ICE Your Cell Phone!

-wittyphrasehere- · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 07:34 PM

Mobile phone users are being urged to enter a number in their phone's memory with the acronym ICE, for In Case of Emergency, with the contact person's name and number.

Paramedics or police would be able to swiftly to find the number and use it to reach a relative or friend who could help identify deceased victims and treat injured ones, by providing vital personal information, including details of any medical conditions.

ICE is the brainchild of British paramedic Bob Brotchie, who told The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen Tuesday the idea came to him "just from reflecting on difficulties I've had in obtaining information about patients. The vast majority of people don't carry emergency contact details or next-of-kin details, but the vast majority of people carry cell phones.

"Most (paramedics) spend time looking for a cell phone, not knowing who to call. It occurred to me there might be a uniform way of doing this."

But, with ICE before the contact person's name, all a paramedic has to do is search for "ice" to quickly get the name of the person to call.

"The advice," Brotchie says, "is that you first agree with that person that they be that contact, so they're aware of it. They must (be able to) confirm your date of birth, your name, preferably your address. Hopefully, things such as allergies, blood type, any previous medical history that may be relevant, and then we can get that information to the hospital, perhaps before we leave the scene of an accident, and that will expedite treatment. The hope is that the next-of-kin contact can meet us at the hospital at the same time and the treatment will be as rapid as it could possibly be."

"The whole idea is that people should provide information for the emergency services to help treat you at the scene of an incident."

Brotchie says ICE could literally be a lifesaver: "It's certainly got the potential to save lives. What is more important, or more likely, is that it will expedite treatment and help people at the earliest opportunity. That's been shown to have major beneficial effects."

oedipussy · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 07:38 PM

OK - I can kind of get the point, but I don't really see how this would be much more effective than just scanning through the person's saved phone numbers...

constantlylearning · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 08:47 PM

If I am reading this correct, "ICE" would get the call to the "right" person
quickly. Someone with the correct information about the person in
question. SOunds reasonable to me.

Knight · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 08:54 PM

Would it not be more effective to just carry this personal information on you?

Carry a small laminated paper that has your blood type, list of allergies (if applicable) and an emergency number, keep it in your pocket.

I have a sticker on the inside of my bike helmet with this info in case I am incapacitated.

Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty smart idea but phones have their limitations, i.e. dead battery, shorted out, etc. Maybe people also lock their keypads?

Still a good idea and I shall consider it.

sera300 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 06:02 AM

HELLO....YES we do look for this first as does the police/fire responders....Carry info? Long lost in the event of a mugging or Rollover....PLEASE DO THIS....WE DO LOOK!!!!!!!

constantlylearning · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 09:32 PM

I actually thought it was a nice idea........Go figure.

sera300 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 09:50 PM

There are ways to override the issues with cells when an emergency occurs. To be safe IDEALLY carry both ID & cell. Blood type...is insignificant. Need to know allergies to meds, all meds & supplements taken, significant medical conditions. This can be kept on a band as well on an arm...