So I just had this thought a moment ago... you'd think with how unsafe I ride, and how many times I've wrecked I'd have thought of it sooner, but hey... So far, I've woken up and realized I needed an ER, other than that it's just been slight road rash and a bruised ego.
It's probably a very good idea that all bikers carry some sort of emergency info with them when they ride. You know the stuff - who to contact if you're rushed unconsious to the ER, what medicines you're allergic to, work phone and scheduled hours for commuters... stuff like that.
I'm wondering what all should be on this list? Where should it be kept so that the first responders will find it easily? I know for me, it wouldn't be my wallet, as that's crammed with phone numbers on scraps of paper, business cards, photos, etc, so it's not somewhere that's 'quick' to look through. (I actually keep my ATM card, ID and cash outside of it because of that) I don't think most female bikers even carry a purse with them while riding, so that's kind of out for them.
I'm thinking that a good thing to do might be to make a PDF form that forum users could use to fill in this info or something, then take it to a kinkos to get laminated. Then they could wrap it around their frame and tape it down. If it were 8.5x11 inches, then one side could have 'emergency info' in big bold letters down the 11' side (A4 dimensions could be arranged for non-us persons)
Is that something anyone out here would use? What do you use now?
We all ride pretty much unprotected in a world of steel projectiles that outweigh us by tons. Sooner or later, at least some of us will end up in a position where we can't speak for ourselves. Most of the posts I've read on this particular board involving accidents have been from people that were up and about and yelling at the motorist(s) seconds afterwards. That's a good thing, because it means it wasn't as bad as it could have been...
But what do we do when it's life threatening injuries and we can't just have a fight with the offending motor vehicle operator?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
In my seat bag, besides flat repair items, I carry a copy of my driver's license and my insurance card. On the back of each of these copies I have my home phone number, wife's work number, and her cell number.
Trek Rider
I have an ID tag attached to my shoe. My reasoning is if you carry ID in your seatbag or a camelback, your bike and camelback won't follow you to the hospital, but your foot will.
ngateguy
There are velcro wrist or ankle straps you can get with ID tags. If you have a copy of your ID with you that has the information needed to access emergency contact information and in most cases these days even your health insurance.
Seanholio
I have a wrist band from RoadID http://www.roadid.com which has my name, year of birth, the numbers for my parents and my wife, as well as my blood type, and NKA NKDA No HIST for No Known Allergies, No Known Drug Allergies, and No Medical History. This gives the EMT's most of the information they could need.
brokenrobot
I have a dog tag engraved with my name and my emergency contact phone #s, as well as the phrase "I'm Insured!"... got it done for $4, since it's actually intended for dogs. FWIW, a good friend who is an EMT advised me to quit wearing it on my shoe / around my ankle and to start wearing it at my neck or wrist; unless you've got a specific injury to your lower extremities, it'll be a while before anyone gets around to looking down there, but the standard emergency procedures are such that your arms and chest will get examined pretty quickly in the course of things.
-chris
madpogue
I carry my wallet. Fits in a jersey pocket and weighs less than a Clif bar. Don't have to remember to switch anything (license, money, credit cards, etc.) out of it for a ride, and back in when I return.
supcom
There are many online sellers of military style dog tags. I got a pair with my name, address, and phone number. Sometimes I don't take my wallet and the dog tag has all that's needed to get in touch with someone. the tags are real cheap and will last a lifetime.
Insurance info can be supplied later. In Texas, an ER is not allowed to even ask about insurance before you receive neccessary medical care. I don't list blood type because any hospital should type your blood themselves before giving you anything but plasma. The risk is too great otherwise. If I had any drug allergies, I would list those.
caloso
I carry a little plastic wallet insert that has my driver's license, organ donor card, picture of the wonder twins, and a business card with my wife's phone numbers, my blood type, no allergies, and "I wear soft contacts."
Ryan
I used road ID also the one that attaches to your ankle. Once they have you name, theres a file the paramedics bring up on the computer with your contacts ect.. But you can also put allergic reactions, conditions ect. on the ID.
Raiyn
I've got a set of dog tags from http://www.poundmaster.com/ They have my name, driver's license number, blood type and medication allergy info on one tag the other has my emergency numbers
geneman
My helmet has a sticker on the inside listing all my contact info and known allergies.
I can't say for sure it's the first place they'll look, but your helmet SHOULD follow you to the hospital as many MD's want to inspect it for damage.
