I would hope that the medical staff on call at an event would be made aware of the bracelet requirement and know to look there. Whether it is practical or even possible for them to go online is another question, but I would not worry about them not being aware of the bracelets in the first place. That might be an issue in other situations, but surely not at an event where we are required to wear them (or an armband).
[QUOTE=Snugglerug;7496454]
I would hope that the medical staff on call at an event would be made aware of the bracelet requirement and know to look there. Whether it is practical or even possible for them to go online is another question, but I would not worry about them not being aware of the bracelets in the first place. That might be an issue in other situations, but surely not at an event where we are required to wear them (or an armband).[/QUOTE]
Depends on the situation. The EMT’s may be working an event for the first time. So while they are advised of the armbands, they may well forget this information when faced with a medical emergency. Based on my own experience with non-medical situations, I go to my basic training and forget the “extranous” stuff.
I like the idea of placing the “staff of asclepius” on the new “wristbands” as noted by bensmom.
[QUOTE=fooler;7496604]
Depends on the situation. The EMT’s may be working an event for the first time. So while they are advised of the armbands, they may well forget this information when faced with a medical emergency. Based on my own experience with non-medical situations, I go to my basic training and forget the “extranous” stuff.
I like the idea of placing the “staff of asclepius” on the new “wristbands” as noted by bensmom.[/QUOTE]
I agree…If I had a significant health issue or allergy…I think I would wear a normal well recognized medical alert bracelet …and then also whatever I need for the Eventing rules.
I have a $1 off code for Road ID http://RoadID.com/invite/VMHX-TAF9VVX3PP8 if anyone wants it. Mine came in less than a week and was easy to set up.
[QUOTE=Bensmom;7496308]
Edited again to add that in poking around on RoadID’s site, you can add a badge with the medic alert symbol to the bracelet. Which seems like a good idea to differentiate it from other bracelets with which it might be confused.[/QUOTE]
I too think adding the medic alert symbol as a badge is a great idea and could not find where that is an option with the RideSafe Bracelets. I trail ride too and sometimes alone, so will be riding with this bracelet on outside of eventing. I also ride a motorcycle too where it wouldn’t hurt to have it on either.
I don’t think the RideSafe bracelets have it as an option. The Road ID does, and the other one (that I cannot remember the name of at the moment! argh) did too. You can also google medical alert bracelets and find a number of vendors that use the standard symbol and maintain a computer system to keep the info.
I wasn’t worried so much about the safety officer and EMTs on site not knowing to look for the armbands, as I expect at the safety briefing that will be covered (though as fooler noted, in an emergency, people frequently revert to what they already know well, rather than run through newly acquired info.) I was thinking more about what blackwly said back up thread:
I, however, would wear one if I had the conditions I mentioned earlier (anaphylactic allergies, serious chronic conditions that could render me unconscious like type 1 DM or arrythmia, chronic use of medications like anticoagulants.) First responders and ER/trauma physicians are going to notice a medic-alert bracelet because they are common in the general population.
I was thinking more of the trauma docs that would be treating you at the hospital – if they are trained to look for the medic-alert symbol, I think having it on whatever bracelet you end up with would be very helpful and serve two purposes. They are surely not going to have any idea about the sport’s requirements of an armband, so having an easily recognized symbol on it seems like a great idea. I’ve got several drug allergies, so I’m planning to make sure I wear one and will probably always have it on from now on, as until this discussion, I hadn’t really thought much about it. 
[QUOTE=Bensmom;7497232]
I was thinking more of the trauma docs that would be treating you at the hospital – if they are trained to look for the medic-alert symbol, I think having it on whatever bracelet you end up with would be very helpful and serve two purposes. They are surely not going to have any idea about the sport’s requirements of an armband, so having an easily recognized symbol on it seems like a great idea. I’ve got several drug allergies, so I’m planning to make sure I wear one and will probably always have it on from now on, as until this discussion, I hadn’t really thought much about it. :)[/QUOTE]
That makes sense.
I sent this letter to USEF, but did not get a response:
I have been following the recent rule change regarding medical bracelets via Eventing Nation, and want to express my disappointment with this rule. As a long-time avid cyclist, I have been wearing a Road ID for years, for cycling and riding my horse. These bracelets are very comfortable, much more than a traditional eventing medical armband, so I was initially delighted with the change. The disappointing part is the online requirement, not because of the cost, but because of the functionality, or lack thereof.
