VITAband

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A VITAband showing a Visa Debit card VITAband(1).jpg
A VITAband showing a Visa Debit card

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 [1] flexible wristband that is used when jogging, running, cycling or hiking, or when carrying a wallet is inconvenient. [2] [3] VITAband holds emergency medical information and Visa RFID credit card information. [2] The wristband has two unique features. [4] 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. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

History

VITAband was created by David Waxman and Jason Brown in 2007 and was launched in September 2009. [7] [8] The idea was conceived from medical ID bracelet but the designers had targeted athletes. So, they set out to design a medical ID bracelet that was comfortable to wear while jogging, running, cycling, hiking, etc., along with being versatile enough to use during exercise. [9] VITAband is a combination of design and function which conveniently and securely stores emergency information remotely and offers access to money by contactless payment. [7]

VITAband VITAband(2).jpg
VITAband

Description

The designers wanted to set their product apart from others so they integrated contactless payment technology into the band. [8] A user has to set up his Emergency Response Profile (ERP), which includes basic contact information, blood type, allergies, insurance information, medications, and emergency contacts. [8] [9] Annual subscription is required to maintain the Emergency Response Profile (ERP) [1] In the case of an emergency, medical professionals are trained to look for the number on the user's VITAband and then would have instant access to their ERP. [10] It's a simple bracelet that is keyed to a remote website that holds vital information, such as name, address, and any medical conditions a user might have. [11] The system accepts insurance information. [4] [11] An integrated Visa debit card with payWave wireless functionality has been used. [5] Via this technology, the user makes a payment by waving the chip in front of a credit card terminal. To use the contactless payment via VITAband which is a prepaid card, the user must first set up a VITAband Visa prepaid card. [4] [12] Users can load the card with anywhere from US$25 to $500 via the company website. [9]

Size

VITAband comes in two sizes: [1] a small size of 180 mm (7.1 in) and a large size of 202 mm (8.0 in). [1] [3]

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References

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  3. 1 2 "Convenient cash + safety with VITAband … sweet! - Family Health Guy - Site Home - MSDN Blogs". Blogs.msdn.com. 2011-11-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Vitaband « Not Fast But Not Last". Notfastbutnotlast.com. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  5. 1 2 "WIRED Store". Store.wired.com. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
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  7. 1 2 "VITAband". CoolBusinessIdeas.com. 2009-07-31. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 "Detailed Review of VITAband". TriBomb. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  9. 1 2 3 "VITAband is a cash/ID combo you wear on your wrist". Gizmag.com. 2012-02-06.
  10. "VITAband". VITAband. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  11. 1 2 "Combine Medical Alerts, Cashless Payment with VITAband". TechNewsDaily.com. 2012-02-17.
  12. Steve Casimiro (2011-09-21). "Fresh Goods: VITAband Emergency Bracelet (and Cash)". Adventure-journal.com.