ID Business Blog

Medical Identification Jewellery

POTENTIAL LIFESAVING APPAREL!!!! Medical identification alert jewellery is for anyone with a medical condition that emergency personnel should be aware of immediately. Diabetes, childhood asthma, bee sting allergy , drug allergies, peanut allergy (especially in children) Alzheimer’s disease, latex allergy, epilepsy and many more should be clearly visible on the medical identification alert jewellery ID bracelet.

Travel Tips - Have a medical check-up. Obtain a doctor's note, stating your medical condition, treatment needs, and your doctor's phone number. Gastric bypass is more common these days, be safe, medical bracelets can advise EMS personnel not to use an ng tube. Be sure to carry your health insurer's address and phone number.

Have vaccinations well in advance to prevent unexpected reactions. Pack enough oral medication, insulin and syringes, epi-pens for one extra week beyond the duration of the trip and bring your written prescription(s) as well. Pack blood glucose, urine monitoring equipment or other diagnostic equipment you may need to monitor your condition.

If you do not have a personalized medical ID alert jewellery, either bracelet or necklace, now would be a good time to buy one. Update your medical alert ID information. Plan to wear or carry medical information, i.e., tag, ID bracelet, or medical alert necklace..

Contact your air carrier 24 to 48 hours in advance of your flight to arrange a special diabetic meal or special needs you may require relating to your medical needs. Check on your hotel's facilities and services. Plan to adjust meal and medication schedules for crossing time zones. Pack antiseptic, bandages and sunscreen..

To get an idea of just how prevalent medical ID is among people with diabetes, interviews were conducted with eight police, fire and paramedic workers, and five doctors and educators. A group of 18 men and women with insulin dependent type I diabetes were also surveyed. Of six men and 12 women, only eight said they wear I. D., while the other 10 said they did not. While this is not an exhaustive scientific survey, the comments from these health care professionals and people with diabetes offer insights into the importance of wearing medical identification alert jewellery, and how they are used in emergency situations..

Article courtesy of Vital ID

Exercise improves memory problems

An Australian study has found that walking for two and a half hours a week can significantly improve memory problems in the over-50’s.

The Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study, conducted over 18 months at the University of Western Australia, is believed to be the first in the world to demonstrate that moderate exercise can positively affect cognitive function.

Professor Lautenschlager, who conducted the study, said the results were very promising. “We have found the improvement in memory occurred not only during the six month trial but also 6 and 12 months after completion of the supervised physical activity program” she said.

“We believe this trial is the first to demonstrate that exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults at risk” Professor Lautenschlager said.

More than 26 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s Disease, and this is expected to grow to 106.2 million by 2050.

Article courtesy of Science Daily

When to replace your running shoes

If you're exercising in shoes that have passed their prime, it's OK to let them go up to shoe heaven. You can harm your feet, and possibly other areas of your body, if you continue to wear shoes that no longer offer the support they once did.

A Shoe's Life Span

As a general rule, most running and walking shoes last up to 500 miles. How and where you use your shoes could alter that number. For example, pavement wears down shoes faster than a track, a trail or gravel. Also keep in mind that shoes with an EVA midsole tend to wear down faster than shoes with a polyurethane midsole.

How to Tell

Here are three guides for determining when you need new shoes. Do the Press Test

To determine if the midsoles of your shoes are compressed and are no longer providing cushioning, do the press test. Using your thumb, push on the outsole upward into the midsole. With new shoes, it should be easy to see the midsole compress into lines or wrinkles. As the shoe wears down, the midsole compresses less with the same amount of pressure. When the midsole shows heavy compression lines and the press test reveals a minimal amount of compression, there is little or no cushioning left.

Examine How Your Shoes Look

Don't worry about how dirty they are. That's a good thing. It means you've been using them. What you should be concerned with is general wear and tear. Take a look at your shoes. Are the heels stretched out? Are places on the outsoles worn down? Can you see how the shoes have molded to your foot? These are all signs of excessive wear.

