On or with you
Choose something reasonably likely to stay with you: a running vest, hydration pack, riding jacket, PFD, BCD, backpack strap or physical ICE card.
ICE Placement & Printing Guide
Put your emergency QR where somebody can realistically find it — in a format that suits the way you live.
A QR in your wallet is useful. It should not always be the only copy. Think about where you are, what you wear or carry, what equipment stays with you, and whether the material can cope with water, sun, movement and abrasion.
1ON / WITH YOUVest • jacket • pack • ICE card
2ON YOUR GEARBike • board • equipment • vehicle
3ROUTINE BACKUPWallet • bag • keyring • travel kit
The three-point principle
Do not search for one perfect place. Build sensible redundancy.
Different incidents separate people from different things. A rider can be separated from a bicycle. A kitesurfer can be separated from a board. A hiker can put a pack down. Where practical, use more than one placement so the emergency starting point does not depend on a single object.
On relevant equipment
A second QR on the bike, motorcycle luggage, board, kayak, equipment case or other activity gear can provide another route when it is safe to do so.
A routine backup
Keep another copy in a wallet, handbag, travel bag, keyring tag or another item that already forms part of your everyday routine.
Land, trail & road
Match the placement to the activity.
Cycling & mountain biking
Consider: hydration pack, cycling vest, separate ICE card, bicycle frame or saddle/gear bag.
A rider and bicycle may become separated. Avoid making the bike the only location.
Running & trail running
Consider: running vest, hydration pack, race belt, sports bag or separate ICE card.
Choose something that stays with the runner rather than only a bag left at the start.
Hiking & backpacking
Consider: backpack shoulder strap, pack exterior, jacket, waterproof card or equipment tag.
A visible location can be more useful than burying the only copy deep inside the pack.
Motorcycling
Consider: riding jacket or vest, wallet ICE card, motorcycle luggage or a suitable motorcycle label.
Do not modify or apply products to a helmet unless the helmet manufacturer confirms that the method is permitted.
Motocross & enduro
Consider: chest protector where permitted, hydration pack, riding kit, gear bag or motorcycle.
High abrasion and mud mean the QR format needs to be especially durable and easy to replace.
Equestrian activities
Consider: riding vest, jacket, ICE card, saddle/gear tag or other equipment likely to remain associated with the rider.
The rider and horse can separate, so use an on-person option as the primary placement.
Water & marine
Wet environments need both redundancy and suitable materials.
Kitesurfing
Consider: harness or impact/PFD equipment where manufacturer guidance permits, waterproof gear tag, board label and a backup in the gear bag.
The rider and board can separate. Do not make the board the only QR location.
Surfing
Consider: suitable wetsuit/vest-compatible tag, board label and a waterproof card in the gear bag.
A board may separate from the surfer, so equipment-only placement is not enough.
Scuba diving
Consider: BCD or suitable dive-gear tag where permitted, surface gear bag and a waterproof physical card.
The QR is primarily useful once a connected scanning device is available; it is not an underwater communication system.
Boating & sailing
Consider: PFD/life jacket where permitted, personal sailing gear, waterproof card, boat emergency station or personal bag.
Prefer at least one placement that stays with the person if they leave the vessel.
Kayaking & paddling
Consider: PFD where permitted, hydration pack, dry bag and kayak/canoe label.
The paddler and craft can separate. On-person placement should normally be prioritised.
Fishing & shore activities
Consider: PFD or jacket where permitted, tackle/equipment bag, waterproof card and vehicle/travel backup.
Salt water, UV and repeated handling call for a material designed for outdoor exposure.
Everyday, family & travel
The same principle works outside sport.
Travel
Consider: day pack, travel bag, luggage tag and ICE card.
Checked luggage should be a backup rather than the only location because it may not be with you.
Vehicle & 4x4
Consider: a visible but sensible location in the vehicle, keyring tag, travel kit or wallet card.
Do not print sensitive medical or identity details next to the QR; use the QR as the controlled access point.
Older adults
Consider: wallet/purse card, handbag, mobility aid tag where suitable, keyring or vehicle backup.
Simple, visible and familiar locations are usually more useful than complicated technology.
Children & family activities
Consider: sports bag, school/activity bag or a parent-managed physical card, taking age and privacy into account.
Only make information available that is appropriate for the child and the situation.
Camping & overlanding
Consider: day pack, jacket, camping bag, vehicle and waterproof physical card.
Use a personal placement as well as a vehicle/camp placement in case the person leaves camp.
Work & site activity
Consider: work bag, approved ID/tag system, outer garment or personal card where workplace rules allow.
