Sorry to bring it up again...medical cards new rule

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On another note- how many people have their medical arm bands filled in? I was at PC areas and during the tack check before xc, the steward said "Oh thank heavens, someone who actually has their arm band filled in!". Obviously there were a lot of people without the info in the armbands, making them totally pointless?!

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BRC now specify in their rules that the cards must be filled in. This was introduced after it came to light that an entire team were sharing one as it didn't say that it had to be filled in, only that it must be worn
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Don't know if BE have caught up with that one though
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The thing is those of you who object to being told where to wear them seem to think there should be an element of choice. This is all very well until something goes wrong - maybe someone is given something they are allergic to for pain & decides to sue an organising body. Chances are the courts (or even the coroner) would ask what guidelines were in place & if there had been a problem with finding the relevent information would then ask why there wasn't a specific place for such information to be located.
It is far more likely for a leg to become inaccessable than an arm although not impossible for an arm to be trapped.
I wish people would take on board that organising/governing bodies have a duty of care to protect those taking part in the activities that the have juristiction over, & if they fail in that to the smallest detail can be held liable. Rule such as this are in place to protect the ridrs from dangerous (even life threatening) mistakes, as well as discharging the required duty of care. This particular requirement has come about because medics & medical officers have raised the subject & their recommendations have been applied. No one sits round a table trying to think of petty little rule changes purely to p1ss people off.
 
Thanks for being so eloquent FigJam, I decided I could barely muster a "whatever".
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BE are never going to get a glowing report from its membership, but we choose to compete BE therefore we have to abide by the rules. They are acting responsibly with regard to our safety so we should be equally responsible and make sure it's filled in correctly and worn where they ask. But hey, it's your neck, or (cue bad joke) don't come running to me when you break your leg.
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well, when i'm xc collecting ring stewarding i check that armbands are there and make sure they are filled in, and i stopped some idiotic girl from borrowing a friends... jeeez, just HOW stupid are some people, seriously?!
as for it containing blood group, no point at all, afaik they will ALWAYS use O+ even if you say you know your blood group, as that is the Universal Donor, whereas giving you A because you think you're A, when actually you're O or B, would kill you... i'll wait to be corrected on that one.
i can see why they have space for notes etc all on 1 piece, i can just imagine a rider being checked over then sent back to lorry park to get their bigger medical card for doctor to fill in - how many would scarper rather than take it back and have an enforced 'stand down' period etc!
velcro or the right length of cord/tape is the answer.
as for people moaning that the velcro chafes their arms, imho anyone going xc in short sleeves really needs their head examined - i always wear long sleeves (shoved up to elbows if it's hot) and this included in Germany when it was 35 degrees on xc day with no breeze at all. no way would i go xc with unprotected arms.
 
I have adapted mine with some self adhesive velcro from Wilkinson and have always worn it on my arm as the clues in the name, you can't wear a PC one for BE as they don't have the same info in them.

Re. the number bibs I don't think it's recommended but new members and those who had lost/forgotten theirs at Cumwhinton were given them at the tack check to slide in their bibs as they weren't aware of the rules. Which seemed a very helpful way of doing it if you ask me.

Can I just ask a question, you know the doctor thing can it be a family member who signs it if they are a doctor?
 
I was accosted after I'd come off on XC (I got back on, completed, no harm done) and pretty much accused of wearing someone else's armband! I wasn't at all, but the steward's first thought seemed to be that I might be, so I guess it must happen quite a bit.
 
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i was referring to those who the armband clearly doesnt irritate - that's where we are all different, and some of us can tolerate things rubbing on their arm etc and just get on with it, whereas others cant! The lateral thinking involved would be to design something that is more practical and pleases us 'fussy' types
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At the beginning of the season i always intend on finding a new strap etc, but usually forget and therefore opt for the leg position instead... lazy yes, but sometimes have too many other things to think about
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But if it's really that annoying to you, surely it would be a fairly high priority thing for you to do?
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5-10mins (or even less if you just tied a knot in the elastic which would effectively shorten the length to wrap around your arm!) would solve this problem for you for the whole season (and the next...!).

