Medical Emergency Data System and ResQtag
By: Rod Brown Ok, I'm figuring that you ride a bike - any bike, dirt, adventure, road, cruiser, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. And if you ride a bike, odds on you're going to have an accident at some stage. It comes with the turf! Now most of the time you'll drag your self up, shake your head and check your bike for damage...but how about that one time that you're left battered, bleeding and unconscious? Do you carry your blood type info? Any medications you're currently taking? Your next of kins contact info? No, well join the club! Neither did I! Until I came across these two potential lifesavers! The Specs - Medical Emergency Data System Five will get you ten that the first person on the scene of your dethroning will try and rip your helmet off, trying to do the right thing, but failing miserably in the process. The Medical Emergency Data System (M.E.D.S.) is a little 2x1.5 inch black plastic pouch that sticks to the left rear side of your helmet. Emblazoned on it are the words 'DO NOT REMOVE HELMET: MAY CAUSE PARALYSIS' with a reflective design that contains the 'star of life' (EMS symbol) and the letter 'i', the universal symbol for information. But it doesn't end there. Inside this unobtrusive pouch sits a piece of pre-printed paper on which you can write all of your personal and medical details for your saviors to access in the case of an accident. A 4 pack will only set you back $9.99 or for an 8 pack only $15.99, it's cost effective enough to get a few for your mates as well or keep a few as spares for when your details change. Check them out online at meds.org.
ResQtag The ResQtag is much the same, but different! It was designed by an ex-paramedic that also happens to ride a bike, so he's seen the best, and worst, of both worlds and knows what he's talking about! Unlike the M.E.D.S., the ResQtag is a multi-fold over nylon tag that is backed by a water-proof coating. On this coating are sections to write all your emergency details with a permanent marker. Once you re-fold the 4"x4" to its compact 1"x2" size, you then attach the key-ring attachment to the zipper-pull of your jacket or back pack where it can be easily seen. Being bright red and plastered with the EMS 'star of life', it's kind of hard for the ambulance driver to miss in an emergency situation any way. This slice of piece of mind can be yours for only $12.99US. Check it out at ResQtag.com.
The Facts - Ok, the M.E.D.S. is small, compact and black...which could make it hard to see at night or if, like me, you wear a black helmet. The pre-printed label is equally small which, unless you can write very small and very neatly you could find the lack of space - especially if you have a name like Anastasia Beaverhousen-Watchuhowski and you live in Upper Mungalongaloo West! I'm not too sure how waterproof it is either. The ResQtag seems to have taken the waterproof situation into consideration, but unfortunately it lacks...um...style! Unfortunately it looks that it was made in a back yard work shop and the stitching is a bit haphazard. Not a huge thing, but knowing how much we spend on our gear just to look cool, it's a consideration. But in spite of both their minor flaws the 'Wulfe Ryder' score out of ten is a huge nine!!!! Published: Feb 2, 2009 Leave Comments |
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