Because among other things, I've been sick, and it would really suck if I was out and about somewhere without my wallet ID and an emergency occurred.
What would suck worse is if it happened while I was out surfing at the beach or biking the back roads downtown, where about 80% of the people are strangers from out of town.
So, I went to every single medical ID store you could ever find online and I'm posting my top 5 Medical/Safety ID's for extreme sport enthusiasts. (No metal bracelets here!!!)
See my blog about free medical ID's that you can print for your wallet:
http://surfingblondie.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-medical-ids-piy-print-it-yourself.html
See my blog about free medical ID's that you can print for your wallet:
http://surfingblondie.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-medical-ids-piy-print-it-yourself.html
1. Xtreme Sports ID $10 USD
This ID rocks because it's completely waterproof, it never falls apart, it doesn't "stand out", and there is no personalization or expensive engraving required!
Why??
The company uses an online system to update your ID information instead of having you buy another wristband when your medical information changes. On your wristband there is a unique number already permanently printed onto the bracelet, along with an 800 toll free number and a Medical Alert symbol. You never have to change your wristband- you only have to log onto your online account to change the information!
Paramedics will recognize the alert symbol on the wristband and will call that 800 number with your personal ID number, and the phone system will give them your Emergency information.
What's the catch?
There is no catch. The wristband is $10, comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and comes with one free year of online service. After that it only costs $5 to renew every year!
That's $25 less than all other popular online medical ID services available!
The wristband is great for surfing, for school, showering, shopping, schlepping, and stretching. It looks like every other rubber wristband on the market, meaning it's discreet and people won't know that you're actually wearing a medical ID. It's also very comfortable!
It's perfect for surfer safety, functioning as a regular ID for the unfortunate mishaps in the surf, and for other sports as well.
2. ER Medical ID $7 USD
The custom, economical, rubber wristband I.D.
http://www.ermedicalid.com
Similar concept as the Xtreme Sports ID- without the annual phone line charge. Instead, ERmedicalID offers unlimited access of a web database with all of your emergency information- for FREE!
These wristbands come debossed with your last name, primary medical condition/medication, and your member number. On the inside of the bracelet is a website address where your member number can be used to give an ER access to all of the medical information that you list on your profile. It's an extremely secure system, and you get keep the same member number forever.
Video about ER Medical ID:
3. Mediband $2- $5 USD
The fully customized, rubber, wristband style I.D.
http://www.mediband.com/Create-Your-Own/c54/cat-index.html
This wristband is the same concept as the two other silicone bracelet companies, except these are completely customizable to your liking. Colors, font, symbols, and the information are all listed according to how you want it.
Mediband also provides a large number of pre-made wristbands for conditions such as Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma, and Food Allergies. Every wristband comes in multiple sizes to ensure a good fit.
I have personally used one of the pretty "write-on" Medibands and it's discreet enough to wear even with nice clothes- unfortunately the Sharpie marker does rub off a bit and needs to be retouched every month.
4. Vital ID- Medical Alert Bracelet $15 USD
The popular, waterproof, sportband I.D.
The custom, economical, rubber wristband I.D.http://www.ermedicalid.com
Similar concept as the Xtreme Sports ID- without the annual phone line charge. Instead, ERmedicalID offers unlimited access of a web database with all of your emergency information- for FREE!
These wristbands come debossed with your last name, primary medical condition/medication, and your member number. On the inside of the bracelet is a website address where your member number can be used to give an ER access to all of the medical information that you list on your profile. It's an extremely secure system, and you get keep the same member number forever.
Video about ER Medical ID:
3. Mediband $2- $5 USDThe fully customized, rubber, wristband style I.D.
http://www.mediband.com/Create-Your-Own/c54/cat-index.html
This wristband is the same concept as the two other silicone bracelet companies, except these are completely customizable to your liking. Colors, font, symbols, and the information are all listed according to how you want it.
Mediband also provides a large number of pre-made wristbands for conditions such as Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma, and Food Allergies. Every wristband comes in multiple sizes to ensure a good fit.
I have personally used one of the pretty "write-on" Medibands and it's discreet enough to wear even with nice clothes- unfortunately the Sharpie marker does rub off a bit and needs to be retouched every month.
4. Vital ID- Medical Alert Bracelet $15 USD
The popular, waterproof, sportband I.D.