Never interfere with required PPE, official identification or workplace safety markings.
Choose the material for the environment
The same QR can be produced in different physical formats.
There is no single material that suits every situation. Choose a format intended for the expected water, sunlight, movement, heat and abrasion — and replace it when it becomes difficult to scan.
01
PVC or plastic ICE card
Good for
Wallet, purse, ID holder, lanyard and travel kit.
Consider
A durable everyday option. Keep a second placement if the wallet may be lost or separated from you.
02
Laminated card
Good for
Wallet, glovebox, bag and document holder.
Consider
Simple and inexpensive. Seal the edges properly if moisture is expected.
03
Waterproof synthetic card
Good for
Hiking, trail running, boating, paddling and diving surface kits.
Consider
Choose stock designed for repeated wetting rather than ordinary paper.
04
Outdoor / UV-resistant vinyl
Good for
Bicycles, motorcycle luggage, kayaks, equipment cases and vehicles.
Consider
Use a product rated for the surface and outdoor conditions. Replace it when faded, scratched or lifting.
05
Reflective label
Good for
Bicycles, bags, outdoor gear and motorcycle luggage.
Consider
Visibility can improve, but excessive glare may reduce scanning in some lighting. Test the finished label.
06
Fabric patch or textile label
Good for
Backpacks, hydration packs, jackets and running or cycling gear.
Consider
Use a method compatible with the garment. Do not sew, heat-transfer or bond onto safety-critical equipment unless permitted.
07
Flexible silicone / rubber tag
Good for
Sports bags, luggage, backpack loops and keyrings.
Consider
Useful where a rigid label is impractical. Keep the QR flat enough to scan reliably.
08
Metal / engraved tag
Good for
Keyrings, equipment cases and selected fixed equipment.
Consider
Highly durable, but the QR needs strong contrast and enough detail. Test it with multiple phones before relying on it.
09
Marine-grade label
Good for
Boats, kayaks, boards and dive or surface equipment.
Consider
Choose materials and adhesives rated for water, salt and UV exposure, and confirm compatibility with the equipment surface.
10
Protective clear laminate
Good for
Outdoor labels exposed to abrasion or moisture.
Consider
Useful over a printed label if it does not create glare, distortion or bubbles over the QR.
Keep the QR scannable
A durable QR is only useful if a phone can still read it.
Contrast: use a clear dark QR on a light background rather than decorative low-contrast colours.Quiet space: keep a clean margin around the QR; do not crowd it with text, logos or borders.Flat enough: avoid very tight curves, folds or flexible areas that distort the code.Large enough: test the final printed size at a realistic scanning distance before putting it into service.Protect it: inspect for scratches, fading, peeling, mud or salt deposits and replace the label when needed.Test it: scan every finished format with more than one phone before relying on it.
PRINT → PLACE → TEST
QR
Then test it again after real-world use.A beautiful label that cannot be scanned is not an emergency access point.
Safety equipment first
Do not damage protective equipment just to add a QR.
Helmets, PFDs/life jackets, BCDs, protective clothing and other safety equipment may have manufacturer rules about stickers, solvents, adhesives, heat, drilling, sewing or alterations.
Do not drill or cut safety equipment.Do not cover certification or safety labels.Do not use unknown solvents or aggressive adhesives.Do not heat-transfer or sew through protective equipment unless permitted.Do not place the QR where it obstructs controls, visibility or required markings.
Check before you attach:
Remember:
If the item is safety-critical, follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions. When in doubt, use another placement such as a vest, pack, separate tag, ICE card or equipment bag rather than modifying the protective item.
Remember:
The scanning device needs connectivity to open a web-based SenecMe ICE destination. Placement does not guarantee that a responder will notice or scan the QR. SenecMe supplements normal emergency preparation and does not replace emergency services, medical advice or activity-specific safety equipment.
SenecMe ICE placement & printing checklist
□ I have reviewed the emergency information I want available.
□ My emergency contacts are current.
□ I have one placement on/with me where practical.
□ I have considered a second placement on relevant equipment.
□ I have a routine backup such as an ICE card, bag or keyring.
□ The material is appropriate for water, sun, movement and abrasion in that activity.
□ I have not modified safety equipment contrary to manufacturer guidance.
□ I tested every printed QR with more than one phone.
□ I know the scanning device needs connectivity to open the web destination.
□ I will inspect the physical QR and review the information behind it regularly.
SenecMe — Be ready when life happens.
One QR design. Several sensible placements.
Prepare the emergency information first, then choose physical formats that fit your everyday life and activities.