I really think a lot of folk are just objecting to being told they can't put it on their leg out of principle and not because there is some huge reason why their arm is an inconvenient place to put their medical armband?
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It's the same as BPs- they feel awkward and uncomfy for the first couple of minutes, but after that you forget you're wearing them. It's really not that big a deal!

Not sure printed cards would be any easier for people to remember than ones you have to fill in yourself?! Since that's not the "issue" that people have with them, why go to the extra hassle/expense of BE having to make them? And much easier to update as you need to the way they are just now.

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figjam - as i had put in my post, I know and admit that ive been lazy with fixing it, so no need to tell me that again
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with everything going on in my life last year, im afraid that fixing my medical armband was not up there on the list of priorities, especially when it was sitting adequately on my leg all season
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im not stamping my feet trying to go against the rules, just trying to understand why it is as it is, and work out the thought processes behind it. I havent got the time or the energy to kick up the fuss just 'out of principle' - I'd be a very sad and angry person if i took that attitude to life
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After all, who am I to question BE? BUT, things like this that are more straight forward, and as I work in the health industry myself it becomes of more interest to me - not to complain, but to find a solution!!

Fact of the matter is that it is uncomfortable to wear it on the arm - simple as that. I am very short though with relatively slim arms, so it does obstruct my movement having it there. It may be fine on your arm, but its not on mine. Not a big deal for you, but it is for me
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Its different with a body protector as there is no alternative (its not as if i could wear that round my leg), and thats the key to the debate here - all we're trying to do is see if there could be something else in place that still keeps safety as the number one priority, yet allows some riders to be more comfortable. The dog tag idea sounds good for instance...

In terms of the printed card, this was only a suggestion to ensure that people did carry the right info on their tag. The stewards could then do a quick name check and know that all the info that needed to be there was present.
 
Personally I dont like the idea of the dog tag and more than wearing your armband round your leg. Call me tight but I dont want to spend money on getting one made when Ive no problems with the arm band. I also dont like the fact that the paramedics will have to remove your BP, stock and whatever else to get to it. This will surely involve moving you more than to get to your arm.

I never thought I had big arms but am getting worried now as my armband doesn't slip and isn't uncomfortable. Surely you could get some foam padding or something to attach to the inside of it so that its comfortable and the foam might help with the slipping issue and it might also help it fit.
 
Sorry hammiehamlet, I'm not trying to pick on you (you're definitely not the only one I've heard on here complaining about this new rule), but it is now exactly the same as wearing a BP;

- BE say you have to wear a BP, so you just have to do it by finding a BP that fits you and is as comfortable as possible.

- BE say you have to wear a medical armband on your arm, so you just have to do it by finding a way of fixing it (either to your arm or shoulder protector on your BP which would solve your problem?) so it's as unobtrusive and comfortable as possible for the whole half hour or so you'll be wearing it (inc. warm up).
 
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Sorry hammiehamlet, I'm not trying to pick on you (you're definitely not the only one I've heard on here complaining about this new rule), but it is now exactly the same as wearing a BP;

- BE say you have to wear a BP, so you just have to do it by finding a BP that fits you and is as comfortable as possible.

- BE say you have to wear a medical armband on your arm, so you just have to do it by finding a way of fixing it (either to your arm or shoulder protector on your BP which would solve your problem?) so it's as unobtrusive and comfortable as possible for the whole half hour or so you'll be wearing it (inc. warm up).

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agree that there is now no way round getting away from the rule.

perhaps the issue is that we need a company to manufacturer the 'comfort armband' for those of us that it does cause problems for
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i would certainly pay extra for it, and not have to do with all the faffing around of buying extra velcro, foam etc...
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I think I may have to attatch mine to myself with duct tape - the top and bottom flap around and it's nearly the length of my upper arm, think I need a smaller version, or one with a wider grippier strap so it doesn't slip.
Also what sort of stuff do you actually have to have on the medical card? My band didn't actually come with a card for some reason.
 