-mark
gravelpot
...your bike and camelback won't follow you to the hospital, but your foot will.
You hope!
Guest
Wow, I just carry my cell phone, my BCBS insurance card and my drivers license for identification. I will definitely get the tags to wear around my neck. It would definitely be a good idea, although I hope if I ever do get in a crash, it's close to home, which means they'll take me to Northwestern Memorial, and Northwestern already has that information, so they could call the next of kin in an emergency!
Koffee
Chris L
About the only time I carry anything is when I'm touring, and that's just whatever happens to be in my wallet at any given time (I really should clean it out one day). Generally on single day rides I carry a bit of change to buy whatever food I want, and that's it. I guess it's a double sided arguement. While it's all well and good carrying wallet, passport, credit card etc, these are also things that could be stolen by someone exploiting my situation if I did have a crash.
Given the sort of people who inhabit this part of the world, I can't say the percentages are against the latter scenario.
HereNT
About the only time I carry anything is when I'm touring, and that's just whatever happens to be in my wallet at any given time (I really should clean it out one day).
Wow, I'd think that from your descriptions of the roads you ride, you'd be on the top of the list for dog tags :)
To everyone else :
Thanks for all the info. I didn't really know that there were any options for emergency info. It just kind of struck me this morning that it's something that would be a really good idea for bikers. It's good to know that a lot of you are using them already.
I think I'd have to put my brother down as the phone number though... anybody calling my apartment while I'm not there would only get my answering machine...
Ryan
Wow, I'd think that from your descriptions of the roads you ride, you'd be on the top of the list for dog tags :)
Hehe.. was thinking along the same lines...
RonH
I have my info inside my helmet and should that be damaged in a crash (or ripped off by the local undesirables), I wear the ankle version of the RoadID (http://www.roadid.com).
I never carry my wallet. I guess I worry about losing it or someone finding it after I crash and using the info on my DL and other information in the wallet to steal my identity.
I don't carry a house key either. If I crash and someone sees my address in the helmet or ankle tag, they could then take the key and stop by my house while I'm at the hospital.
I guess I ride where all the undesirables live. :o
HereNT
I don't carry a house key either. If I crash and someone sees my address in the helmet or ankle tag, they could then take the key and stop by my house while I'm at the hospital.
I guess I ride where all the undesirables live. :o
I ride as a commuter, so I pretty much have to carry keys... Even if I'm not commuting, I still need the keys to get back into my building...
Litespeed
I carry my driver's license, a copy of all emergency phone numbers (husband, neighbors etc) a copy of my medical insurance card all in a plastic holder that is used for fishing licenses. I have it on a chain around my neck at all times even if I am out walking the dog or driving somewhere. It came in handy the last time I got hurt (fracturing a couple of ribs) and found it very hard to talk. My helmet or bike did not go with me to ER.
drroebuck
I don't carry a house key either. If I crash and someone sees my address in the helmet or ankle tag, they could then take the key and stop by my house while I'm at the hospital.
Wow ... I'm the exact opposite. I made and laminated a little card with several contact numbers, my full name, and my insurance info. I carry house keys (I'd like to get back inside when I'm done) but I don't carry ANY information that might have my home address, such as a drivers license. If you're in an accident and need assistance, they'll be looking for a hospital, not your house.
I live in L.A. and was jacked for my bike when I was a kid. That's stayed with me and I always see it as a possibility, so I don't want anyone to have my address AND my house keys.
Seanholio
I have my info inside my helmet and should that be damaged in a crash (or ripped off by the local undesirables), I wear the ankle version of the RoadID (http://www.roadid.com).
I never carry my wallet. I guess I worry about losing it or someone finding it after I crash and using the info on my DL and other information in the wallet to steal my identity.
I don't carry a house key either. If I crash and someone sees my address in the helmet or ankle tag, they could then take the key and stop by my house while I'm at the hospital.
I guess I ride where all the undesirables live. :o
I figured that no one who is rescuing me needs to know what my address is. They need to be able to call my wife, know my name, and my medical history. They're not giving me a ride home if I'm unconscious; they're taking me to the hospital/ER (I hope). If they need my address for some reason, I'm sure it can wait until my wife shows up, or I regain consciousness.
