[QUOTE=FrittSkritt;7459116]
I feel like USEA should have vetted all of this before they released the rule change – there are so many options out there, with varying levels of information available. Based on them using RideSafe as the example, it would seem like they want us to only use ones that have medical info online…?[/QUOTE]
I just think the whole thing is a little ridiculous. Considering how inaccurate armbands can be (people have borrowed mine. Up until someone forgot to give mine back for a year, the info on mine was about 8 years out of date. Even though I turned mine in at Midsouth, no one checked to see that the info was up to date- it wasn’t). Sooooo, how do they plan on enforcing any of this? What info will they want immediately available on the bracelet (I’m bad. Haven’t read the rule yet). I’m glad we can wear the bracelets and I probably will forgo my armband in lieu of my bracelet. But how will they keep up with this, as they’ve never been great on staying on top of armbands.
[QUOTE=yellowbritches;7459158]
I just think the whole thing is a little ridiculous. Considering how inaccurate armbands can be (people have borrowed mine. Up until someone forgot to give mine back for a year, the info on mine was about 8 years out of date. Even though I turned mine in at Midsouth, no one checked to see that the info was up to date- it wasn’t). Sooooo, how do they plan on enforcing any of this? What info will they want immediately available on the bracelet (I’m bad. Haven’t read the rule yet). I’m glad we can wear the bracelets and I probably will forgo my armband in lieu of my bracelet. But how will they keep up with this, as they’ve never been great on staying on top of armbands.[/QUOTE]
True. Although I’m sure Pony Clubbers (who currently have to wear their armbands at unmounted Quiz Rallies) will be be rejoicing at the possibility that PC will pick up the change. :lol:
So is any medical bracelet (online version) acceptable, or does it have to be the Ride Safe?
As someone who spends a ton of time as SJ or XC warm-up steward, this is not going to make me happy. If you are wearing long sleeves, you will have to take your hand off the reins to push it up to show the steward you are wearing the bracelet and it will be much harder to spot check if the bracelet is really yours/has the correct ID if it is the type where info is online, not typed on the bracelet.
[QUOTE=Snugglerug;7459260]
So is any medical bracelet (online version) acceptable, or does it have to be the Ride Safe?[/QUOTE]
Yes, I would like to know also because I liked the Wrist ID Slim someone posted.
I guess I’d rather have my medical information right there on me, in pen & paper, rather than having to call or look it up. I also think the armband would be more comfortable than a bracelet, but that’s just me!
The USEA press release is misleading. The USEF rule change permits any type of bracelet that provides a telephone or URL connection to retrieve critical medical information. The USEA has a marketing arrangement with RideSafe and reference only that brand in the notification. You are free to decide for yourselves which product works best for you regardless of the post on the USEA website.
Malcolm
Am I the only one that finds the USEA marketing arrangement with RideSafe objectionable? I think to put out a rule change and to name a specific manufacturer (whether required or not) as very misleading, maybe intentionally so, for the membership.
I understand that USEA has sponsors but they should be segregated from rules changes.
The news piece announcing the rule change mentions RideSafe, but that’s NOT in the official rule:
EV113 Medical Requirements [CHAPTER EV-1 General Rules for all Eventing
Competitions] change to read:
- MEDICAL CARDS/MEDICAL BRACELETS. An approved and completed medical
card or medical bracelet is required any time while jumping. It Medical cards must
be enclosed in a transparent, waterproof carrier. It Medical cards must be securely attached to the competitor’s upper arm on the outside of the competitor’s clothing. Medical bracelets must be visible on the competitor’s wrist. It Medical cards must include any relevant medical history, injury (particularly to the head), drug allergies and current medication.
If wearing a medical bracelet, any relevant medical history injury (particularly to the head) drug allergies and current medication must be included in the online medical form of the bracelet’s vendor website. Athletes are responsible to record all injuries on the card. or in the case of a medical bracelet, update their medical information online. Failure to wear one’s own medical card or bracelet shall be penalized by a fine of $100. (Payable to the Organizing Committee)
(bolding mine)
How are they going to enforce that?
