A new safety device claims to deliver riders’ vital information to emergency responders in the event of an accident — without the need for a phone call.
The “PAL” Emergency comes as a single card that can be placed in a rider’s pocket, or a pair of stickers that are attached to the helmet.
Both contain an interactive chip containing the rider’s details and medical history. These are transmitted directly to any kind of mobile phone via a microchip or QR (bar) code, which can be read by a smartphone.
BHS safety executive Sheila Hardy told H&H: “Any item that contributes towards the safety of a rider in an easy and simple fashion has to be good, particularly if it isn’t expensive.”
The cards, which cost between £13.75 and £19.75, can also be loaded with the horse’s details.
“In a remote location, the QR code will still deliver the user’s information and does not rely on a phone signal or internet connection,” said Peter Acob from Ansatag, which sells the device.
“All hospital staff and paramedics are trained to look for important medical information that the patient may be carrying on them.”
Other items are on the market, such as the British Horse Society-approved system BEIDS (www.beids.co.uk), offer similar emergency assistance, but only when a caller at the accident scene rings a number on the rider’s sticker, wrist band, bag tag or saddle tag.
Official BHS figures show that around 200 accidents happen each year, but Mrs Hardy says the true number is far higher.
For more information, visit www.emergencypal.com
This story was originally published in 12 December issue of Horse & Hound