Pay Attention To How They Feel

Your body will know when there is little or no cushioning left in your shoes. If you notice any aches or pains in your feet, legs, knees, hips or back after you've worn your shoes, it's a good sign that you need a new pair. Other signs include friction or blisters in unexpected places, which means your shoes have stretched and your feet are moving around too much.

Make Your Shoes Last Longer

Here are some tips for increasing your shoes' life span…… Rotate Two Pairs of Shoes

It's a good idea to have two or three pairs of walking or running shoes that you can alternate using. You'll find they'll last much longer in the long run—or walk, as the case may be.

Take Them Off Properly

If you take off your shoes properly—by unlacing them and removing them with your hand instead of kicking your shoe off with the other foot—they'll last much longer.

Use Them Just for Exercise

Wearing your exercise shoes around the house or around town will wear them down more quickly. Save your running or walking shoes for exercise.

p/> Article courtesy of REI.com

Riding in Traffic
Sharing the road with cars, SUVs and trucks is an unnerving but inescapable fact of the cycling life. Legally, bicycles have all of the same rights and responsibilities that automobiles do, yet cyclists are the second-class citizens of the road.
Cyclists are not only expected to follow all of the same traffic laws as motorists, but must approach riding in traffic with extreme caution. Keep in mind that some drivers, unfortunately, don't want to share the road.
Quick Read
>Always wear a helmet.
>Communicate clearly with motorists; make eye contact, if possible.
>Ride with confidence, yet defensively.
General Safety
>Wear your bike helmet on every ride.
>Always obey the rules of the road. Stop at stop signs and lights.
>Wear bright, highly visible clothing whenever you ride, preferably with reflective tape or patches.
>Ride in control at all times. Proceed at a safe speed.
>Never ride in the dark without front and rear bike lights and reflectors.
Riding Technique
>Ride in the same direction as traffic.
>Maintain a safe distance between yourself and other riders or vehicles.
>Don't hug the curb too closely. Maintain a safe distance from the pavement edge.
>Ride in single file for safety's sake. This is required by law in most countries/states. (NOTE: Some countries/states allow cyclists to travel two abreast. Do this only when roads are clear and free of traffic and the need is urgent. Riding three abreast is usually illegal.)
>Don't ride on sidewalks (unless no other safe option exists). Even where the law allows it, it's seldom safe.
>In heavy, slow-moving traffic, it may be safer to ride in the middle of a traffic lane so that everyone can see you and cars won't try to squeeze around you.
>On busy streets, don't swerve back and forth around parked cars or other obstacles. Maintain a straight course and watch out for opening car doors!
Awareness
>Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
>Communicate your intentions to drivers and other cyclists as much as possible. Use hand signals whenever you turn or stop, but assume that those signals might not be understood by every driver. Make eye contact with drivers. This usually helps keep both riders and drivers safe.
>Watch out for things that can add to (or cause) problems between cyclists and automobiles, like bright sunlight, fatigue, darkness and sharp bends in the road.
>Avoid things that can cause accidents between bicycles, like following too closely, poor communication, lapses in concentration and so on.
>Be especially cautious at intersections. Many cycling accidents occur here.
>Ride with confidence when you're in traffic. Timid, wobbly riders make drivers nervous. Cyclists or groups of cyclists who look like they know what they're doing are more likely to get extra room and respect.
Highway Riding
>Cycling on high-speed roads requires extra caution. Do it only when absolutely necessary. Stay as far right as you can, using the paved shoulder whenever possible. Check behind yourself frequently and listen for approaching cars.
>Get ready for passing vehicles (especially large semi-trucks or other wide vehicles) by holding your handlebars firmly, lowering your body to lessen wind resistance and moving out of the way as much as possible. Keep in mind that the wind from passing vehicles tends to "pull" cyclists forward and to the left.
p/> Article courtesy of REI.com

