Do you carry contact details?

I was riding home last night on the road when I started wondering what would happen if I was involved in a crash (yeah, bit doom and gloom). It struck me I don’t carry any ID and although I had my mobile on me that could easily get smashed. So should I be a little more sensible and carry something with my name and emergency contact details on it? Who does and who doesn’t? Is there some kind of recognised place to put these things or just stick a note in my saddle bag?

I have my phone with ‘mum’ and ‘wife’ on it…

I have a card with some ICE details on it, and I put my name and address etc on my phone’s lock screen

By law here I have to carry around my ID, so yes, I always have an easy means for the authorities to find out who I am in an emergency (unless my wallet is stolen).

You should. A mate got nearly killed in a crash the other day (foreign SMIDSY pulled out in front of him, at foot of a hill), phone fell out jersey pocket mid air and couldn’t be found. LUCKILY first on scene knows the guy and somehow next of kin was located and rushed to bedside.

In reference to having numbers in your phone – if it’s locked using a PIN or something, they can’t get to the numbers to call someone……

Old driving license photocard (I always claim to have “lost” mine when renewing) and iphone with the new Medical details feature enabled.

Yes, little note with my name, contact details, no medical probs etc with a ‘thank you for helping’ in my bag. Phone also has emergency numbers keyed in.

I have a small thing stuck to the side of my helmet with some details in it.

In reference to having numbers in your phone – if it’s locked using a PIN or something, they can’t get to the numbers to call someone…..

Not on android, emergency contacts can be listed on the lock screen.

I should carry more information like a dog tag or whatever. I’ve had a cycling accident where family were only contacted because my phone was unlocked and undamaged. Otherwise no one would have known who I was and, at the time, I couldn’t remember who I was.

In reference to having numbers in your phone – if it’s locked using a PIN or something, they can’t get to the numbers to call someone……

Many have functionality to allow a message or details to be shown on the lock screen – Samsungs certainly do, otherwise you can create a custom lockscreen image with various apps. Doesn’t help of course if the phone is lost or broken.

woody2000 – Member
In reference to having numbers in your phone – if it’s locked using a PIN or something, they can’t get to the numbers to call someone……

Some phones (I think the more up to date Android ones) have the ability to put a message on the lockscreen.
So mine says something like “If found, please call HOME NUMBER or e-mail E-MAIL ADDRESS”.
I should probably add something like, “If found upside down in a ditch with bike on top of me, call WIFE”.

I have thought about carrying a laminated card with contact details on. Bit of a grim thought though….

EDIT – bit of an echo in here!! 😀

I’ve got a OneLifeID bracelet thing. Next of kin details on it and a code to scan that directs you to a profile page. You can customise the text on the label so you can put medical details on if required.

iOS 8 allows you to set emergency contact details and medical info that can be accessed on a locked phone.

iOS 8 allows you to create a Medical ID that can be reached from the lock screen. In addition to contact numbers you can list some info that might be helpful to whoever finds you (allergies, other conditions etc). Again, no help if the phone is smashed.

Edit: slightly tooooooo slow.

Nope, and leave the mobile behind as well.

How did we ever manage before, etc., etc.

Any emergency service types able to tell me what they actually look for in these situations? If I were a dog I’d be scanned for a chip. What will be most useful for me?

Really good points and ideas, printing and laminating some cards for saddlebags/packs now.

I usually carry my driving license, but then by law here I need to carry some kind of ID anyway.

yes, RoadID bracelet. So far used once when I was unconscious at the Velodrome and the staff phoned my wife, whose number is on it (They called the Ambulance first 🙂 )

Just added my emergency details on my iPhone thanks to this thread. I do carry my driving license with me as well.

I carry a bank card usually which would be enough to trace me. If you have a serious allergy or medical condition then I could see that being worthwhile but i doubt a hospital would take much notice of things like blood type on an bit of laminated card.

I’ve been out on club runs before where we’ve had these problems. New guy turns up has a problem and all anyone knows is that he introduced himself as Dave and what bike he rides.

Any emergency service types able to tell me what they actually look for in these situations?

No they don’t. The priority is to treat you, and to do that they wont look at your iphone.

If you have a medical condition that requires attention, you will already have a medical bracelet.

Its quite unusual to be that ill that you cant tell them who you are, and then surely your wife/friend etc would realise you are not back?

No harm in carrying a sticker etc some where on your person

When I bought my fancy new motorbike jacket, it came with this, for free. Special marked pocket it fits in, although I also stuff the remote control for the gate in there, too…

Rachel

Normally have my driving licence as I take my wallet

If you’re not convinced of the need for ID, then read this thread 🙁
or this one (same incident)

+1 for Road ID.

Road ID[/url]

The rubber will perish after a couple of years but it’s dead cheap to replace with another one

BC photo license in Jimi wallet goes everywhere in my back pocket. Contact details on locked screen and a Blackberry has always been able to call through a locked screen 8)

I use one of these http://www.mekey-icetag.co.uk/index.php/vmchk/Wear-MEkey-ICE/Wristband-v2/flypage.tpl.html as a watch strap that way I’ve always got it on

Ride ID app lets you set up ICE contacts, ID and medical details.

If left running, it gives ‘buttons’ to call ICE contacts, if you lock your phone you can use an image of the home screen as wallpaper/lock screen so rescuers can find your details if they want (and if no scrote has nicked your phone/the screen isn’t smashed.

ps I have no link to developing this, but it keeps the wife happy!

Any emergency service types able to tell me what they actually look for in these situations?

Notwithstanding what FunkyDunc says about them just getting on with treating you, if you couldn’t be ID’d it would be up to the police to find out who you were. Me – I’d go into your phone, look for a car that matched your keys, anything that came to mind really if you didn’t have a wallet on you.

And of course the obvious name and Devon flag on my top tube 😉

Best solution by far is some form of braclet — RoadID, Onelife etc. As a member of a Mountain Rescue Team I know it’s easier to identify these types of items as we, paramedics, first responders etc will look for medi-alert type stuff when assessing a casualty after the big sick stuff has been done. Forget the phone and electronic devices — experience tells me that when the s**t hits the fan they will be broken, with a flat battery or it’s so cold and pigging wet your little pinkies will refuse to work!!!

carry my DL, but like the idea of a small tag

ICE number and blood group written onto my camelback. Just realised nothing when on my road bike!

I have military style dog tags I wear round my neck which show my name, DOB, ICE number, plus allergies.

Samsung/android phone, so you can still dial ’emergency’ numbers from the address book from the lock screen.

That and bank cards etc mean I’m unlikely to be an anonymous body. I was told blood group, etc get ignored mostly and they just give the universaly compatible blood group untill they do their own tests, you could be a pickpocket, borowing someones jacket, bought the dogtags from army surplus, your dead dad’s tag from ‘Naam, or your dead dogs tags as they looked cool etc for all they know.

RoadID here – it’s an older velcro one so it lives attached to the strap of my camelbak, meaning it’s virtually impossible to forget it.

As hairylegs says (I’m also in MR) we’d look for bracelets/necklaces for medi-alert type stuff, but also in pockets etc for ID and medications etc. If I had a drug allergy or some other conditions I’d make sure I was wearing my RoadID on my wrist. I don’t so I figure it’s fine on the Camelbak – it’s fairly hard to miss and someone will likely find it soon enough if they start looking.

Definitely important to be carrying something though if you’re out alone.

Road Id here 🙂