Coffee Break: RoadID WristID Elite

123 Comments

1. I don’t know about this; it makes me feel like a dog on a leash. Besides, what could happen if you didn’t have an ID on you when you’re exercising?

   1. If you get hit by a car w/ no ID they don’t know who you are and can’t notify your next of kin until a missing persons report comes in.

      1. agree with EM below, though would like ER/EMT employees to weigh in on this. How likely is it that the hospital is going to notice this engraving vs. carrying your insurance card, which seems much more rational to me…

         1. My insurance card doesn’t have contact info for my family, nor does it have information about my illnesses. I do see your point in relation to identifying you, though.

   2. My sister is an EMT and has had patients who are not conscious so there are steps taken that they may not want taken for whatever reasons OR they don’t know that the patient is allergic to x, y, z, … and on a personal note, the same sister was involved in an incident that left her on the side of the road — it was only the fact that our uncle (the closest relative to where she’s going to med school) has a very easy to remember phone number that let her tell the people who found her who to call before she lost consciousness… she was very lucky, but many people are not. Even if you eschew this bracelet, I encourage everyone to put an emergency contact card in your wallet. I also have the “locked” screen on my blackberry show my emergency phone numbers

   3. I’m a surgeon. This spring I took care of a healthy 50 year old woman who was hit by a car on her daily 5 mile run. All she had on her was her Ipod, an unmarked house key and her hat. She had terrible injuries including a devastating head injury that required an emergency operation to decompress the pressure on her brain by removing a piece of her skull. I’m sorry if this is too graphic, but this happened on a Friday afternoon. We didn’t find her family until Sunday night. It is a truly terrible feeling as a health care provider to know that you are caring for someone’s wife, mother, sister, etc and to know that a family’s loved one just. didnt. come. home.

      1. That is so sad. I can’t imagine being her family. :(

      2. A young woman was hit by a bus in Washington, DC, in my neighborhood last spring and had terrible head injuries. They didn’t identify her until she didn’t show up for work and her office started calling hospitals.

         1. My American friend was hit by a car while jogging alone in a rural area of France. She speaks no French and was unconscious for 36 hours, and when she came to, she had a lot of trouble (due to physical and mental trauma + language barriers) communicating to people at the hospital how to contact her family, gather her belongings from the hostel (which was about to dispose of them), etc.

         2. Erin–I live in that neighborhood too–that accident actually spurred me to get my own Road ID last August, right after it happened. I have the model that sticks to your shoelaces and it always gives me a sense of comfort when I go running in the morning.

      3. My domestic helper’s son was hit by a car and while he did carry ID, it fell out of his pocket and no one knew his whereabouts for 10 days. It was gut wrenching for all of us, cannot even begin to imagine her mental state. This tag can really be a godsend.

   4. RoadID also makes an ID like this that fits on your shoes. They also have a relatively new service that allows medical providers to get even more information on your via an 800 number, I believe is how it works.

      I am a long-time, long distance runner, and have used the Road ID for years. On a long training run, either in town or out in the country, I am not carrying my insurance card with me. I slip my shoes on, and the ID is right there.

      RoadID gives out free certificates to race directors all over the country–all you have to do is ask. I get half a dozen for every race I direct every year as door prizes, along with coupons for discounts for every runner, and free race numbers. I know this is a promotional idea for the company, but they do seem civic and health-minded.

      Runners need to carry IDs, and this is a great way to do it, and, no, I don’t own stock in the company :)

2. I have one of these. You can usually get a coupon for them at 5ks, etc. There’s also one to attach to your shoe so that you’ll never forget it.

   Johanna — Lots of things can happen. I have fallen while running, and though I was able to get up, it was very easy to imagine a situation where I would have hit my head on the pavement and passed out. I also know a couple of people who have had crashes or medical emergencies on their bikes while riding alone that rendered them unconscious (luckily, everything turned out fine after a quick visit to the ER).

   1. I’m also curious if EMS would check your shoe.

      1. Per my sister, the EMT (she’ s worked in a city and volunteered w/ a suburb for about 7 years and is now in medical school), yes – though a bracelet is a lot more obvious.

      2. Yes. Always. And the inside of your running tights, or call the group who’s throwaway key chain you have your house key on, or scroll through your Ipod for pictures that identify people, or look through your home. They’ll do it all, or the social workers at the hospital that’s taking care of you.

