In Case of Emergency

[chinacat46]

Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.

ICE - "In Case of Emergency"
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign the concept of "ICE " is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell (mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hosp ital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE." For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

[kjvander]

a very good suggestion and one that should be used....even if you're cell phone doesn't reach out to certain parts of the areas....they can always get the number and call for you....very good tool and very easy to do..

[SynCitizen]

I've had ICE in my phone for years. Everyone should. Easy, free, universal.

[Lulubelle]

Hmmm, and I just had one called MOM! I'm sure they wouldn't know what to think about GEEK and GOOBER (brothers).

Thanks for sharing, Mom will now become ICE.

L

[Flatliner]

I had this on my phone for a while. The problem I found was that everytime my wife called (L)ori it came up (I)CE on caller ID. I guess I should have married an (A)mber or (B)ecky

[dallasdivergirl]

I have both of my parents and my sisters, they are in my phone twice once as their regular setup and the other as ICE.

[navyhmc]

I hate to say it, but in all my years of EMS, I have yet to acess someone's cell phone for information. Not that this is not a good idea, but in the pre-hospital setting, the patients come in two distinct varieties: Not serious which means they are talking to me and I will get the information from them.

The other is serious/critical/gonna die right now which means I don't have time to be talking to someone as I am trying to keep them from going into cardiac arrest or bleeding out so I talking to someone at that time is not a high priority.

The I C E is a good thing for hospitals and the like, but saying that all paramedics use it is incorrect.

Lulubelle: If I did see a phone with goober on it, I would automatically figure it meant either a brother or sister.

[gNats]

Navy - How do you think HIPAA reacts to the use of cell phone contact lists to contact someone in an emergency?

I work for an insurance company. Through the HIPAA policy guidelines, we have to respect the insureds' right to privacy - which includes not telling family members without permission.

(I know you know this Navy).

Could you see an instance where a person in the contact list was called (and not identified as ICE) and the patient became angry?

I guess, even if you have Mom or Dad in the list, that doesn't mean you want them to be called before your husband, who may just be listed as Robert.

Frankly, I always tell people call my mom last, after you have a complete understanding of the problem. I have to be FINE, dead, or need them to choose between life and death (because all other options have been applied).

Calling my mom and telling her I was in accident without details would be very very bad. She doesn't deal with huge trauma real well completely at first.

[JCAT]

Speaking of cell phones and emergency numbers,

I have DANs numbers listed as Divers Alert Network


1-919-684-4DAN (4326)
1-800-446-2671 (toll-free)
+1-919-684-9111 (Latin America Hotline)

A good idea IMHO

cheers

[BarbadosSlim93]

The ICE is a great idea. AAA is actually passing out ICE cards to all of their members to fill out and place in their car. I have one there and in my wallet. Hopefully I never have to use it.