[QUOTE=FitToBeTied;7460159]
Am I the only one that finds the USEA marketing arrangement with RideSafe objectionable? I think to put out a rule change and to name a specific manufacturer (whether required or not) as very misleading, maybe intentionally so, for the membership.[/QUOTE]
I suspect it was a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation. If they hadn’t mentioned any vendors, people would be saying, “How are we supposed to know which vendors are considered acceptable or ideal for this!?” If they’d published a list of multiple vendors who might be appropriate for the rule, then they’re “on the hook” with USEA members for each and every single vendor’s ability to meet the terms of the USEA agreement, the quality of the product and the speed at which it is shipped, etc. Since they couldn’t win no matter what route they took, they probably chose the devil that would satisfy the widest audience: it would only miff people like you, would satisfy people who wanted to run out and buy an appropriate product ASAP, and would give people who wish to pursue other products a good baseline for comparison.
However, it probably would have been prudent to include a line in the press release that said “You can buy whatever brand you want as long as it fits within the rule. We are not expressly endorsing this RideSafe product.”
I never even thought about having ID on ME when trail riding alone. This is a great idea. I just ordered a slim Road ID for myself and looking to get one for a friend who events.
I think there’s enough room even on the non-online version for most people to put on relevant information. I got my name, year of birth, blood type, two ICE contact numbers, town and state and a line at the bottom that says NO ALLERGIES, NO MED HX. Now if I was on any important to note medications like Coumadin or had major allergies or implants I could take off the location line and write them in. Emergency responders don’t need my complete medical history and there is noting on there that would affect any future medical decisions anyhow.
My understanding was that emergency responders can’t use a lot of the information listed. For instance, they can’t take my word on blood type, they need to check.
I do think it is useful to have medical conditions/allergies listed, to point them in the right direction, as well as emergency contacts, but I think they have to err on the safe side in terms of self-reported data, because it could be incorrect for a number of reasons (misinformed, forgot to add new med, wearing the wrong band, etc.)
[B]Ride Safe ID bracelets may be worn instead of the traditional medical armband. They are an easy, comfortable way to wear your medical information on your wrist, and are designed to be worn all day, every day.
With the bracelet, your medical information will be on your person at all times and for every ride. In case of an accident where your emergency information is required, a “first responder” (can be anyone from a friend, family member, or trained medical staff) can gain immediate access to your medical information by entering the information on your medical bracelet into the website (www.teamridesafe.com) via phone or computer. This facilitates rapid medical response in an emergency, when expedience is critical.
Learn more about Ride Safe ID bracelets at www.teamridesafe.com.[/B]
This immediately followed the posting of the rule on the USEA website and is still there. There is no mention of being able to use any other bracelet or wristband. It is an out and out promotion of a particular product that satisfies the rule and placed so it looks like it is the only one that can be used.
Personally, I go by what a RULE says, not what a press release says, even a USEA press release. If I have a question about interpreting the language of a rule I contact USEA and direct my question to the appropriate person or department.
Press releases are all well and good, but I don’t treat the words in them as gospel.
I just want to note that after wearing a Ride-Safe bracelet daily for almost 3 years, the ID number on the back does wear out.
I still like it as it is something to identify the body when I hack out.
I like the idea of the bracelet versus the armband, very much. I’m trying to compare Ridesafe with RoadID in between assignments at work. Anyone with a verdict on which is the better deal. $35 is a bit pricey and I need to buy two. It does seem like anything at all to do with horses automatically doubles the price.
nevermind. Don’t mind me apparently my brain isn’t functioning, I just saw it’s completely adjustable.
However I agree with FatCat on price. Why people think those of us with horses have all this fun disposable income I will never know. All my money goes into just keeping him, anything else is just “do I eat pbj sandwiches for a month so I can go to the fun show or not?”
[QUOTE=eponacowgirl;7458873]
http://useventing.com/news/rule-change-medical-bracelets-acceptable-jumping-phases-lieu-medical-armbands[/QUOTE]
It would be cool to see this product incorporated into a watch (said the English major/lawyer whose sole engineering credential is that I read Popular Science on the commode).
Would cut down on how much stuff you have to pack and wear.
I like the idea of having an full time medical bracelet which means one less thing to worry about when heading out for SJ/XC. I have had to return to the trailer for the arm band for others and for myself.
But agree with Scubed - it will present some challenges for the warm-up stewards. Mainly because some of the bracelets look almost the same as say the “livestrong” bracelets. Not impossible to define, but will require more than checking for a armband as a rider goes by.