         1. Absolutely — To think that medical workers will not go to great extraordinary lengths to identify you and notify your family is a total misnomer. My sister and a colleague once spent two hours calling every “Jones” in the phone book

            1. Shayna:

               I absolutely did not mean that health care workers wouldn’t care. I completely think they would. I meant is a shoelace/shoe an obvious place to look for identification. I’m sorry if there was confusion. I just didn’t know if every bracelet was checked or only the ones that look like obvious medical bracelets. I hear road ID is pretty popular now so I think it is more likely to get noticed.

            2. Not a problem :-) I just wanted to emphasize that even though faster is obviously better, if there isn’t something on your wrist they will look everywhere else to find a way to ID you — but something on your shoe is fairly common as well.

3. Don’t forget about the Interactive Version for those who are moving or frequently changing meds: http://www.roadid.com/common/compare.aspx. Absolutely worth the money!

   1. The interactive is a joke – when you’re laying on the ground – do you really think the first responders are going to call to query a database to find out your vitals? NO…. so if you’re allergic to latex and they are touching you with gloves. If you have a heart value or on coumadin, then what.

4. I love this and will order one today. I’m lucky enough to live in a place where I can exercise outdoors often, but I’ve often felt unsafe just heading out with my house key tied to my sneaker. This is a great idea — thanks Corporette!!

5. There are lots of companies that engrave jewelry for identification, so if you’re not into the Road ID look, there are other choices. I have a simple silver bracelet with my contact and medical info on it which I wear when riding.

   http://www.americanmedical-id.com/marketplace/category_viewall.php?scrollcat=brac_premier&mastercategory=bracelets

   1. I have a similar bracelet, but I find it hits my wrist annoyingly while running. You’re right, though, it’s great to have options.

      1. If you find the bracelet version annoying, they also make one that goes on your shoe (both a basic ID plate and one with a pouch to hold a key). I have the pouch–it is not intrusive and stays put well when running. Take a look at both products:
         http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=3
         http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=23

         1. To clarify, the style of the RoadID featured here looks perfect to me! I have one in the same vein as the one InkdAtty linked and that is the one that bothers me when running.

            The shoe one is a nice idea, too.

   2. I wear my college ring when running for this very reason. It has my college name/seal and my first name, middle initial, and last name engraved on it. Probably not the quickest means of ID but I do worry about having too much info on me and the alumni association has all my current information including where I work (work has emergency contact info) and any old records they pull would have my parents address/phone number since that was my permanent contact info while I was in school and they still live in the same place.

      1. Just remember that your alumni association may not have office hours on weekends. If you’re hit by a car on Friday, the ER may not be able to reach anyone at your school until Monday morning.

6. I always travel with a spare $20 and my medical insurance card. Just in case.

   1. Very smart — I would add a card w/ your emergency contacts as well in case you are in the hospital and unable to communicate that

7. Great idea! I know a girl who was hit by a biker while running and was in critical condition and ICU for days from head trauma. They had a really hard time tracking down someone to contact because she had no ID on her at the time.

8. This is great! I currently take several different MS medications and am always worried about the interactions between the medications I’m on and medications I could possibly be given if something were to happen to me.

   Sara, I’m pretty set in my meds now. (I’ve finally found a combo that’s working!) But, I’m definitely going to check out the Interactive Version. I used to change meds somewhat frequently, so there’s a possibility I’ll be changing in the future if my current regiment stops producing results.

9. If you’re attacked while you are running, having both your ID and your house keys is the least of your problems.

   The person who attacks you while you are jogging is highly unlikely to be at all interested in your possessions. You don’t have a purse, this isn’t a robbery – the attacker already knows that it is unlikely you are carrying a wallet or anything of value. The attacker wants to hurt you. The danger is in being removed to another location and assaulted or killed.

   If you are worried about getting hit by a car, taken unconscious to the ER, and not being identifiable, then this bracelet is a great idea.

   But from a safety perspective, your best defense is a good offense. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Don’t run outside with headphones because you’ll never hear the attacker coming up behind you. If something looks sketchy, it probably is – get out. Carry your cell phone. Tell someone where you’re going. Learn at least some basic self defense and – most importantly – use everything you have to eff someone up if they try to hurt you.

