A few weeks ago, a runner was found unconcious by a path on the side of town. Initially reports said he was a 17 year old and had no ID.
Later it was revised to mid to late 30's, tall, slim build, conditioned runner who was in that area when he collapsed.
Meanwhile I was away somewhere else in the car on a fell run that weekend not been home for 3 days. Friends I know and on facebook saw the news and gave the police details it could be me, Tall slim bloke who looking at his body diets and runs long distances - ie very skinny.
Of course, about 10 people inform the Police, thinking and worried I've collapsed, which ironically on Facebook is where I say I run and he was wearing a Garmin, which I also put a pic of it on.
The police came to my house, of course I was out - and have two cars, so although one was still there, more and more they thought it was me.
After talking to neighbours and checking the ANPR cameras, after a while they found out it wasn't me and the person was still uncouncious in hospital.
I now carry a tag tucked in my shorts saying who I am. Scary to think people thought it was me and nice to know people care about me.
As they see me everyday running and my training I put in on my FB page, they thought it was me - even made the local news. I don't know who the guy is, but the police said he made a full recovery and back home to home to his family.
Comments
I carry ID always when out running or cycling.
The full running survival kit is: ID, money, phone, glasses and bog paper.
For cycling, add puncture repair kit and minor tools.
🙂
this was the article:
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/jogger-found-unconscious-near-garden-centre-identified-following-police-appeal/story-29495975-detail/story.html
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/gear/id-bands/234835.html
Plenty of options available for ID schemes.
Steve Cram set up a scheme after same thing happened to his brother.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1043147/Steve-Cram-I-lost-brother-running-accident---Im-life-saving-crusade.html
Road Id. Every time I'm out
Another vote for Road ID - though if I'm local I don't always bother, though I probably should.
Nice to know that people care enough to do something though.
I never carry ID, the extra weight would slow me down....
I never carry ID or a phone but this has made me rethink. I've got a parkrun wristband which has ICE details on so may start wearing that.
Someone I know has just opened a unit at the end of the hill, going into town. they make wristbands for charities, etc. suppose I might have a few done with my name and emergency phone no.
it is nice people know and care about not just themselves. also everyone knows me and they see me running everywhere and know how hard I train, but thinking about it, I had two police forces over 2 days looking for me, barking up the wrong tree until they were sure it wasn't me.
And another vote for Road ID. I don't go out in the wilds but I live alone so there's nobody to raise the alarm if I don't return.
I wear it on every run - a little silicon wristband with my name and some essential stuff like blood group and no known allergies. And a request to pause my Garmin if I'm dead.
I've pretty much always got a phone with me though so eventually they'd be able to get thru to me and suss that the guy with no id wasn't me.
Phones are handy.
I have one of these http://www.iceid.co.uk/ and have bought one for my husband, brother (for cycling) and sister-in-law. I put it with my Garmin so that I don't forget to wear it when running.
I also carry my phone but figure that if I ever get mugged that would be the first thing to be stolen so I can't rely on it...
The problem was not that you were not carrying an ID but that the other person wasn't, and helpful friends erred on the safe side and reported that it could be you. Carrying a tag would not stop this false positive, it would only make sure you are identified in case of a true positive.
To cut down on false positives you could only post to fb when the track is finished, and anybody who clicked on the link could see you were in fact finished. Or you could use a device or app that has so called Live Tracking. Or you could just not post on fb and instead use a device or app that has a Beacon feature that gives a trusted person a link or sms to find out where you are. For really unknown or dangerous territory you could carry a locator such as a SPOT beacon.
I always have my phone with me. I hate the idea of not being able to call for help should anything happen to me while I'm out.
I also never leave the house without taking my organ donor card with me. This contains an emergency contact number along with my personal details, so is ideal and easy to carry.
I always have my phone one me. May have to start taking pictures of cats, though they do mostly run away from me when I'm out running!
I'm always wearing a collar with home and vets phone numbers. If he on the other end of the harness collapses I'm not sure I could press the paws button on his Garmin.