Well when I competed at Osberton they asked for everyones medical armband cards on the first day and said if they didn't get it you wouldn't compete. Not sure if this was to copy them or check everyone was who they said they were but I have always thought why don't BE have a register of whos whos and what allergys/blood type/intolerance etc they have. Then they could text the details to the paramedic or something on duty (if that person has an accident) and they'd have all the info at their finger tips. I know some people would hate this "privacy" issue but they could always be missed off, but I would happily have my info kept if it might help save my life.
 
AFAIK there is nothing saying you have to use any 'official' medical armband - so if you feel it doesn't fit you properly, make your own which does - it's hardly rocket science to make a small holder with a strap which does fit you better, I could do it in less than half an hour I reckon. Thankfully my enormously fat arms, which go with my 5ft size 8 body, and not disproportionate ape index (google it
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) mean I never notice wearing it. I do, however, have a mind like a sieve and quite often leave it in the lorry then have to trot back for it. Mind you, I've done the same with my number bib more than once too, so I think I'm beyond help.
 
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You are meant to wear long sleeve tops for xc - to help prevent cuts/scrapes etc. for those that wear short
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Personally would prefer short, but safety is long!

Medical "arm"bands are meant to be on the arm - and length can be adjusted
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If they hamper you so much then maybe switch the arm they are on?

Armbands on legs look SO untidy and can be dangerous.

But if you are seriously injured I doubt that they will worry about your armband - they are gonna call an ambulance first!
 
The long sleeve/short sleeve top debate can be argued both ways that is why there is no rule. One way is that long sleeves will prevent small grazes/cuts from "gentler" falls, whereas it you properley go sliding docs hate having to pick out all the bits of your mangled top from your now-not-there skin
Your decision
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hammiehamlet, I think you need a few other things like blood type, but I agree they could definitely make it more compact. I don't look at it very often, but are injuries you incur at events recorded on your medical card or do they go in your rider book?

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I don't know my blood type and I'd have to pay to find out. When I asked my Dr what my blood type was he said he didn't know, and why did I want to know?

He said in that case he wouldn't give it to me anyway because no hospital/paramedic in their right mind would take the information off a card as read. They'd check first.

So why is the blood type question on there?
 
From coming from a family of medics, lets bear in mind most paramedics at events are not paramedics but first aid trained.

You only have two arms so you have a 50/50 chance of getting the right one, and as said above a break in your leg especially an open fracture if moved can cause uncontrollable bleeding, risk of bleeding out through an unstable pelvis, not such the case in your arm. Your torso has to be stabilised to avoid paralysis but your arms can be moved to get information, not so your legs, but if they need to read your card on your leg you are putting your life at risk.

Blood group is important if you have a rare blood group, they can radio ahead to the hospital you are going to, to make sure they have sufficient stock as your correct blood group is more benefical to a quick recovery, if you dont know it it is worth finding out. GP details are also vitaly important as if you are unconcious then your GP can be contacted via the hospital out of hours, to see if there are any conditions you suffer from that may affect your treatment

I think it it totally petty to argue over where a band is on your body when this can save your life. Eventing is a high risk sport in case any of your have missed this, so why argue over a rule that could save your life.

I think you have to be professional in your attitude to a very sensible rule change, this is for your welfare and for your health and safety, and god forbid any of you need to rely on the information on your card, you can rest assured you will then get the best treatment available to aid your recovery.
 
QR All those whose armbands slip, go and fetch it - now - and alter the strap so it fits instead of reading this post. Just a suggestion
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QR All those whose armbands slip, go and fetch it - now - and alter the strap so it fits instead of reading this post. Just a suggestion
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Yes mum!
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The shoulder pads in the Rodney Powell BP are a handy way to keep it.... They also protect you in a fall. On my old body protector i simply attatched it to the top where it narrows and wound the elastic round a few times before velcroing it.

I dont see what all the fuss is about, all it takes is a little initative.

Wearing your armband on your boot looks scruffy and unprofessional, I have no idea why anyone is complaining about it, when BE are implementing the rule for your own safety?!!?
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Would you not simply comply with a rule that may give you a slightly better chance of survival in a fall?
 
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