   1. THANK YOU for the advice/reminder!

      1. Yes, but even in your worst case scenario, it would be helpful for identification to be located on/near your body.

         1. Yes, absolutely. Sorry, I somehow left “carry id” out of my list – I always take my driver’s license with me.

10. I still remember the NYC Jogger case… shudder. I’ll stick to my exercise DVDs, and run around my suburban neighborhoood, thank you very much…

    1. You can get attacked in the ‘burbs just as easily as in the city…

    2. If you like exercising to your DVDs and running in your neighborhood, then more power to you! But if you really would rather exercise in a more urban environment, it is generally not dangerous.

       I run/bike/walk around my city six days a week (and it’s not on the “Safest Places to Live” lists), because attacks like the NYC Jogger case are extremely rare and so unlikely. It’s much more likely that you’ll get hit by a car (or a piece of trash from someone’s car) or that you’ll trip and injure yourself.

    3. I have never felt less safe jogging in big cities than in the midwest town where I’m from. In fact, there tend to be more people out in urban areas, so I’m probably safer because if I scream, someone is likely to be nearby, and if I am injured, someone will pass me soon enough. I don’t think the crime rates in most big cities are higher than in other places. And I would rather run in an urban area than on a sidewalk-less suburban street.

    4. I don’t know whether attacks are more likely in the city or the burbs, but car accidents are possible in either and ID will help in that case.

11. I thought that if you were brought to the ER with a life threatening condition, the hospital had to treat you. Is this correct? Therefore, carrying your insurance card is unnecessary because if your condition is non life threatening, you can just go back to your home/ apartment and get it. I do however see how important it is to have name/contact info so that if you have a serious medical problem, your next of kin can be contacted.

    1. Your insurance card comes w/ your primary care physician’s info as well as your medications that went through insurance (not sure about the $4 generics from Wal-Mart, etc.) — also, if they have the insurance card from the start it will save you a major headache when it comes to the paperwork end later on

       1. Yes, but these medications are not listed directly on the card. I’d rather err on the side of caution and also have my illness listed on a bracelet or something similar.

          You’re right, though, it’s good to have both the card and something like this, if possible.

          1. Absolutely — Always err on the side of caution — I was just trying to explain why the insurance card is a good thing to have (billing issues aside)

       2. My insurance card just has a string of random numbers and letters and information about my copay – no medications or primary care physician. Do I need a better insurance company?

          1. The hospital can look up the information on their system w/ your insurance number… but that takes time, so it is definitely better to clearly identify any major issues like diabetes, hemophilia, etc.

12. I have the RoadID that secures to my shoe–it’s fabulous. You can choose the identifying information you want to include, plus it’s llghtweight and you don’t even notice it while running–it doesn’t flop or squeek or anything like that when attached to your laces. Five stars.

    As a side note, I take the Bar in a week and I’m so thankful to corporette and my fellow posters for the brief daily reprieves from braincombustion for the past two months of studying!!

    1. ^^A-men on the thanks for the Bar breaks!! :-D

       1. Study breaks from bar study SO GREAT!

          1. Hurrah for Sarahs!!

             Hurrah for another study break!! :-D

             1. Hurray for it almost being OVER! (not so hurray for how much I still need to memorize…)

13. I have this on my shoe. It is noticeable on there and I do believe that EMS or a good samaritan would find it without problem if anything happened to me on my run. My name is on it, but not my address. The number is my husband’s cell phone. It has never, ever occurred to me that someone might be able to find me after an attack based on this. I did however see a runner die, without identification, while out on a run while I was training for a marathon. He was in his early 30s and in good shape. He was not identified for several hours after his death. That scared me into never running without this type of ID.

    1. I feel like I’m missing something. Why wouldn’t you want your address on a roadID bracelet?

       1. Anon here, Bonnie. Someone above had mentioned their reasoning for not getting one of these RoadIDs was because an attacker could track you down based on your address. I was just reiterating that I don’t have my address on mine (you can choose what you do and do not list) and do not feel like it’s a threat to have this information on my person while running.

          1. Thanks for the advice and great idea. I often run in the city without any ID and have realized that it’s probably a bad idea. BTW, use code pcTanline6 for 10% off. I just bought the shoe ID and will attach it as soon as I get it!

14. I really like this. I routinely exercise outdoors without ID and I know it is a problem. I think I’m going to purchase for family members who bike/run/walk etc outdoors for exercise. Thanks for posting!!

