Several of our Prime Time Ski Club members have had ski accidents this season and while we usually can’t prevent accidents, there are several ways that we can help ski patrol should we need their services. Even if you have a season pass, it’s important that you carry identification with you when you ski, preferably with an emergency contact, any medical conditions you have, a list of medications and food or medication allergies, and health insurance and primary care physician contact information. The least expensive way to identify yourself is to carry a handmade card that lists the information mentioned above. If you carry a cell phone, it’s also a good idea to list your emergency contact in your phone’s contact list under “ICE” (In Case of Emergency), an acronym that most first responders are trained to look for.

There are also more sophisticated ways of identifying yourself in case of an accident. The identification (ID) service that most people are probably familiar with is MedicAlert®. The company has a variety of bracelets, necklaces and a new rubber pull-on sports band that includes your name, brief listing of medical conditions, MedicAlert toll-free number along with your unique ID number which is used to obtain an in depth medical profile through a live 24/7 service. Your health record allows you to store all of your emergency medical information in one place that is easily accessible to emergency providers and can be updated at any time. MedicAlert requires an annual membership fee, around $50, plus the cost of the ID device. The website is www.medicalert.org; the phone number is 800-432-5378.

A fairly newcomer to the emergency ID (EID) market is ECOS® Emergency IDs. The company currently offers three types of devices. There is a small laminated plastic tag that is designed to be attached to a clothing zipper (around $9). There is also an aluminum tag that comes attached to an adjustable hook and loop wrist strap (around $12). There is a vinyl tag with a self-adhesive backing that can be placed on a ski helmet or the back of a cell phone (around $8 for 3 stickers). Each EID is printed with a unique emergency ID QR (bar) code. When scanned by a smartphone or other scanning device, the QR code opens a webpage that shows your emergency ID profile which you provide when registering for the service. If an emergency responder is unable to scan the QR code, access to your profile is available by entering your seven-digit EID number on the website. There is no subscription cost. The website is www.ecoseid.com; no phone number is listed.

There are also Road ID® bracelets, first developed for runners and bikers, but they can also be worn for other activities such as skiing. The company offers an entire line of identification gear, such as shoe pouches as well as stretchable wrist bands with an engraved stainless steel badge with as much information on it as you can fit. The bracelet costs about $20 with engraving (discount coupons often available online) but no more medical information is available other than what is on the ID device. The webpage is www.roadid.com; the phone number is 800-345-6336.

It’s also a good to idea to always ski with someone for safety sake and to make skiing more enjoyable. That’s where Prime Time Ski Club can help. Anyone looking for someone to ski with should meet at North Peak Lodge at 10 a.m. (upper level, right hand side past the bar.) After a brief time for announcements, members usually break into small groups of four to eight skiers, based mostly on skiing ability and speed and terrain preference. See you on the slopes and remember to carry emergency information with you at all times.