I was just riding along, you know, just riding along, and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air. Okay, so I came into a blind corner hot, almost hit an oncoming rider, and locked up brain and brakes before endoing. Regardless, there was more than enough time for me to think, “This is gonna hurt…” and then, as I was hitting the ground with my head and neck, “…bad.” My neck snapped, my nose dug a small trench, and as I tumbled into a spiny bush microwaves of fear hit me: With the speed, angle, and force of the crash, I could actually break a vertebra.

Well, I didn’t. And as I lay there in the dirt, bell rung, blood running down my face, dazed, saying, “Oh shit” over and over again, the guy I almost hit turned out to be a chiropractor and he did a quick survey that proved I was intact, but stupid.

This is turning into the longest intro for the shortest gear review, so I better get to the point: I didn’t have my ID. My phone was at home. I was riding a test bike and didn’t have my under-seat kit with photocopy of driver’s license. If I was unconscious or concussed, I could have been seriously screwed. And that’s why I like the Xtreme Sports ID. For just $8, you get a rubber wrist band with a unique ID and toll-free phone number. You register your band, name, emergency contact info, insurance details, medical issues or allergies at xtremesportsid.com. If you’re banged up or struck with amnesia, emergency medical responders can dial up your details and know where to deliver your body.

It took less than five minutes to register. You personal profile page has space for three emergency contacts, insurance, doctor info, allergies, meds, and medical conditions. Two things need to be added, though: The site currently allows only one phone number per emergency contact and doesn’t let you identify your relationship with the contact. Otherwise, the Xtreme Sports ID is a simple, cheap, and easy insurance.

Xtreme Sports ID, $8 includes one-year subscription, $5 annually to renew.

Tagged as: health, survival