Blood types on overalls or helmets

[SamHH]

I've seen photos of racing drivers in the 1970's with their blood types embroidered on their overalls or printed on their helmets. Do people still do this? If not, why?

[flemke]

Most "modern" drivers don't do this
A lot of vintage racers still do, although it's not clear whether they're:
- doing so out of habit,
- trying to retain the look of when their cars originally raced, or
- wearing overalls that are forty years old.

It's been pointed out that no medic is going to give someone a transfusion of a certain blood type based on what was written on his overalls.

[custardtart]

mine's on my dashboard

[jimmystratos]

Completely pointless.
Only reason I can think of is to try and look macho by reminding people of the danger element.

[1]

custardtart said:

mine's on my dashboard

Not a good thing to be thinking about when you are sat on the start line.

[Chipchap]

Currently bike racers need "dog tags" with blood type on them, along with name date of birth etc.

Cheers

CC

[MrKipling43]

I think rally drivers still have it too. For obvious reasons.

[Eric Mc]

I would assume that in modern F1, the excellent medical facilities at each venue have all the relevant medical details of each driver on file or on computer. Back in the 60s and 70s, medical facilities veried from poor to complete rubbish and putting blood group details on overalls was seen as necessary to ensure basic cock-ups weren't made in treating an injured drtiver.

[SamHH]

Chipchap said:

Currently bike racers need "dog tags" with blood type on them, along with name date of birth etc.

Cheers

CC

Is this mandated by the FIM?

[SamHH]

Eric Mc said:

I would assume that in modern F1, the excellent medical facilities at each venue have all the relevant medical details of each driver on file or on computer.

This occurred to me but no doubt the medical facilities at most races aren't of the same standard as those at F1 meetings.

[SamHH]

flemke said:

It's been pointed out that no medic is going to give someone a transfusion of a certain blood type based on what was written on his overalls.

Yes, if someone requires emergency blood transfusion are they not simply given O negative blood? In most such situations (i.e. outside of motorsport), the person is not likely to have any identification of their blood type on their clothing, and this is not, as far as I am aware, a problem.

Edited by SamHH on Saturday 5th January 10:23

[thunderbelmont]

Standard procedure is to test the blood group on admission to ensure a correct match, and you can have it tatooed on your forehead if you like, but they'll test it to make sure.

In these days of ambulance chasing lawyers, they have to be correct.

The best information you can carry on you is your name, d.o.b., GP's details, and next of kin!!! (or hospital number if you have one).

Though you might be wearing someone else's overalls or helmet for some reason...

Rob.

[Chipchap]

SamHH said:

Chipchap said:

Currently bike racers need "dog tags" with blood type on them, along with name date of birth etc.

Cheers

CC

Is this mandated by the FIM?

It was an ACU requirement when I last rode, a couple of years ago.

CC

[custardtart]

jimmystratos said:

Completely pointless.
Only reason I can think of is to try and look macho by reminding people of the danger element.

suggest you think again then

Edited by custardtart on Saturday 5th January 18:14

[custardtart]

1 said:

custardtart said:

mine's on my dashboard

Not a good thing to be thinking about when you are sat on the start line.

Funnily enough I don't think about it!

[Porlock]

In my role as a Speed Clerk of the Course and also as Safety Officer on a B.T.R.D.A. Forest Rallly I think having your blood group displayed is, Highly Reccomended, it could help save your life. I know that if your awake and lucid then the medics can ask, but how many non motorsport people know thier blood group anyway?

If you Borrow / Lend your race suit then its important that the blood group is not readable, most suits have names etc embroidered on the Waist Strap.

[mickholly]

If any emergency transfusion is needed it would be a volume expander first and if whole blood is needed they its O negative blood

[sjn2004]

mickholly said:

If any emergency transfusion is needed it would be a volume expander first and if whole blood is needed they its O negative blood

The Police and Fire Brigade in Brazil have their surname followed by their blood group on their uniforms so it must be used in some places.

[jimmystratos]

custardtart said:

jimmystratos said:

Completely pointless.
Only reason I can think of is to try and look macho by reminding people of the danger element.

suggest you think again then

Edited by custardtart on Saturday 5th January 18:14

No. I am a specialist in Intensive Care and trauma management, and as someone else has said nobody ever gets blood other than Universal Donor O negative without having laboratory cross matching of their blood done. Never. Having your blood group on your car/overalls/helmet/tattoo is pointless. No medical service will pay it the slightest attention.

[fergus]

jimmystratos said:

custardtart said:

jimmystratos said:

Completely pointless.
Only reason I can think of is to try and look macho by reminding people of the danger element.

suggest you think again then

Edited by custardtart on Saturday 5th January 18:14

No. I am a specialist in Intensive Care and trauma management, and as someone else has said nobody ever gets blood other than Universal Donor O negative without having laboratory cross matching of their blood done. Never. Having your blood group on your car/overalls/helmet/tattoo is pointless. No medical service will pay it the slightest attention.

Jimmy S, I have ABO incompatability, so have this on the side of my lid, along with my blood group (A+). To the best of my knowledge, I can't have O neg in the event of a trauma type accident? Is this likely to be true?

PS ACU still specify the dog tags must contain blood group for club racing in the UK.