Wristband

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Rafael Nadal wearing yellow wrist bands during a tennis match. Nadal Australian Open 2009 5.jpg
Rafael Nadal wearing yellow wrist bands during a tennis match.
A white terrycloth wristband on an arm, next to a blue silicone wristband. Wristbandtypes.jpg
A white terrycloth wristband on an arm, next to a blue silicone wristband.

Wristbands are encircling strips worn on the wrist or lower forearm. The term may refer to a bracelet-like band, similar to that of a wristwatch, to the cuff or other part of a sleeve that covers the wrist, or decorative or functional bands worn on the wrist for many different reasons. Wristbands are often worn and used similarly to event passes such as lanyards to information or allow people entry to events. These wristbands are made from loops of plastic that are placed around the wrist and are used for identification purposes (demonstrating the wearer's authorization to be at a venue, for example).

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Another type of wristband is the sweatband; usually made of a towel-like terrycloth material. These are usually used to wipe sweat from the forehead during sport but have been known to be used as a badge or fashion statement. A practice common in mid-1980s punk subculture was to cut the top off of a sock and fashion the elastic into this type of wristband.

Silicone wristbands

The Make Poverty History white wristband and a red Christian band. Wristbands.jpg
The Make Poverty History white wristband and a red Christian band.

In the early-to-mid-2000s (decade), bracelets often made of silicone became popular. They are worn to demonstrate the wearer's support of a cause or charitable organization, similar to awareness ribbons. Such wristbands are sometimes called awareness bracelets to distinguish them from other types of wristbands. In early 2007 they became an increasingly popular item being sold as merchandise at concerts & sporting events worldwide. The wristbands bearing official logos or trademarks enabled the seller to offer a low price point merchandise option to fans. Silicone wristbands may also be called gel wristbands, jelly wristbands, rubber wristbands and fundraising wristbands. [1] All of these wristbands are made from the same silicone material.

UV ultra violet wristbands

UV Ultra Violet Sensitive silicone wristbands appear clear/white when out of UV light, but when exposed to ultra violet light such as sunlight the wristbands' color changes to blue or fuchsia. These bands can be used as reminders for people to apply sunscreen or stay in the shade on hot summer days.

Hospital wristbands

Example of hospital wristband LB2-ADULT-L3 Assembled.jpg
Example of hospital wristband

Hospital wristbands are a commonly used safety device for identifying patients undergoing medical care (see patient safety and medical identification tag). Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate patients as small as newborns and as large as obese adults, hospital wristbands can be handwritten, embossed, laser-printed or thermal-imaged with names, pictures, medical record numbers, barcodes and other personal identifiers.

Laser printing and thermal imaging—the most advanced technologies for personalizing hospital wristbands—support fonts, colors and barcodes for improved patient safety through electronic patient and medication tracking. Handwritten and embossed wristbands remain in widespread use, however, despite findings on compromised safety reported in 2007. The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) found that as many as 2,900 patients each year were receiving the wrong medical care because of the hospital staff's inability to read damaged or otherwise illegible patient information on handwritten and embossed wristbands. [2]

Event wristbands

A collection of wristbands from music festivals. Festivalbaendchen 27072013.JPG
A collection of wristbands from music festivals.
Travel agents and private organizers in Hajj and Umrah provide pilgrims with wearables such as wristbands, as seen on this pilgrim at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, as identifiers. Young Muslim spplicating in Masjid al-Haram, 6 April 2015.jpg
Travel agents and private organizers in Hajj and Umrah provide pilgrims with wearables such as wristbands, as seen on this pilgrim at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, as identifiers.

Colored wristbands are often given to people attending events such as music festivals and gigs as an access control measure. Counterfeit wristbands are increasingly common. [3] [4]

Silicone wristbands (sometimes referred to as gel bracelets) are popular for fundraising or showing support for a cause. An event organizer might create a custom wristband to give out or sell to those interested in an event or supporting a cause. Some people keep the wristbands as souvenirs or wear the wristbands after the event to show what events they went to. [5]

Further uses for wristbands include event ticketing at music festivals, and sporting events may include an NFC (near field communication) chip that would allow contactless payment at the concessions and turnstiles. Wristbands are ideal to use for dark environments such as nightclubs and bars, or outdoor venues where patrons can be far away, such as festivals and theme parks.

