all the time.

Wouldn't a doctor simply look at your wallet and phone to find out who you were and who to contact if you were in a coma/whatever?

I'm not against this sort of stuff - its harmless and helpful I suppose - but I'm somewhat sceptical as to what concrete benefits they would bring me in an accident given that I carry a bank card with my name on it and a mobile phone with "Wife mob" in the contacts list.

gavbarron

rodgers73 wrote:

People without these sorts of things on them (i.e. non-cyclists) must be involved in accidents all the time. The absence of ID devices such as Road ID can't be that much of a big deal for those patients otherwise there'd be some sort of campaign to get people to carry really obvious forms of ID on them all the time.

Wouldn't a doctor simply look at your wallet and phone to find out who you were and who to contact if you were in a coma/whatever?

I'm not against this sort of stuff - its harmless and helpful I suppose - but I'm somewhat sceptical as to what concrete benefits they would bring me in an accident given that I carry a bank card with my name on it and a mobile phone with "Wife mob" in the contacts list.

It doesn't have to be concrete evidence, it's supplementary rather than a complete solution. I don't carry a bank card with me when I ride, just a couple of notes and although my Nok details are on my phone screen saver,what's to say it would survive a crash. It gives my wife peace of mind that she'd be notified in the event of an incident, whether it would be any quicker than if I didn't wear it is neither here nor there, she's happier and so it's money well spent

Matthewfalle

crikey wrote:

I'm a trainee paramedic

When you get a bit more trained, you'll learn that this

Even having your blood group on it can save time in theatre

is not correct.

Edit: Because no one in hospital will transfuse blood based on the contents of any ID band, however much it cost you. You will always be properly cross matched or given blood which won't cause an issue in an emergency.

+1 - I'm an ex civvy paramedic, serving Army combat medic, serving dive medic.

But if you want to wear one then cool.

Old_Timer

Well understand the blood type issue, wouldn't argue that for any reason. My reason for liking the RoadID is because of all my serious issues and some troublesome drug allergies, and interactions. While and emergency medical situation would be dome in the ABC order and method, after things are settled in and the ER personnel are getting things going past the stabilization matters I need them to know some important facts that aren't evident if I am out of consciousness.

Other reason is because the wife wants me to have one on with all my issues, if she is more comfortable with me wearing one, its is small stuff for me to have mine on my wrist. She supports my cycling, I really want this to continue.