rob!

So for all you EMTs/Paramedics, how do you feel about information taped to the inside of the helmet instead of a wristband?

ModeratedUser150120149

NO to Interactive ID: Too much chance private info will be disclosed or the company will go out of business. It is almost a weekly news item that so many thousand personal records were lost/sold/disclosed from some company or other. Plus, as the doc says the attitude is to go "off to the races". On balance bad idea and more expensive than a simple tag.

YES to Tag type ID around neck or wrist: I prefer neck because it is a common place for people to put tags and it is a place always looked at during the A of ABCD. Just be sure to use a good chain that won't break before the neck is "damaged". But, wrist is an OK alternate since that is also a common place for medical tags.

If it ain't on the body don't count on anyone seeing it. Even then it isn't a sure deal no matter where you put the tag. No big deal. After all there is only one certainty in life so we might as well get used to it.

K&K_Dad

This would only be good if we could get the helmet and/or remembered to bring it to the hospital.. the best thing is something on the body.. You gotta think.. the helmet may be destroyed..

RoboCheme

I just ordered mine. Thanks, DocPete. Whatever happened to your Pinny?

Mash Master

OK, explain the ICE# to me. How does it work for a locked phone?

thedutchtouch

i'm an EMT. the interactive band SOUNDS nice, but to be honest, itsn't that useful on scene/ in the back of a truck. I'd go with the classic version, you can fit enough in 7 lines to give the necessary brief info, and phone numbers for someone who should know the details. that way we can read your brief history quickly while doing your assessment and be better off than saying gee, there's a website on this tag, too bad we don't have a computer. or the internet.

I also spent a few months observing in some of pittsburgh's trauma bays... not much time to find a computer and punch in a web address.

not to say there isn't places out there that would have computers, but i'd rather plan for the worst case than the best.


i dunno, 1. it seems unreliable- i'd rather depend on a wristband than some tape if i'm sweating, 2. a lot of places, unless it's deemed life threatening, people are taught NOT to remove a helmet- they'd rather the docs do it at the hospital (less risk of exacerbating a neck injury etc)

i'd also encourage people to look up common abbreviations:for example, no use wasting a lot of space to say "I don't have any allergies" when you can say "NKA" or "IDDM" instead of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, etc.

Mash Master

that is great info. What info would you want to see on the id for someone without allergies?

orcanova

Thanks Dutch, that makes sense. I will get the classic. My blood type is AB+ and I have a codeine allergy. Any appropriate abbreviations for those? Will they ignore the blood type and do a blood screen anyway? If so, maybe blood type isn't important.

Also, what info should I put on the ID. I am thinking

Name
address
local emergency contact
next of kin
codeine allergy
blood type

is that sufficient?

OCshark

+1 for the Interactive Road ID. Best way to keep your information up to date. Worrying about that info getting stolen, well I can understand some may not want to put certain details in their profile, but I have no issues listing all my emergency contact numbers for doctors and immediately family members, insurance info, etc.

Well worth the money. I opted for a bright yellow wrist band model. The 800# on the wrist band will read back all the info I put online to the first responder. No computer access needed.

froggmann

I work in a Level 1 trauma center in Houston. Last Saturday a cyclist was brought in that was a hit and run victim, he was a John Doe because no info was found on scene. He was unconscious and in a C-collar with his helmet still on, his jersey was ripped to pieces and all that was left was just barely hanging over his shoulders, there was almost nothing left of his shorts, and he lost both shoes due to the impact. During the initial assessment one of the docs found his Road ID around his ankle. He handed it to one of the nurses who handed it to a clerk. Within 5 minutes the docs had a print out of all of his personal info along with his medical history. It was the Interactive model.

DrPete 

Ben Taub? My hat's off to you.

As for interactive vs. not, if you're completely healthy and have zero medical info, and have family who can be contacted at 1-2 phone numbers all the time, the non-interactive is probably fine. My interactive, though, has my (short) list of meds, home and work address, and 3 phone numbers for my wife. That wouldn't fit on the regular version. I don't think identity theft is an issue because someone would have to get your PIN from the underside of the tag and call it in. Even so, SSN can be protected. I'll keep my interactive.

zac

I posted before I use both versions, but to expand on Dr. Pete's (and other's) reasons for using the interactive ID:

My standard version is a red band wrist one: It is my normal - everyday - when I am at home - one. It lists the necessary contact information as well containing basic and vital first responder information (not on meds and have no allergies).

My interactive ID one is my yellow banded wrist one: I wear this one when I travel or am on vacation. That way I can change the contact/location information to suit where I am located locally and who my local contacts are. Plus I keep my Medical Card information on it and Private Doctor contact information.

So even if you do not have vital medically necessary information, there is still a usefulness (to me) for the interactive ID.

zac

jstillman

+1 on the RoadID wristband. I use the non-interactive one in part because I have a medical allergy. It quickly became second nature to wear it. I originally got mine for running, specifically for marathon training, a lot of which I do alone in rural areas. I now use it for cycling and other activities as well. One benefit I've found that I didn't notice mentioned above is that my wife feels a bit more comfortable about me going out for a solo ride of run in the middle of nowhere.

heads up!

Let's just say it could have used its own RoadID.

DrPete 

Yup, it's hanging in my garage, still broken. The dream is alive, though. I'm hoping in the next year or two, now that I'm done starting a family, taking up triathlon, and buying a house, that I'll get the frame fixed and bring her back as the stunning Italian beauty she still is...

GP

I'm paranoid. I've got the Road ID, ID in my helmet and a laminated card in my pocket. All I need now is a wife that answers her phone.

froggmann

Yep, I work PRN @ Ben Taub on weekends sometimes doing x-ray in the ER. I'm a CT tech @ Hermann during the week. I'm lucky I get to see some amazing stuff.

cycle2death

My mom works in the ICU and has been telling me to get something like this for years now. She's glad to hear I just ordered two; one for me and one for my dad.

skijor

I just received this email response from RoadID...now that's KA cust service!
I asked:
Can I get data etched on both sides if I have too much to fit on one? I'd prefer to forego the artsy stuff and have the additional valuable info on the 2nd side.

Their response:
Hello Timothy,
No problem. This is called a "double sided text" order. We can make an item like this for you for a $5 setup fee. This type of order is not available on the website, so just give us a call anytime between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. eastern, and we'll be happy to place the order for you.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Be safe out there,

Mike Trimpe
Customer Service
Road ID, Inc.
800-345-6336
www.RoadID.com

Pi}{ie

I have somethng similair but it has waterproof paper folded in its called ID on me. It has a huge Medic Alert sign on it. Works great I dont need EMT taking the time to call a number, I've got a crap load of fun that could be a problem in case of an emergency. I just figure a medical alert symbol is a lot more likely to catch the EMT's attention than a phone number when he's trying to stabalize me. I'd rather them rip off a wrist band knowing immediatly I have conditions that could kill me then wait try to stabalize me then call a number to find out woops allergic to a plethora of nasties.

https://www.idonme.com/idonmeProducts.htm

zac

I am starting to rethink all this Road ID stuff; instead on my next tattoo parlor visit, I am having my information inked onto my right arm...oh wait...

C_Heath

Got one, leave it on the seat post but I too slip it on before I head out!

[IMG][/IMG]

vantassell

So i'm still waiting for the definitive wristband vs. necklace advice.

I think a sweaty wristband (and tan line) would be more annoying than a necklace, but i can see how the necklace might come off/break/get covered by a neck brace at the scene. Can i assure my wife that she'll be called if something happens if i have a necklace one?

jotong

For the first responders on this board, is a wrist ID much better than an ankle ID?

crydee

Anyone?