A New ID That Could Save Your Life
When I took a road trip with my 6-year old daughter in June 2007, I became very concerned about what would happen if one or both of us were to become injured or separated during our trek. My daughter knows how to use a basic cell phone and dial 9-1-1, but could she provide the basic information to emergency personnel. While my driver’s license would probably give them quite a bit to start with in that scenario, what about a situation when we are on one of our bike rides around Salem Lake and I don’t bring my wallet along. That’s where a new product called Road ID comes to the rescue.
Many of you probably have heard of Medic Alert. I even wore one of those bracelets a couple of decades ago, but either lost it or found it to be no longer in vogue and trashed it. Road ID has a more active person look and a couple of choices for how you want to display it: wristband, ankle band, necklace or shoelace. I chose the nylon wristband, with velcro sizing and stainless steel ID plate. The band comes in several different colors so you can color coordinate it to your favorite activewear attire.
With Road ID you have your choice of Original or Interactive. The Original mimics the Medic Alert template giving you 6 lines for you to add the information of your choice. The Interactive is an online approach that gives you 2 lines for your own message followed by 4 lines of instructions to the First Responder on what number to call or website to visit to get more information about you. I chose the Interactive style, which affords me the opportunity to update my information as needed without changes to my ID plate.
Once your ID arrives in the mail, you remove the tamper-proof covering and log into MyRoadID.com to register your ID using the serial and PIN number stamped on the underside of the ID plate. With your online account set up, you can begin to create your profile giving as much information as you feel comfortable with over a secured web page. I limited my information to name, address, emergency contacts including physician, allergies and prescription drug information. Should Road ID’s site ever get hacked, the hacker wouldn’t get any more information than reading the label off my Allegra prescription sitting on the shelf awaiting pickup at my local pharmacy.
What is really cool about Road ID is being able to listen to what a First Responder would hear when calling the toll-free number with my data. The digital voice does a remarkable job with enunciating names and I don’t have a common name like “Smith”.
With a price tag of just $20 for the wristband and a free 1-year subscription when choosing the Interactive service, I bought one for my wife and daughter as well. They’ll be a welcome addition during travel, hiking, biking, etc.
on December 27th, 2007 at 11:25 am
sounds like an excellent product that could be highlighted on the local newscast. all of our 4 local stations have a “health” segment. also, it’s refreshing to hear good informative news instead of the same horror story retold a dozen times.
I’m not a medical professional, however, I hear that each second counts towards saving a life or preventing an injury from becoming more serious.
on December 27th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
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on December 28th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Sounds like a good idea and a good service; however, you’re wise to give just the basic information. Too many services these are asking for way too much information.
on December 30th, 2007 at 9:58 am
As a health care provider who had worked a few years in the ER, this ID would be a valuable benefit to initiating care to some who is unconscious or incoherent when they arrive at the ER doors. Just be sure the info includes your hospitalization insurance coverage! ;>)
on November 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I agree with Uncle Met, however some people have way more information to pass on than could possibly be engraved on a piece of ID jewelry. Those people should carry a card in thier purse or wallet, and the jewelry only needs to say “See Card In Purse” or Wallet.
on November 17th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
The RoadID has 2 options: engrave limited personal info or direct the reader to contact RoadID either via its website or toll-free number. I chose the latter option, which gives me the ability to give as much info as I want as well as change it as needed.
The “See Card in Purse” idea is a good one except what does one do when the victim is unconcious on the sidewalk after a thief has just stolen their wallet or purse? While this may seem an extreme example, is it really that uncommon?
As a novice ATX biker, I take the essentials for fixing a flat tire but leave my wallet in the car. The RoadID gives access to potential lifesaving information and not my credit cards, drivers license, et cetera to someone less than a Good Samaritan.
Thanks for commenting Kevin!