This is the "original" non-engraved, waterproof medical ID. The wristband functions much like an extra-long watch band that wraps around your wrist and sticks to itself. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes- and accommodates for children, teens and adults.There are no personally identifying marks on the outside of the wristband, but it is clearly marked as an emergency ID. The personal information exists inside of the wristband, on a skinny little waterproof card that you write on with a Sharpie permanent marker. There is a place for your name, medical conditions and allergy information, doctor and family phone numbers, and your medications. If your information ever changes, you simply throw the old card away and write on a new one (each wristband comes with two). Additional replacement cards are available online from the manufacturer and from other online retailers.
This wristband works great with wetsuits- you can attach it to your wrist, much like a surfboard leash does to your ankle, and it stays snug the entire time.
Though this wristband is waterproof (and so is the paper card insert), it's not the most comfortable thing to wear against your skin when wet. If you've ever had a fabric "sports" watchband, you'll know what I'm talking about. It gets wet, and it stays wet- becoming funky and itchy and gross on the inside if you don't take it off to dry.
Though this wristband is waterproof (and so is the paper card insert), it's not the most comfortable thing to wear against your skin when wet. If you've ever had a fabric "sports" watchband, you'll know what I'm talking about. It gets wet, and it stays wet- becoming funky and itchy and gross on the inside if you don't take it off to dry.
Other than that single grievance, this wristband remains to stay a favorite among Medical ID wearers and is going to be around for a long time.
If you want something inexpensive, that you can wear in the ocean, and can change the info as needed with no online subscriptions- then this is the wristband for you!
5. Response ID
The basic, informative, luggage tag I.D.
http://www.responseid.com
The only drawback to using this ID is that it is not a bracelet, but a personalized bag tag that you can clip to your clothing or anything you carry. This means that it isn't necessarily on you at all times, especially if you do a water sport like surfing.
This tag is great for bikers, snowboarders, skaters, joggers, and BMX because it can be clipped to any of your sports clothing or equipment bags. Because of its high durability and waterproof factor, it'll be sure to last you a long time. It has the added bonus of fitting inside a wallet for when you don't want to wear it.
6. Sport ID (Vital ID) - Helmet Sticker
The reflective, sticker, helmet I.D.
http://vitalid.ca
I had to include this one because it's so dang useful. You can stick this baby to ANYTHING! Skateboards, cell phones, water bottles, snowboard helmets, iPods, even on a prescription bottle (if you carry one with you).
Granted- it isn't suitable for water sports, but it is waterproof enough for things like rain, sweat, and random lawn sprinklers. It won't get in the way of your activity at all, and is reflective enough to be noticed in an emergency. It's unique in that it uses the same ID system as the Vital ID bracelets, except the information strip is inserted inside of the helmet sticker- not a wristband.
5. Response ID
The basic, informative, luggage tag I.D.http://www.responseid.com
The only drawback to using this ID is that it is not a bracelet, but a personalized bag tag that you can clip to your clothing or anything you carry. This means that it isn't necessarily on you at all times, especially if you do a water sport like surfing.
This tag is great for bikers, snowboarders, skaters, joggers, and BMX because it can be clipped to any of your sports clothing or equipment bags. Because of its high durability and waterproof factor, it'll be sure to last you a long time. It has the added bonus of fitting inside a wallet for when you don't want to wear it.
6. Sport ID (Vital ID) - Helmet Sticker
The reflective, sticker, helmet I.D.
http://vitalid.ca
I had to include this one because it's so dang useful. You can stick this baby to ANYTHING! Skateboards, cell phones, water bottles, snowboard helmets, iPods, even on a prescription bottle (if you carry one with you).Granted- it isn't suitable for water sports, but it is waterproof enough for things like rain, sweat, and random lawn sprinklers. It won't get in the way of your activity at all, and is reflective enough to be noticed in an emergency. It's unique in that it uses the same ID system as the Vital ID bracelets, except the information strip is inserted inside of the helmet sticker- not a wristband.
To learn what kind of information you should put on your ID, visit StickyJ:
http://www.stickyj.com/medical-id-what-to-engrave.html
and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tJodcUWaCQ
and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tJodcUWaCQ
For more medical & prescription abbreviations:
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