I have never subscribed to the Road ID online service for many reasons. First and foremost, if I am injured, the last thing I want is a delay in treatment because someone is fumbling with their phone attempting to access an online site for my medical history. And honestly, I am not confident that first responders will even go to the trouble when they are busy tending to me, based on conversations with first responders working in the field. Secondly, despite great advances in technology, cell phone service is not reliable in many remote areas where horse trials take place. Finally, a first responder doesn’t need to know every medical detail, as there is limited information that they need and can use for the initial treatment that they provide.
Personally, I feel much more prepared by having all of my information right on my arm where a first responder can garner what he or she needs at a glance so they may proceed with emergency care. I do not have to worry about a delay in care because a medic has to unglove to try to access my info on his or her phone. Spotty cell service will not affect my care. And EVERYTHING they need is right on my arm. My Road ID contains:
NAME/BIRTH YEAR
ICE PHONE NUMBER 1 (family member)
ICE PHONE NUMBER 2 (someone who knows what to do with my horse)
ICE PHONE NUMBER 3 (this line could be used for something else)
NKA - BLOOD TYPE - NO MED HX (because I have no medical history relevant to emergency care)
INSURANCE CARRIER - MILITARY SPOUSE (this line could be used for something additional)
First responders do not need to know that I had rotator cuff surgery in 1995, my address, or the name of my general doctor that I never visit. They need to know of any allergies, the fact that I don’t have any significant medical history (in other words, no head injuries), my name and age, and who to call.
It would make a lot more sense to offer three simple options for riders:
-
A bracelet with NO online service, but the requirement that it MUST contain certain information; such as name, birth year, at least one contact phone number, brief significant medical history if applicable (head injury 2006, asthma, etc), allergies, blood type, and insurance. There is quite a bit of room for this information on the bracelet. Riders who have more significant medical history must select one of the following options.
-
A bracelet with the online service, for those who cannot fit their medical history on a bracelet. That said, as a competitor, I am absolutely not comfortable relying on this option.
-
The traditional arm band, for those who need more room to transcribe their medical history. I will continue to wear the uncomfortable arm band before I will place my life in the hands of the internet.
As a rider, I wanted to express my concerns about this issue from a practical standpoint. I hope that you will take this under strong consideration, as I believe that the bracelets are a fantastic idea, but there are much safer options than attempting to utilize an online service.
I’ve read this entire thread and given this some thought. At first I was thinking about just staying with the armband in light of the fact that I own it and using it would require no effort or money spent on my part. Then a friend mentioned that having the wrist bracelet would absolutely eliminate forgetting my armband back at the stall. So I bought the 1BandID (http://www.1bandid.com/) and put it on my watchband and now I wear it every day, which is great, because I ride out alone a lot. I have NKA, no recent TBI, no major illness that would affect emergency treatment. I have my ICE contact on it, even my insurance info, in case I get to the hospital without my purse, friend, husband or wits about me. The 1bandID checks every box for me without having an online connection, costs $20 and was delivered to my house in 10 days. It might not satisfy the rule (because it has no associated website), but it satisfies the actual emergency requirement for me quite well. I plan on wearing it at horse trials this summer. I’ll keep the emergency armband in the trailer, and in the case that the lack of internet connection bothers the TD or PJG, I’ll wear the armband (too). I think BFNE’s rule language change is brilliant and I think she should send it directly to Malcolm Hook and the USEF.
[QUOTE=Bensmom;7497232]
I don’t think the RideSafe bracelets have it as an option. [/QUOTE]
Not that I am aware of. So when I ordered mine (I only did b/c a friend had a group discount), I had my medication allergy smack in the middle in ALL CAPS. And it’s bright blue and the clasp has a big red cross on it, so I hope that’d catch an eye – at least my allergy is to antibiotics and not, say, latex or painkillers, in which case I might just have it tattoo’d on my face!