15. I posted this above, but will re-post here b/c it is important – Even if you are not running there is always a possibility, however remote, that you will be in a position where your family will have to be notified. My family experienced this recently, so I recommend a combination of the following:
    – Most cell phones let you put a message on the “locked” view of the screen – I put my emergency numbers there, that way even if the phone is locked, it is obvious what number to call. I also put my name and the names of the emergency contacts. Put more than one number. The bonus is that beyond it being easy for someone to find, and avoiding the issue of a locked cell phone preventing access to your phone book, it also eliminates the guesswork… for example, “Dad” for me would be an appropriate emergency contact while “home” is useless…I live alone. For someone in their 50s and married “home” is the better bet and “Dad” might give an 80 year old a heart attack.
    – Put a card in your wallet labeled “in case of emergency” and the basic info needed. This may be obvious, but put down area codes (many people don’t)
    – If you live alone, consider putting “emergency contacts” in an obvious spot, as well as keeping an updated hard copy of your address book in an obvious place as well.

16. Our family of serious bicyclists wears Road IDs. Last week my two adult nephews were cycling the same route but 5 miles apart, (one rides fast). The slower was involved in a freak accident and knocked unconscious. Witnesses called for help. Emergency workers immediately saw the Road ID and found the info to call the other nephew. Also saw that the nephew involved in the accident is diabetic which can have a serious impact on how trauma is treated. Road IDs work!

17. Does anyone know how small these run…Am thinking would be a good idea for a friend with a daughter (7) with autism… She out and about quite a bit, and should they ever get separated, this would be helpful as the daughter has limited speech…

    1. great idea

       1. I have had very good success with http://www.stickyj.com/ it may not be the best for serious runners, but you could get her a very pretty bracelet, necklace, etc with the information!

    2. Mine is velcro, so you can make it extremely small (I got the small size, based on the chart on the website). I think there is even an extra small size.

       1. Oops.. just went to the website, and apparently there is no “extra small.” Mine is the small, and it does get very little. I think it would go on a child. There is also an ankle one that might work better since that wouldn’t have to be as small as a wrist one.

    3. The picture on the site shows that the tag is approximately the size of a quarter.
       http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=3

       1. Thanks. I had a chance to look and you can change the color of the straps and they have pink and purple….

    4. If it’s just for occasional use, I recommend http://www.safetytat.com for kids. We use them for outings to the zoo or museums and for family vacations. You can’t put as much info on them as the featured bracelet, but the child also can’t remove them (at least not without some serious scrubbing). I think you can get them with an alert re: medical conditions like autism, as well.

    5. I have “Tottoos” for my small children when we go to amusement parks, etc. http://www.tottoos.org Temporary tattoos with the pertinent information. They can’t be easily removed, which might be good for your friend as well.

    6. They make GPS watches that you can put on your kid so if she gets lost you can track her location. Seems like it’d be perfect for a nonverbal autistic child, assuming she likes wearing the watch and will keep it on.

18. I had thought of getting a dog collar tag from the local pet store to tie into my shoelaces when I run, but this looks like a better option! Thanks!

19. You can also put phone numbers in your iPod under Contacts. I have only a few numbers in it to make it easy for EMS: “me” with my home number, “ICE-mom”, and two close friends.

    1. I think its risky to just have it on an electronic device, which could be dropped/broken/run over/stolen in the horrible event that leads the random stranger to need to know your personal contact info.

       The tags are a great idea – I wouldn’t wear the bracelet, but the shoe tag is definitely great.

       1. Agree – and there’s also the possibility that the person working on you does not know how to work your device (yes most of the world has an ipod…but most is not all), or that you battery dies.

          1. Kat – any chance of amending the comment policy to prohibit individuals from posting more than a given number of comments on a single article?

             1. Or – you could just skip over the comment if you don’t want to read more from that particular individual. Seems simpler.

             2. Agreed that this is the simpler approach – and the one that I employ – but, regardless, both approaches only work online. For those who have to interact with a frequent commenter in real life… act really busy and wear earplugs?

20. As a former EMT, I can tell you that we are all trained to look for medic-alert and other identification bracelets and tags, like this one. While less noticeable on your shoe, the EMTs would still definitely find it since they are usually going to be taking off your shoes during their initial exam. This is a fantastic idea, anyone who exercises outdoors should have one!

    1. I will second that; as a first responder (both ski patrol and firefighter) it has been drilled into us to look for these.

