RADTriage Model50 Dosimeter & Self-indicating Instant Alert Dosimeters Practically Non-Destructible, Tamper Resistant, Tamper Evident Highly Reliable & Robust Emergency Dosimeter

Folks, I bought one of these a few weeks ago and really could not tell how much life was left in it (novice, sorry...). It looked expired and after reading some of the reviews here I decided I might have gotten a bum card. I got clearance to send the card back but I contacted SafeCastle and ask for more guidance on how to tell the condition of the card and I sent them a picture of my card at their request. SafeCastle, Amber in particular, were easy to work with and a ton of help. Here's what I got back in response from them: Your card looks good and still has quite some time, if you place the card in the Freezer, it helps extend the shelf life. Based on your photo, estimating 4 years shelf life if stored below 40F. The Sensor Bar of the RADTriage will develop color equivalent to about 10 mSv in about one year if stored at room temperature, or approximately 70F. The shelf life of the RADTriage expires one year from the issue date (your specific card has an issue date of 1/2017). However if stored in the freezer, it will have a shelf life of 5 years from issue date and definitely when the color of the area surrounding the dots of the FIT (can no longer see dots). Hope this helps, let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks, Amber That's a lot of good info!! I kept the card and have just bought a second one (oh, putting this thing in the fridge, since radiation does not care whether the card is outside, inside your home, in a car, refrigerator, anything BUT a lead can, keeping this in the fridge is a great idea--will check it each time I go for a snack!

Well, I cannot test the usefulness since that is totally dependent on the accuracy of the card, but it gets great recommendations from many prep sites. So 5 stars? I would however like to give it a 1 STAR on the descriptions for the expiration and sensor reference bars. It is easy to be confused at first if the unit received is still new, or according to the documentation has been exposed to negatives of "tampering, service life, and the effects of undesired ambient conditions". This is a combination of two factors, both self inflicted by the card designer's attempt to be helpful to the consumer. This happens frequently when engineers design highly technical tools and corresponding docs without end user laymen input; this would be purely speculative on my part to suppose it happened here. First, and simply, the card itself states: "expires two years from issue date". Issue date appears to be a white blank area for me to write in whatever date I would like. Please please just stamp a manufacture month and year into the card. We can then trust maximum two years (or whatever they suggest) from manuf. date "assuming appropriate exposure protections are met". Secondly, and this would take way way too long to explain, but I read through the relevant instructions twice and the cards instructions and still took a third look before I understood where the misunderstanding many are having: you are sharing the word "reference bar" and "on the right" with both reference bars, both on the right, for the Sensor and the FIT Indicator. There lots of comments here from confused folks and they get lambasted from a reply to RTFM. Change the sharing of words and it will go much smoother!

You never know when you may be exposed to radiation and need to measure or be alerted to your received cumulative dosage. I carry this in my wallet at all times and also have a NukAlert that I also have in my vehicle or take with me on travel for additional peace of mind. This fits nicely and discreetly in a wallet, there for if you should need it. The card is easy to ready and lets you know if needs to be replaced or if you have received a significant dosage of radiation and take appropriate action. No need to freak out or be worried about radiation. Understanding that radiation is all around us, just the amount matters. If you have this you have a tool that can be used when you need it to help keep you and those around you safe in the event of an unlikely emergency radiological situation so you can make smart decisions to get to a safer location. This product needs to be replaced if the card indicators show that it needs replacement, or two years have passed, whichever occurs first. I recommend this as it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and an invaluable tool if you were to need it and have it.

I got this thing to ferret out "domestic" operations, should one take place in my area. If someone says, "Get on the bus, a threat approaches.", I pull out my card and show it. "No. There's no threat. YOU get on the bus." These cards are one-off detectors. For multiple uses, get a Geiger counter. I'd get both and keep them close. We need to be able to test our environment against what we've been told.

it works

Seems to work. Cost is high for what it is.

No way to review-So far its good, lets hope I never have to find out.

At this point in time, everyone needs to buy this. Right now, Putin is a loose canon.

Exactly as it says on the tin. Came in a plastic sealed bag in a labelled envelope. No sign of manufactured date which is a downer. Would be good to have it. Appearance is yellow with a clear laminate around it which would protect it from moisture. Instructions state to keep it away from UV and claims to last 10 years if left in freezer (until that time comes). I thought I'd leave it in the glove compartment of my car but then thought the heat alone would probably bake it. Think I'll just leave it in my wallet and show to friends. Very easy to follow.