Teaching your child to ride
Learning to ride a bike is a classic rite of passage and a skill that, once acquired, is never forgotten. Teach a child to ride and you fling open the doors to a lifetime of fresh-air fun and 2-wheeled adventure.
The most important consideration when teaching a child to ride? Keep it fun. If your budding cyclist isn’t having fun, he or she won’t want to continue with biking.
Getting Ready to Ride
When Is a Child Ready to Ride a Bike?
You can generally start teaching a child to ride a bike between ages 3 and 6. Some children take to it naturally, and others don't. The timing depends solely on your child's physical and mental development and comfort level. Don’t force it.
Choosing a Bike
No matter which bike you choose, make sure that your child can stand over the top tube with both feet planted on the ground. He or she should feel comfortable and in control of the bike at all times. This is the best way to ensure safety. When riding large, unwieldy bikes, children are more apt to lose control and crash.
For younger children who aren’t ready for their own set of wheels, options range from bike seats to trailer bikes.
If you haven't already, it's time to introduce your child to a bike helmet. You may have one on hand from the days when you used a bike trailer or child seat. If that helmet still fits, your child can use that for learning to ride a bike.
Finding a Place to Teach Bike Riding
Choose an area that’s conducive for a child to learn to ride safely. Look for a place that is:
Traffic-free – Large – Flat – Even - Paved
This location might be a driveway, a park path or pavilion area, or an empty parking lot. Empty tennis or basketball courts can also work well.
Preparing the Bike
This method for teaching a child to ride a bike emphasizes balance first, and adds pedalling later in the process. To begin, prepare the bike as follows:
1. Remove the training wheels Training wheels help kids to grow accustomed to sitting on a bike and using their legs to pedal, but they won't help them learn to balance. When your child is ready to learn how to ride, remove the training wheels.
2. Remove the pedals and lower the seat
This allows kids to sit upright with their feet flat on the ground. The goal is to help them feel more comfortable and steady as they begin learning balance.
Note: Don’t lower the seat too far. Young riders should be able to sit upright with their legs straight and feet on the ground. Don’t lower the seat to the point where they have to bend their legs; that makes for an awkward riding position.
3. Properly inflate the bike tires.
The bike will roll more smoothly and your child will have an easier time coasting when bike tires are inflated to the correct pressure. (Look for the recommended tire pressure printed on the sidewall of tires.)
Learning without Pedals
Starting Out: Scooting and Coasting the Bike
Have your child begin by scooting on the modified bike so that he or she can get the feel of balancing it. This is a fairly intuitive process for many kids, and it’s most easily done on a flat, paved surface.
Once young riders become adept at scooting the bike, they can be challenged to pick up their feet and coast. Make it a game: Count to 10 and see if he or she can coast with feet up for the full 10 seconds. Gradually add more time as they gain confidence in their coasting skills.
Turning and Coasting the Bike
Once kids have mastered the ability to scoot and coast the bike—and they are enjoying themselves—move on to turning and steering. Start them out with big, easy, looping turns
Keep things fun with an easygoing game. Here are a couple of ideas:
Set up cones in a pattern and have your child practice steering between them.
Set out a coin to give a child a target to aim for. Place a cracker on the pavement 10 feet away and encourage him or her to run over it with the bike. This game teaches children to scan ahead and to direct the bike to a specific target. Move the coin to 15 feet out, then 20 feet.
Making Progress
After some practice time, assess their progress. Children should be able to:
Coast the bike with their feet up
Make turns while coasting
Look where their going (rather than down at the bike)
Have fun while doing all the above If your child is reliably demonstrating all these skills, it’s time to replace the pedals on the bike. For now, keep the seat in its lowered position. Children should be easily able to place their feet on the ground whenever they want to stop.
Riding with Pedals
Next Steps: Pedalling the Bike
With the pedals back on the bike, teach your child how to start moving from a stopped position. Have your child stand over the bike with one foot flat on the ground, and the other on a pedal raised at the 2:00 position.
Coach your child to press down on the front pedal. Like the scooting action he or she’s already mastered, this pressure will give the bike its forward momentum. Steady your child as he or she moves forward by placing a hand on a shoulder or the bike saddle—but let the child learn how to balance and feel comfortable on the bike without assistance. Steering and Pedalling the Bike
As kids get the hang of pedalling a bike, they can start practicing turns. Encourage your child to do large circles and figure 8’s.
Keep things fun by making a game out of steering and turning.
Stopping the Bike
Thanks to their proven scooting and coasting skills, children can already stop the bike by using their feet. Now, have your child practice gently pressing on the coaster brake until he or she can use it without wobbling very much.
To practice braking skills, try another game. Here are a couple of suggestions: Place a coin or traffic cone (or other soft item) about 10 to 20 feet ahead on the ground and have your child try to stop before hitting it.
Use simple verbal commands. Have a child ride 10 feet and practice responding to your shout of, “Stop!” Mix it up. Vary the distances and encourage ever-faster stops.
As your child becomes comfortable with braking, you can raise the saddle back to a standard position. To adjust the seat to its correct height, hold the bike steady and have him or her sit on the saddle. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, there should be just a slight bend (about 80-90%) in the knee.
Follow the Leader
Once your child can ride fairly easily, get on your bike and have him or her follow you. Take it slow and easy, and make big turns every now and then. Set up a course with cones or coins and ride it, too. If you use coins, see who can hit the most. (Make sure your child does.)
Remember to reinforce success rather than focus on any mistakes your child makes. One of the most important parts of cycling with very young children is to know when to stop and rest.
Taking the Bike on the Road
Once your child has successfully mastered all these skills, it's time for a family outing. Ride to a local park or ice cream shop as a reward for a job well done.
Before venturing onto a bike path or street, review the rules of the road. Make sure your child:
>Looks both ways before going onto the sidewalk (from the driveway).
>Wears bright clothes.
>Rides safely and in control of speed and braking.
>Is alert at driveways, gateways and intersections.
>Rides a safe distance from other bikes.
>Keeps to the right.
Lets pedestrians know if when approaching.
Lets a parent know when he or she is riding.
These are a few basic rules. Add and subtract where appropriate. Most importantly—children should be encouraged to have fun and enjoy their newfound, lifelong skill.