21. I carry my husband’s business card in my wallet. It is labeled “husband” and has his cell number on it.

    1. Now this is a great idea. I could definitely write “In case of emergency call…” on the back of my business card and laminate it and carry with me when I run. And if they got a hold of someone at my office, HR has my emergency contact information.

    2. Great idea!

22. Living in Orlando we have had a number of women attacked on trails, and we also happen to have the highest pedestrian death rate in the nation right now (we make up for it with Disney I suppose). As soon as I saw this I ordered one and stuck it right on my running shoes. It has my name and cell phone numbers for three family members (but not addresses or home phones). The great part it it’s on my shoes, I don’t have to remember to grab it every time I head out, and it’s one less thing to carry on those long runs. Highly highly recommend.

23. If you worry about carrying an ID with your home address on it, you could carry a business card instead. You can also write your allergies and current medications on the back.

24. I gotta say, this is why I really don’t mind going to the gym. I know a lot of people hate it, but in the gym I don’t have to worry about safety every minute, I can just get into a zoned-out place where it’s my music and my thoughts and not have to worry about some psychopath stalking me. A few years ago in our town, a SAHM went out for a quick walk before her son came home from school on the bus – he came home to an empty house and they found her floating in a canal a few days later. She had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and dumped by a convicted sex offender who had been tracking her movements for days. I have a friend who was grabbed one day while she was walking home from taking her daughter to school, and had her baby daughter in a front carrier – the guy was trying to drag her into his truck to take her God knows where. Thankfully she screamed so loudly people came running, which unfortunately you can’t always count on these days. I realize these things don’t always happen and generally it’s safe to exercise outside, but I’ve already been sexually assaulted once in my life and I don’t care to have it happen again. I have pepper spray, a big dog, etc. and it still doesn’t feel okay to me. I’ll take my treadmill at the gym any day over running outside.

    1. Yikes…where do you live???

       1. I think the point is that she could live anywhere – violent crime happens every day. It might not happen to you, or someone you know personally, or someone who lives on your street or in your town, ever, and if so, you are truly blessed – but it CAN happen to anyone, at any time.

    2. Oh my gosh… I’m glad that your friend was alright. I definitely picked the wrong time to read this thread. About to head out for a run. Ack!

    3. I hate to admit it, but the gym is for me too. I like to use my i-pod to exercise and I just can’t do it outside knowing that I’m drowning out noise from potential threats. The only way I go out walking/jogging is with husband or dog. But come to think of it, even out with dog (which has a tendency to bolt for squirrels, etc), I might like to have one of these on my sneaker. Great thought Kat. Stay safe my corporette friends :)!

25. I usually do not post but I am SHOCKED to see people justify why they would not get a Road ID. Please think rationally too people – when you exercise you are wearing half the clothes you normally wear. An emergency worker has “little” place to look for ID. I have had my Road ID for my shoe for over 2 years. It is big enough and won’t get missed – I even have people at the gym tell me I have something stuck to my shoe. It is attached and with me every time I run or head out for some fresh air and movement.
    Please stop making excuses. Get a Road ID or make sure you have a small slip of paper/ID that can identify you.
    Sorry – just need to get this out as I am surprised at how so many people think “it won’t happen to them.”

    1. If anyone isn’t convinced, there are 27 pages of stories of cyclists, runners and others who were hit by cars, took hard falls, or otherwise got injured and their RoadID helped them. My husband is a cyclist and I made him get one of these after one of our friends was in a bike vs. car accident and his wife found out by watching the news. And then had to call the TV station to find out what hospital he’d been taken to. As someone stated above, it happens every day, folks!

       1. I’m sorry, hate to be the downer, but your shoe also isn’t the best place since shoes often get knocked off when you get hit by a large vehicle. So, yeah, your method isn’t fool-proof either. *joining group who only goes to the gym*

          More horrors: outside walkers/runners get attacked by rabid animals all the time, too.

26. Ok, I’m a runner, so I can’t read all these awful stories. I’m freaked out enough running by myself in the city. So I apologize if someone else has mentioned this, but you can get this in a handy velcro thing that goes around your shoe laces. I had the bracelet thing and it bothered me. I love the one that goes around my laces. Be safe!!

27. I agree with the shoe suggestion. I had the version that Velcro’s on the wrist, and it would snag my workout clothes. I think the Elite version featured here would be ideal, it’s a rubbery material so you could wear it swimming as well as running and biking. I love the peace of mind my RoadID provides and think everyone should have one!