[QUOTE=flypony74;7497385]
Personally, I feel much more prepared by having all of my information right on my arm where a first responder can garner what he or she needs at a glance so they may proceed with emergency care. I do not have to worry about a delay in care because a medic has to unglove to try to access my info on his or her phone. Spotty cell service will not affect my care. And EVERYTHING they need is right on my arm. My Road ID contains:
NAME/BIRTH YEAR
ICE PHONE NUMBER 1 (family member)
ICE PHONE NUMBER 2 (someone who knows what to do with my horse)
ICE PHONE NUMBER 3 (this line could be used for something else)
NKA - BLOOD TYPE - NO MED HX (because I have no medical history relevant to emergency care)
INSURANCE CARRIER - MILITARY SPOUSE (this line could be used for something additional) [/Quote]
Just FYI, from everything I’ve read, EMTs and the hospital will ignore the blood type you list and will only transfuse “universal donor” until they get your blood typed and matched. So, leaving that off might leave more room for something else.
I agree that IF you can fit all significant info on your ID, then it should be acceptable. The only things I think could be at issue are that an interactive bracelet allows for you to update info as you go along (new meds/injuries/change in insurance policy).
Also, when I responded earlier, someone pointed out that they’ve never felt comfortable including their insurance # on the USEA med card. So, if you wanted to ensure that info is only accessed by someone who should have access to it, the interactive ID seems safest.
I’m going to my first schooling show of the season next weekend, so went ahead and bit the bullet and purchased a RoadID bracelet in red with the blue Star of Life/Medic Alert symbol badge along with 3 others, LOL! (3DAY EVENTER!; JUST JUMP IT! and LIVE LOVE RIDE!), to make it fun. Wasn’t cheap but what the hey? And yes I do know they’re not required at schooling shows, but it will already be in place by the time we do a horse trial later in the season. Like I said, it will be multipurpose for me personally.
I splurged and got badges with all 3 of my horses’ names on them. Still not much more expensive than those nameplate bracelets I coveted as a kid
[QUOTE=Highflyer;7500113]
I splurged and got badges with all 3 of my horses’ names on them. Still not much more expensive than those nameplate bracelets I coveted as a kid :)[/QUOTE]
Oh yeah, I remember those. Bought one for a boyfriend who bounced around so much between the neighborhood girls that one Dad referred to him as The Bouncing Ball. :rolleyes: Total waste of money, that! This is much more well spent. Yes, I’m sure my daughter will want her pony’s name on hers when it’s time for her to have one. She is doing her first 3phase at the schooling show too. She is 8 and doing amoeba.
Seconding KayBee’s point about blood type. I worked in a major medical center’s blood bank for years. We didn’t draw donors, we typed and matched blood for patients (especially members of the local knife and gun club just after the bars closed on weekends). We NEVER would believe what someone said their blood type was, and even on a patient who had been in the hospital for days and received a transfusion, we’d retype them from a new sample every few days (if more blood was required).
I have no idea why someone decided this was important information for the armbands. IMHO, it has no practical use.
Hi - has anyone had any issues with getting their order delivered? I bought mine in late January, and after two months and a few non-committal emails about supply issues, I still haven’t received my bracelet.
Really disappointed, and I’m an idiot for not checking with them for the fourth time before the 60 days was up for me to petition Paypal for a refund.
Please tell me someone knows someone that can help get me either my bracelet or a refund. Advice?
Just thought I would pass this along. Had my first lesson of the season now that my trainer is back from Aiken. I wore my bracelet to my lesson with me yesterday (I have a road ID with pertinent info, not Internet access, as he lives in a low lying valley and I doubt Internet is an option there). While he knows me and my horse, I doubt he would know how to contact my husband if I were to fall and need to go to an ER. I thought this was another good place to wear it. Some casual contacts we have may not know info like that, and having an unobtrusive bracelet on with this info could be helpful
I just wanted to add that I ordered a ridesafe bracelet about a month ago, got a confirmation, my credit card was charged, and I have still not received it. I did send an email to the company asking when my bracelet would be shipped and still have not received an email back.
[QUOTE=mgoblue;7507258]
I just wanted to add that I ordered a ridesafe bracelet about a month ago, got a confirmation, my credit card was charged, and I have still not received it. I did send an email to the company asking when my bracelet would be shipped and still have not received an email back.[/QUOTE]
Ditto here. I ordered the very day that the USEA published the announcement, and I haven’t heard anything about my order since then. Color me unimpressed.
I’ve ordered from Road ID three or four times and have had my product in hand within a few days to a week, tops. FYI for those who are considering which one to purchase…fabulous, consistent service from Road ID.
