The myID Personal Identification Bracelet from Endevr (formerly LifeStrength) is an upgrade to the traditional medical alert bracelets that you’ve probably seen before. With myID, first responders can scan the QR code on the inside of the bracelet to immediately see your vital info including name, email, phone number, age, gender, blood type, organ donor status, eye color, height, weight, allergies, doctors, insurance, emergency contact info and other important health notes. The bracelet also claims to be a wearable vitamin that offers improved energy, better sleep and well being. Sounds great. Let’s check it out.
Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.
Package Contents
myID bracelet
Metal ID slider with scannable QR code
Wrist measuring strip
ID stickers, wallet card
Instructions
The myID bracelet is available in 3 colors including White/Grey, Black/Grey and Turquoise/Grey like the one sent to me. It looks and feels like a silicon bracelet like people wear to support causes and charities. The difference though is that this one can be sized, has a metal clasp with a scannable QR code and has Ions embedded in the bracelet that are supposed to make you feel better and more energized. More about that later…
The metal clasp is easy to open and close without pinching your fingers or your wrist.
It opens to easily allow you insert or remove your hand.
You can remove the clasp in order to size the myID band to fit your wrist. This is done by using the measuring strip included with the band.
Once you have your measurement, the instructions tell you to trim both ends.
You then fit the metal slider on the band and pull it to the center where it stays in place. The inside of the slider has a QR code along with an ID and a Pin number.
Additional sliders for specific conditions can be purchased for $4.99 each. They slide on next to the main slider and list special medical issues like Diabetes, Peanut Allergy, Alzheimer’s, etc.
The band itself is not uncomfortable and not completely comfortable either. I know I have it on when I’m wearing it. Especially when I’m typing or am resting my wrist on a table. It’s not as bad as some wrist worn items that I’ve tested in the past.
Once the band is fitted correctly you can login to the myID site to activate your account which will then be linked to the QR code on the metal slider. It’s easy to set up and navigate the different areas where you can add your info. After you save your info, you can put on the bracelet and feel good about knowing that if you’re ever in an accident, first responders can get your info in a flash. At least that’s the theory.
So let’s say John Doe, who wears an Endevr myID bracelet on his wrist with all his medical info, gets in an accident and is laying on the side of the road unconscious. First responders get to the scene and are supposed to notice the bracelet, flip it over to see the QR code, whip out their cell phone, scan the code, and then type in the ID and Pin numbers on the bracelet.
When they login, they are greeted with John’s info. Sounds good, but I wasn’t convinced that policemen, firefighters or other first responders would do all these steps. So I asked one of our own gadgeteer writers who was a first responder at one time, what he thought of the product and the required steps. Here’s what Larry had to say:
“In the field, a lot of times we did a cursory type check for medic alert bracelets and such if time permitted, but something like this would be more for once you were in a hospital. The fact that you have to use an app to access the data is a no go in the field. The specific side slider would be a lot more help, but in general without any specific training or knowledge of the system it may get over looked. I don’t know what kind of information the company puts out to educate the medical community about their specific device and its use.”
That’s pretty much what I had guessed. I would also guess that they might be more inclined to check a wallet for your info than sign on to a website or even call the 1-800 number on the bracelet to get the info.
Being able to wear your health info is an interesting concept as long as someone doesn’t steal the bracelet and use the info printed on the band to login and get your personal information. There’s also the fact that the purchase price of the myID only entitles you to a 1 year subscription to what they call their Premium Online Health Profile. After the year is up, you have to pay $9.99 per year after that. Really not worth it if you ask me.
BTW: you can also download the free iOS myID app if you don’t want to wear a bracelet. The app lets you put a scannable QR code over any picture that you use for your lock screen. You have to pay $9.99 for 1yr though.
The Vitamin that you wear
It sounds like snake oil, but I figured what the heck, I’d give it a try. I’ve seen these types of bracelets before and always wondered if they really worked or if people just buy into the claims and then experience a placebo effect because they want to get their money’s worth for their purchase.
First of all, what is the myID band supposed to be made of? According to the Endevr site it is made of 7 minerals and gemstones that have been charged through far-infrared waves so that they generate anions (negative ions). What is an anion?
An anion (−) (pronounced /ˈæn.aɪ.ən/ an-eye-ən), from the Greek word ἄνω (ánō), meaning “up”, is an ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged).
and
“Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain
I always go into reviews with an open mind, but after several days wearing this bracelet, I have felt zero difference in my energy levels, sleep or overall well being. I woke up this Monday morning feeling just as un-gung-ho as I have every Monday for as far back as I can recall. I haven’t noticed any extra bounce in my step as I walk my 2-4miles per day either. I feel the same. I feel good, but not any more good than before I started wearing the myID. Some people swear by these types of bracelets, but I remain unconvinced.