28. Just want to add another voice to the throngs advising everyone to get one of these! I’m a marathoner (and a steroid-dependent asthmatic), and I always have my RoadId on my running shoes. Knock on wood, I haven’t needed it yet, but the peace of mind is worth it.

29. yup, just bought the shoe one (i hate anything on my wrist when i run) b/c i literally have nothing but my ipod on me (not even keys, parents don’t lock their doors). worth the $21 bucks in my opinion. great post kat!

30. My husband and I use these and love that we can customize the information. They have a lot of different products that are also useful.

31. For those with ER/EMT family members, who do you suggest putting as the contact? I live on the other side of the country as my parents and I’m new to the area, so I don’t have any friends that I’d consider close enough for engraving. Do I put my parents even though they wouldn’t be able to show up for a day or two? (I don’t have any medical conditions/allergies, so there’s no need to provide immediate info on any of that). Or do I need to find someone local, like at my church, that would come? Is the point to have someone to relay info, or do you sometimes need someone local to sign forms (or the example of the woman in France who needed to collect her things) and just “be there”?

    1. I’m not an EMT. But ten years ago my husband’s dad was knocked off his motorcycle and arrived at the hospital unconscious, and we got the call about it, because my husband’s information was in my FIL’s wallet.
       I know in our case, the most important thing was for personnel at the hospital to get ahold of us and do a few things:
       – Inform us that FIL was at the hospital, what was wrong with him, and what his condition was
       – Get consent for treatment as his next-of-kin
       – They also asked us if we had any insurance info or if we knew his employer (we did not know his insurer but did know where he worked)
       – After the initial call, a doctor called and explained that my FIL was critical and asked my husband about taking “extraordinary measures” to save his life, including putting him on heart/lung bypass, a respirator, etc. We thought at the time he was asking us permission, but I found out later that they would probably have done what they felt was necessary whether or not we wanted it, because my FIL didn’t have a health care power of attorney or living will (both of which I HIGHLY recommend everyone have drawn up).
       My point is, even if your parents are far away, they will be considered your next-of-kin and the people responsible for making health care decisions for you. So it’s best to put their number on the tag, because a friend won’t be able to make the decisions they will. If you have strong opinions about end-of-life care that differ significantly from your parents, that’s where the living will/health care power of attorney comes in. Get them drawn up and give out copies to people who can advocate for you if it comes down to it. My parents have told me they would want to keep me alive at all costs, to the point of leaving me in a vegetative state on a respirator; in my case, my husband will be able to override them, but in the instance he’s also incapacitated, I have named my best friend as the holder of my HCPOA and she will make the appropriate decisions. (The scary thing is apparently some courts have allowed parents to override partner/HCPOA holders in some cases, but that’s another matter.)
       No one wants to think about these things, but take it from me, folks – not thinking about it in advance puts your friends and family members in very tough, agonizing situations as they try to figure out what you would want and what to do for you. They also have absolutely no force of law behind them if they want to do something that runs counter to medical advice.

       1. Don’t forget to discuss organ donation or include it on your ID card if it is important to you. I absolutely want to be an organ donor. My brother, does not. Someone has to make that tough call for you if you haven’t told them your preference. Others are more specific “yes, but not my eyes” etc.

    2. My sister and I had a long chat about this… she’s an EMT/first responder/firefighter, and in medical school, and the consensus was that if you know no one, put down your parents – they’ll know your allergies, any may know closer contacts. In my sister’s case, she was on the side of the road 2 hours from the closest relative, whose number she was able to get out… if she had had an ID on her she would have put down our parents, who would have known what she wanted done in extreme cases, and been able to call/coordinate care remotely until they were able to get there.

    3. Thanks for the replies! Sounds like I need one with my parents at the very least.

32. “For those with ER/EMT family members, who do you suggest”

    For that sentence to make sense, I think I meant who do *they* suggest. But really, anyone’s insight would be helpful :)

33. I have the shoe one and really love it as it gives me peace of mind. Plus this brand is the one that the Versus guys promote on the Tour de France. If it’s good enough for them it’s definitely good enough for me!

    1. ha! When I first saw the headline here, I thought, did Bob Roll put you up to this, Corporette?:)

34. I like this bracelet. Black and silver are nice. Plus, the personalized message like “Never Give Up” is a nice touch. Mine would say, “See you on the other side. Boo!”