Jogging for new mum's
A Jogging stroller is a fun and healthy way for you to exercise with baby. However, a little planning will also make it simple and easy. Planning ahead means thinking about your fitness level, baby's health, exercises to choose, and where you want to do them. Here is a quick checklist of important considerations:
>1. Consult your doctor about your health and the baby. You will find that most recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks after birth before you start exercising again. Of course, you should be careful about running with babies younger than 6 months.
>2. Purchase a good jogging stroller (there is a great deal of information available on the internet). Whether you are a competitive runner getting back into shape, a suburban mall-dad, or just a tired Mom looking for a way to get baby to fall asleep, make sure that your jogging stroller fits the activity that you have in mind.
>3. Think about your running route and how long it will take. You may choose a stroll along sidewalks to your local park, jog along a dedicated running path, or go off-road to hiking trails. Your choice will depend on your general fitness level, safety concerns, and your baby's endurance. Either way, start small with walking down your street or around the block. This will ease you back into it, and get your little one comfortable with the new experience. As you extend your routine, choose well-travelled trails with plenty of people around, and design your route in a circuit - so you finish back at home. If you must drive to your running spot, the circuit should begin and end where you parked.
>4. Try to get organized: Before you step outside, get all your ducks in a row. Try to dress yourself and baby while you're still inside and then prepare the stroller for use. Preparing the stroller means checking the tires for flats, checking the brakes, and loading up all the things you'll need: blanket, toys, sippy cup, snacks, music, water bottle for you, cell phone, keys etc. If there is someone else at home, you can prepare the jogging stroller outside while a family member watches baby inside. If you are alone with baby then you will have to get her ready and then prep the stroller with her in one hand! Get used to being a one-armed parent - but never leave your child alone while attending to the stroller.
>5. Load up the stroller: Expand the stroller, lock the frame, and engage the parking brake before you place your baby inside. Make sure that all the shoulder, waist, and crotch straps are adjusted, the buckle or fastener has snapped into place, and that baby is comfortable before you start off. Make sure that the wrist strap is firmly secured to both you and the stroller before you begin. Now you are ready to roll!
>6. While you are running: The two key things to remember are stride and posture. Running with a jogging stroller is a little different from normal jogging, so you must remember not to hunch over the handlebar and also not to bump your feet on the rear axle. If you have a naturally long stride, shorten it a bit. The correct running posture should have your shoulders relaxed and your chest pushed out, and your stomach muscles firm. Your arms (i.e. from elbow to wrist) should be parallel to the ground, and you should grip the handlebar lightly. Run at a moderate speed and never more than 10 to 12 mph. Check on baby from time to time by glancing down through the peek window, or stopping at intervals.
>7. Safety First: Make sure to stay alert and keep your wits about you! You are a parent first and a runner second - so do not get too engrossed in the exercise. Look out for cars, joggers, excitable dogs, and the like. It goes without saying, but never leave your baby unattended. If you stop to chat, keep your hand on the handlebar. If you head into a coffee shop and the stroller won't fit through the door, take baby out and then go inside.
A little commonsense goes a long way. If you follow these easy tips, you and baby will be enjoying the fresh air in no time at all. Jogging with baby helps you reduce stress and shed those post-partum pounds, so get out there and have fun!