Bottom line
I don’t see any real advantage to wearing an Endevr myID bracelet because it’s doubtful that the info would be used in the event of an accident by first responders. I think a person would be better off spending $40 on small flash drive that they could store their info on and wear around their neck. Or go the old fashioned route and get a metal ID bracelet and have it engraved with your important info.
And as for the wearable vitamin feature, I’d just stick with Flintstones chewable vitamins. They probably offer more value for your body than this bracelet.
Product Information
| Price: | $40.00 |
| Manufacturer: | Endevr |
| Pros: |
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Wow that looks remarkably like the RoadID elite but I guess a clasp is a clasp is a clasp and isn’t trademarked
https://www.roadid.com/p/the-Wrist-ID-Elite
RoadID engrave theirs and alternatively per you store stuff on their website. That’s also $9.99 a year for the website version.
As an EMT, I’ll chime in: Stick to the regular stamped/engraved/etched bracelet or pendant ones, and keep the info current.
(or as Julie said, “Or go the old fashioned route and get a metal ID bracelet and have it engraved with your important info.”)
Julie I noticed under height you put 5’6″ and not 5’5.75″ Trying to fool them aren’t you. 🙂
@Andrew shhhhhhhhhhhhh, I don’t want anyone to know it’s really me!
I’m going to agree with both Michael and Andy here.
I have the Road-ID https://www.roadid.com/p/the-Wrist-ID-Elite which has the important info engraved and visible (both condition info and contact info). Their website/operator service for additional data is free for the 1st year then & 10 per year after. I do subscribe to that service – but on scene, rescuers can read the basics, and then later get the rest, either via the web, or by calling a toll free #. They even offer a narrower version that would be good for kids or smaller adults.
I bought it because I just hate the look of traditional medical alert ‘jewelry’.
That said – I too, am a former EMT/Paramedic (over 20 years). Checking for an alert bracelet or pendant is (or at least. was) repeatedly drilled into you, just like checking “ABCs” (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation). I considered getting one (from a competing company – , that offered the QR, but decided that
in a true emergency – no one was going to whip out their iPhone, at least not at first. I have considered getting an add on slider with the QR on it – see http://www.sportstagid.com/id-bracelets/ – but that just hasn’t been that important to me.
Oh – and my BS detector pinned at the high end about that whole ion stuff.
I purchased the myIDband and set up the entire profile a few days ago. I decided to try scanning the QR code today and after 6 attempts, decided maybe it was the scanning program I was using(Bakodo). So I went to the app store and downloaded the first 6 programs. I tried all of them and none would read the QR code except for Qrafter. Qrafter allows you to enlarge (zoon) the QR code and after a couple tries, it scanned and brought me to the log in screen on myidband’s web site. Once the codes were put in, all my info was there.
The problem I have, in an emergency situation, how many attempts would a paramedic or EMT have to make to access my info? And, is it really worth it?
I was disappointed in the results of the scanning and feel to be useful, the QR code needs to be at least 1/3 to 50% larger. All I can say is at least there’s a toll free number to call to get my medical info.
At this point, I’m considering getting a Road ID with my vital info laser etched into it.
Great idea, but needs help in the QR scan area.
Julie, I started the first QR medical alert company, ScanMed QR, back in May of 2011 (http://scanmedqr.com) I agree with the majority of your review and I’m going to send you an e-mail about how ScanMed QR has evolved over the limitations that you’ve pointed out which is why we’re in talks to integrate our platform with a couple of patient database software providers.
The only thing in your review that I would completely disagree with is your suggestion of a flash drive. Besides the fact that flash drives have a high failure rate, (especially when exposed to the elements or pocket lint), we haven’t found a single hospital that would insert an unknown flash drive that could potentially contain a virus that might take down their network, or worse, an executable file that could access patient or secure information.
Truly this is a awful product. For anyone who thinks that someone is going to whip out their cell phone in the middle of a emergency and scan this bracelet is nuts. For any athletic enthusiasts for example a triathlete who is out cycling not everywhere you cycle will allow you to pull up your profile. I biked the other day and scanned it to just see and sure enough it failed.
I would say the standard normal stamp the bracelet is far more effective. Yes less versatile but at least it ensures your information is found and the information can be used. MyID states that 95% of first responders are trained to look for a MyID, they are relying on the fact that 95% of first responders are trained to look for the star of life which is on their bands but truly hard to make out.
Avoid this product at all costs……. I wish I had found this article before buying one…. waste of money
This product is not helpful. Just a money grab. The first one did not scan and the company agreed to send me a replacement bracelet. The second one does not work but now the company is not even responding to my email requests. Clearly they do not stand behind their products. Unethical business practice – come up with a piece of plastic junk and sell it for $20 because you know most people don’t have the time to spend chasing down a refund.