35. I grew up in a Marine family and wearing dog tags is always, always done by Marines when jogging etc. It’s part of their training and of course especially important in war zones or foreign countries, but the military people I know won’t go anywhere without one. You can get military-style dog tags online for $6, just as good as the pricier stuff geared towards modern crowd. I think it’s smart to keep this with you always, not just when exercising, tuck it in pocket, purse, etc.

    Thanks Kat, brilliant topic- relevant to all yet hardly discussed. And will motivate me to finally get this together for myself and husband. I need to find something that allows a bit more info to explain a rare health condition- does anyone know how to easily create and laminate a small piece of paper (bus card or smaller size)? I think I’ll do that and punch a hole to string through laces.

    1. While you’re waiting for the id bracelet to arrive, take a pen and write the cell number of your husband/friend on your palm or inside of your arm. Scrub off when you get home. I do it when I’m out of town running.

       1. I had a medical test that involved putting metal in my body for 24-48 hours. During that time frame I could not have an MRI under any circumstances. The doctors had me write “no MRI” in sharpie on my hands so that if I was in a car accident first responders would know. It washed off just about the time the metal was no longer an issue.

    2. if you write or print it out, most copy stores/office stores (kinko’s, staples, etc) will be able to laminate for you.

    3. I’ve always “home laminated” paper by wrapping it with wide clear tape.

36. I am so grateful that I live in one of the least-crime ridden countries on the planet!! Walked 4 miles late last night on my own + iPod and didn’t bother about attackers. There’s a lot to be said for a zero tolerance policy:)

    1. I hope I’m not over-posting here – I just am really interested in this topic. Are you in Singapore by chance? I had family living there who talked about how safe it was and it really is zero tolerance. (Though that doesn’t protect you from having a medical emergency or getting hit by a car.)

       1. Yes!! You are right – it doesn’t preclude accidents. But I always pick roads with a sidewalk/pavement (it’s rare that I cannot find one). Urban planning here is incredible!

37. This is a great idea, and I’m going to order one. I remember Chandra Levy, so I never leave the house without ID in my pocket but this is much handier

38. I’m a diabetic, so I have a medical ID bracelet (looks nice, metal piece with “diabetes” engraved”, but interchangeable bracelets, so it looks like a nice moutain crystal one) but that only says that I’m a diabetic, which anybody in healthcare would be able to see, as I also carry an insulin pump…

    I don’t run, and in the gym they know my name (and it’s on my card, my heartrate monitor etc.) and I never exercise outside alone, or am somewhere without my purse.

    I do like to know that should anything happen, the EMT’s will know my illness right away, and the gym will be able to identify me (and my BF and parents, as they are registered there as my ICOE-people).

    Still, maybe this bracelet would be nice, ust for when I go somewhere alone and my bag may be lost…

39. I grew up in rural Montana and had no need to wear any form of identification on me during my runs on gravel roads. Then I moved to college in Minnesota and began realizing the dangers of slipping on ice, slipping on ice and falling onto a road with oncoming traffic, running out in front of a car that you just couldn’t see because of a giant pile of snow, and the hazards of winter running can go on and on. Although I’m still in college I have spent most of this past year in Washington, DC.

    It wasn’t until I moved here that I got my RoadID ankle band. I feel anxious the few times I forget to wear it, and once I return to MN I’ll wear it every run (esp. in the winter). It’s purpose is for emergency identification; I figure that an attacker doesn’t really care who the runner is that they’re taking down and I don’t think they’ll be looking at what’s around my ankles.

    Rock on, run on RoadID!

40. was hit by a bike on my run Sunday – nothing serious at all, didn’t even fall down (guy wasn’t paying attention) but it made me think I should have something like this. I ordered the ankle one today, hoping it doesn’t rub funny – I feel like I’d prefer that to something on my wrist. In the heat I even forego a watch when possible because it bothers me.

    1. The ankle RoadID doesn’t rub, in fact I always forget I’m wearing it. Very comfortable, enjoy!

    2. 2nd the ankle RoadID. I also dislike the feel of something ‘choking’ my wrist, so I purchased the ankle version over a year ago for the same reasons you stated. To echo Whitney, I don’t feel (or notice) the ankle RoadID after I put it on. I only remember to take it off when I see it during the post-run stretching.

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