In addition, these styles of colored wristbands are used alongside hospital patient bands to serve as an extra safety reminder and alert for allergies. They will have a standard color and clearly written labeling, such as "Fall Risks" (which may come from medical conditions, injuries and/or medications used), "Allergies" (to cover allergic reactions), or "Latex Allergies" (to make sure medical safety gloves are not made of latex), amongst several other important cautions that would help protect the patient by preventing iatrogenic mistakes.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bracelet</span> Jewelry worn around the wrist

A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a supportive function to hold other items of decoration, such as charms. Medical and identity information are marked on some bracelets, such as allergy bracelets, hospital patient-identification tags, and bracelet tags for newborn babies. Bracelets may be worn to signify a certain phenomenon, such as breast cancer awareness, or for religious/cultural purposes.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical identification tag</span> Bracelet or tag with medical information

A medical identification tag is a small emblem or tag worn on a bracelet, neck chain, or on the clothing bearing a message that the wearer has an important medical condition that might require immediate attention. For emergency medical providers such as paramedics and emergency physicians, medical identification tags are particularly useful in situations where the wearer is unconscious, altered mental status, very young, or otherwise unable to provide critical medical information. The tag is often made out of stainless steel or sterling silver. A wallet card with the same information may be used instead of or along with a tag, and a stick-on medical ID tag may be added or used alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical glove</span> Single-use glove worn during medical examinations and procedures

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubber glove</span> Glove made out of rubber

A rubber glove is a glove made out of natural or synthetic rubber. The term 'rubber' refers to durable, waterproof and elastic material made from natural or synthetic latex. Rubber gloves can be unsupported or supported. Its primary purpose is protection of the hands while performing tasks involving chemicals. Rubber gloves can be worn during dishwashing to protect the hands from detergent and allow the use of hotter water. Sometimes caregivers will use rubber gloves during the diaper changing process to prevent contact with the child's fecal material/urine. Health professionals use medical gloves rather than rubber gloves when performing surgical operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slap bracelet</span> Bracelets worn by slapping them on the wrist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charm bracelet</span> Chain bracelet on which collectible charms may be hung

A charm bracelet is a type of bracelet which carries personal jewelled ornaments or "charms", such as decorative pendants or trinkets. The decorative charms usually carry personal or sentimental attachment by the owner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gel bracelet</span> Type of wristband

Gel bracelets are a type of wristband often made from silicone.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silly Bandz</span> Shaped rubber bands

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hologram bracelet</span> Unproven performance-enhancing device

A hologram bracelet or energy bracelet is a small rubber wristband supposedly fitted with a hologram. Manufacturers have said that the holograms supposedly "optimise the natural flow of energy around the body," and, "improve an athlete's strength, balance and flexibility". Only anecdotal evidence supports these claims and tests performed by the Australian Skeptics, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, and the RMIT's School of Health Sciences have been unable to identify any effect on performance.

Reminderband Inc. is an American international company that manufactures and sells customized silicone wristbands and bracelets for multiple markets, including healthcare, entertainment/recreation, law enforcement, and more. With its headquarters in Logan, Utah, Reminderband also has a logistics and development center in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power Balance</span> Hologram bracelet brand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VITAband</span>

VITAband is a silicone encircling strip worn on the wrist. It can be referred to a bracelet-like band of a wristwatch, to the cuff or other part of a sleeve that covers the wrist. It is a lightweight, waterproof and hypoallergenic flexible wristband that is used when jogging, running, cycling or hiking, or when carrying a wallet is inconvenient. VITAband holds emergency medical information and Visa RFID credit card information. The wristband has two unique features. It comprises an integrated Visa Debit card with payWave wireless functionality and a toll-free phone number with unique identity code that can be used by EMTs to retrieve health information and contacts in case of an accident or health emergency.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watch strap</span> Bracelet that straps a watch to the wrist

A watch strap, watch band,watch bracelet or watch belt is a bracelet that straps a wrist watch onto the wrist. Watch straps may be made of leather, plastic, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, FKM, cloth, or metal, sometimes in combination. It can be regarded as a fashion item, serving both a utilitarian and decorative function. Some metal watch straps may be plated with, or even in rare cases made of, precious metals.

The salvation bracelet, also known as the gospel bracelet, witness bracelet, or wordless bracelet, is a bracelet used as a tool of Christian evangelism. The bracelet consists of a series of colored beads which represent key aspects of the Christian gospel.

References

  1. Molesworth, Harley (1 January 2019). "A Comprehensive Guide To Silicone Wristbands". Wristbands.co.uk. Harley Molesworth. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. "NHS England".
  3. Boyd, Brian (27 November 2009). "Coming soon to a music festival near you: the wristband racket". Irish Times. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  4. "Reading And Leeds Festival organiser warns fans against ticket and wristband scam". NME. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  5. O'Reilly, John (2002). No brief: graphic designers' personal projects. Rockport Publishers. ISBN   2-88046-694-6.