Google Cycle Maps
This months story came from our local rag, and resonated so much with us we thought we would share it with you.
In Auckland the local Transport Agency has teamed up with Google Maps to provide with a wealth of information to help with your ride.
This varies from helping you plan your route, to locating helpful sites in your area like bike shops, cycle lockers and (bike friendly) cafes with the aid of overlay maps and symbols.
The Cycle Crash Map also lets you see danger spots in your area. With the help of the Ministry of Transport the last 200 cyclist vs car accidents are recorded so you can view hazardous and high risk areas.
While it is just in trial phase in Auckland, we think it would be a great addition to any city, so check it out and lobby your local council or transport agency to get it up and running in your area.
You can view the MAXX site here: http://www.maxx.co.nz/cycling-walking/cycling/google-maps.html

Why wear ID?
Do you normally have any identification on you when you are out exercising, whether it be running, cycling, kayaking or whatever outdoor pursuit? Well with Outdoor ID you can now get access to a great line of ID products designed for just these purposes, and easily accessible.
Why would you wear our ID, well here are just some comments from Outdoor ID users:
“We do a lot of off-road and road cycling and the tags give us more security”
“….every cyclist should have one”
“my wife now sleeps easier when I go out on the bike in the early hours”
“your tags are a savior”
“I had cause to test them out - a car verses pushbike interaction, amongst all the injuries I sustained, I was out cold. When I rejoined the land of the living, the DogtagID was in the hands of one of the mica paramedics and he told me what a great thing it was”
Based in Whangaparaoa, New Zealand, Outdoor ID has been in operation for over 3 years now servicing the New Zealand and Australian markets with its growing range of ID Products. The easily customizable products allow for nearly any variable of information you may want available, be it name, address, emergency (ICE) contacts & medical conditions – first responders to any accident will have the information at their fingertips that they need to offer the best service they can.
Their ID tags should be an essential piece of kit for any active person, no matter what the outdoor pursuit. Items are designed to be on the wrist, ankle, shoes and on helmets and even around your neck. You can view the full range of products from Outdoor ID here.