DogBoy
Will EMTs or ER docs remove a helmet? I thought when the accident victim was non-responsive they tried to avoid moving the neck at all, and messing with a helmet isn't something they would do?
I carry my wallet with my red-cross card and insurance cards as the two things that show up through the clear plastic windows. I don't really have contact #'s, so maybe I'll add them. Dog-tags sound like a good idea too.
Be safe out there!
Raiyn
I carry keys mainly due to the fact that my address is NOT on my tags. I also have a mini ATM card with my tags for those emergencies that come up. http://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/checksave/images/MiniCheckCard.jpg
Chris L
Wow, I'd think that from your descriptions of the roads you ride, you'd be on the top of the list for dog tags :)
The road surfaces here are the poorest in Australia, yes. However, that is not an insurmountable obstruction if one is prepared for it. The people around here worry me far more.
hollow
I just carry my wallet insert with my driver's license, insurance cards, a credit card and a little cash. Also my cell phone, and it all goes in my under seat bag.
madpogue
I never carry my wallet. I guess I worry about losing it or someone finding it after I crash and using the info on my DL and other information in the wallet to steal my identity. And you don't worry about these things happening any other place you carry your wallet?
I don't carry a house key either. If I crash and someone sees my address in the helmet or ankle tag, they could then take the key and stop by my house while I'm at the hospital. How do you get in the house when you get home?
drroebuck
And you don't worry about these things happening any other place you carry your wallet?
I sometimes ride through areas in which I don't normally hang out.
cerewa
Given the sort of people who inhabit this part of the world, I can't say the percentages are against the latter scenario.
Chris L, if I were in that situation I think I would be trying my darndest to move somewhere else.
In most parts of the world, most people are fairly decent. You seem to live in a country that was founded by criminals or something. ;)
slvoid
I used a label maker that makes those laminated plastic sticky labels and put my name, my gf's name, phone #, and my dad's phone # on it along with the word "insured". Stick that to my helmet, I figure medics are taught not to mess around with the head since the helmet might actually be the only thing holding my head together, so that goes with me.
ngateguy
I used a label maker that makes those laminated plastic sticky labels and put my name, my gf's name, phone #, and my dad's phone # on it along with the word "insured". Stick that to my helmet, I figure medics are taught not to mess around with the head since the helmet might actually be the only thing holding my head together, so that goes with me.
Nope it may not go with you at all, mine didn't and I had a head injury they took it off at the site so they could look at my noggin. it is best to wear/carry the ID on your person then it will be there.
Chris L
Chris L, if I were in that situation I think I would be trying my darndest to move somewhere else.
I've given this some serious thought -- and probably will one day. At the moment there are two things counting against it. Firstly, a lack of funds (I just can't seem to save any money right now), and secondly, the sheer quality of the riding in this region once you get out of suburbia, as I related in a couple of threads over in General Discussion. Interestingly, the people outside of suburbia seem to be far more pleasant to co-exist with, too.
In most parts of the world, most people are fairly decent. You seem to live in a country that was founded by criminals or something. ;)
Actually, that's not strictly true. It wasn't founded by criminals, it was just stolen from it's original owners by criminals.
dobber
The more I think about it, the more I think I should opt for a dog tag. I've got laminated copies of my drivers license in all the seat bags, backpacks and hydration packs.
But as others have pointed out, the bike doesn't go with you. Neither can one assume a helmet, backpack or any other item would.
slvoid
I think I'll just tattoo everything on the back of my neck, if THAT doesn't go with me, then I'm in deep doo doo.
Seanholio
Actually, that's not strictly true. It wasn't founded by criminals, it was just stolen from it's original owners by criminals.
Heh, a friend of mine made himself a bad time in Australian Immigration when he was visiting on business. After a long flight from the states, which encountered less-than-favorable winds, the Immigration officer decided he was the one to subject to extra-fine inspection.
When asking my friend if he had committed any felonies within the past 3 years (I think), my friend responded, "Why? Is that still a requirement?"
Apparently, he spent a LONG time in Immigration on that trip.
Chris L
When asking my friend if he had committed any felonies within the past 3 years (I think), my friend responded, "Why? Is that still a requirement?"
Apparently, he spent a LONG time in Immigration on that trip.
:lol:
catatonic
I jsut carryone in the extra cash poscket of my wallet. Just a slip of paper with my blood type, and a few other peices of relevant medical and contact info.
..You never know when having that info onhand will help.