Your ROAD iD should reflect who you are. Literally. It’s how ROAD iD’s co-founder Edward Wimmer came up with “It’s who I am”. Every ID is like a fingerprint, unique to its owner. We know it can be a bit intimidating to see a blank faceplate on your screen waiting to be filled in. Your ID can display any information you would like, but we want to help make that a little less scary for you. Here are some tips from the pros themselves* on how to get started on your ID.
*It’s us. We’re the pros
The Basics
While your ID’s customization is completely up to you, we do have some basics that we strongly suggest putting on your ID. These are:
- First and last name
- Emergency contact information
- Medical conditions, key treatment considerations, anything that would be critical for a first responder to know.
These bits of information are vital in getting you the help that you need as quickly as possible. There is actually a “Golden Hour” rule that states critical injuries are best tended to within 60 minutes of the accident’s occurrence. Having our suggested information right away allows first responders to contact someone to notify them of your condition or take immediate action when necessary. This is especially handy with allergies, for example. Some choose to use their ID to convey their allergy and the message that they have an Epi-Pen on their person, this helps with immediate care until they are able to get to the hospital for further medical attention.
Your ID will be in one of two sizes: 13mm or 19mm. The 13mm allows 5 lines of customizable text, while the 19mm allows 6. Depending on the information that needs to be displayed, spacing may be a concern. Medical abbreviations are a great way to save some room while keeping your message clear. We’ve even got a list of them for your convenience!
It is also important to note that if you have an extensive medical history, we have an Online Profile option for our IDs. This allows first responders to access a comprehensive profile of your identification and emergency info for an annual cost of $19.99. You can learn more about this option here.
The Extras
These are some details you may want on your ID, but aren’t completely a game-changer for first responders. This would include your address and anything that is just for you. It is your ID after all, so make it something you want to wear! This is where our infamous “last line” comes into play. It can be fun or inspirational - the possibilities are endless…if the possibilities are within the 24 character limit per line. Need inspiration? You can see some works of art from our creative customers in our Last Line Roundup.
The Good-to-Knows
Some things you may want to consider, but are not necessarily vital or a fun little detail to spruce up your ID are things like: middle initials, year of birth (because age helps first responders know how to best treat you), and even more information on lack of information. What does that last part mean? If you don’t have any allergies or medical history to speak of, that could be worth noting as well. This is typically displayed by the abbreviations “NKA” (No Known Allergies) and “NO MED HX” (No Medical History) and can be taken up by just one line if you would like!
When you are placing your order with us, you’ll see recommended text in the customization form for each line. Feel free to do your own thing - we’ve just made suggestions to help you along!
The blank faceplate isn’t so scary now, is it? Remember that no matter what you end up placing on your ID, it is who you are and it might just save your life.
If you’ve read through this guide and still have any questions, you can talk to a real human! Our Customer Service Team is always happy to help. You can find our information below:
Phone: 800-345-6336
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm ET, Friday 9am-4:30pm ET
