You may just be unconscious, not completely dead.

Dog tags have worked for a long time. My registered brand if anyone bothered to look it up. I liked the Todd tattoo from the Kurt Russell movie "Soldier", but facial tattoo is is a bit much.

With apologies, I can't help but think of The Princess Bride:

Inigo Montoya: He's dead. He can't talk.
Miracle Max: Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.
Inigo Montoya: What's that?
Miracle Max: Go through his clothes and look for loose change.



You are right, of course. It certainly would be useful to have ID if I was alive but unresponsive. I would think my wallet would be on me but that's not a certainty I suppose.

I have a RoadID for running and biking. Works fine for hiking too. No affiliation.

Years ago, I saw a newscast about an unidentifed, now dead, Good Samaritan. The newscaster said he'd taken to wearing his old armed forces dog tag, when he went jogging.

Thereafter, I purchased a SS neck medallion from the .Medic Alert Foundation. They are a long standing not for profit. The medallion or bracelet has ID & emergency medical info inscribed. There are also an inscribed personal ID number and toll free phone number. A hospital can call, give the ID number and get your presubmitted medical history and next of kin.

EMS is trained to check for such ID. I highly recommend this option.

If I'm going on an especially long power walk, especially when I cross the state line, I also carry an inexpensive see-thru plastic waterproof wallet. It contains my driver's license, credit card, medical insurance card, ~$200, (2) aspirin, (2) H bandaids and (2) small antiseptic wipes. Further equipment includes my cell phone, key chain with Fox whistle and E-01 flashlight ( lithium battery), hot ironed yellow bandana vacuum sealed & with 40" folded Gorilla tape ,flat rolled on some plastic report cover. Now, post recent surgery, I also carry a hickory crookneck walking stick, just in case and for a boost on hills and stairs.

I know it sounds like a lot of kit. But it's light and compacts into 2-3 pockets in my running shorts or Patagonia Stand-Up shorts. I don't notice the weight on my trek. I didn't mean to pirate the thread, but one thing seemed to flow from one to the other.

That's a good point. One of the Portland train victims was robbed after his death. It seems like a non-wallet means of ID is definitely important.

Some are suggesting Road ID and Medic Alert. As I think about this, I wonder: what kind of medical information do emergency people care about? Are there some things more important than others, or do you provide the a fairly comprehensive medical profile to the companies?

Bingley: My Medic Alert medallion has my name; blood type & rh factor; medical conditions (e.g. Drug allergy, ) & my ID number + the Medic Alert 800 number. On file at the Medic Alrert database is a longer medical history and emergency contact info. The hospital calls the 800 number, gives your ID number and can access the info. I'm not sure if they can also do it on-line. I'll inquire.

For me, I look at it in terms of what can kill me the quickest, and that is my diabetes and dependence on insulin. All the other meds I take are for conditions that, absent the meds, are long term threats, but not an immediate danger if I miss them for a while.

As for Blood type, I have been told that regardless of what Blood type shown on any identification on you, modern medical practice is to type your blood before giving you a transfusion.

Also, apparently locally, (and hopefully nationally) it is now SOP to check the blood sugar of an unconscious person. This, apparently, due to the extent of diabetes in the general population. But on this I defer to those members with more up to date and accurate information.

So on my med alert I have 2 words, "Diabetes" and "Insulin."

There's always the old "In case of emergency" cards. I keep mine tucked in behind my drivers license figuring that the paramedics or cops are going to go through your wallet looking for ID or medical insurance. Mine has contact information for my wife, my doctor, and a list of my medications & dosages.

If there's a particularly pressing issue, like a drug allergy or a pre-existing condition, it should go on a medical alert pendents or bracelet. You could put it on a dog tag, but make sure that the tag is decorated with a Star of Life or Caduceus so the paramedics know it's medical and not just jewlery

DW had her allergy tattooed onto her right forearm along with a medical cadeuces.