FYI - emergency contacts via cell phones

This 'article' was in our local paper this week.
Sounds like an awesome idea to me.


Put "ICE" in your mobile phone

We all carry our mobile phones with
hundreds of names and numbers stored
in its memeory but yet nobody, other than
ourselves, know which of these numbers
belong to our near and dear ones.

If  we are involved in and accident
or have a heart attack, and the people at-
tending us get hold of our mobile phone,
they wouldn't know which number to call to
inform our family members.  Yes, there are
many numbers stored but which one is the  
contact person in case of an emergency?

For this reason, we  must have one or more
telepone numbers stored under the name
"ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in our phones.

Recently, the concept of "ICE" is catching up
quickly.  It is a simple, important method of
contact during emergency situations.  As cell
phones are carried by a majority of the population,
just store the number of an emergency contact
person under "ICE" in your address book.

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who
found that when they went to an emergency, there
most always was a cell phone with the patient, but
no information as to emergency contact, which left the
medics with no way to notify anyone for the patient.

He therefore thought that it would be a good idea
if there was a nationally (or universal) recognized
name for emergency purposes.

Following a disaster in London, the East Anglican
Ambulance Service has launched a national
"In Case of Emergency" (ICE) campaign.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service
personnel and hospital staff would be able to
quickly contact your next of kin (or contact person)
by simply dialing the number stored under "ICE".

Please pass this information along to everyone you
know.  It won't take long before everybody will know
this.

It really could save your life, or put a loved one's
mind at ease.

If you need more than one contact name, simply
enter ICE1, ICE2, etc.

A great idea that can make a difference.

[jmjm530]

Sounds like an excellent idea, but as long as you're going to the trouble, why not set up a duplicate number under the contact name "Call in Emergency" as not everyone knows what "ICE" means. I didn't.

FWIW I have a contact on my cell called "If Cell Phone Lost" with my home phone number on it. Not a real emergency but a way for someone to contact me if I lose it.

-- Jim

[Bill1954]

Wow, Tumbleweed;

Really good idea. I just entered two ICE numbers in my phone. Thanks for passing this on. Oh, and I know paramedics at the local fire station… I’ll ask them if they’ve ever heard of this, and let you know.

Bill

[tumbleweed1999]

The whole idea is to make it so that all "emergency personnel" and "hospital personnel" will know where to find your contact number.  No one else need know. If ICE is used as a Universal 'code' then no matter where you are, emergency people will know where to look on your phone.  Kapish?  -:))

Geri

[jmjm530]

I "kapish" the idea, but reality is that these things always have cracks to fall through, especially in the beginning. I was just suggesting an alternate listing, in addition to (not instead of) ICE. On a personal note, this will require some re-programming as "ICE" is now taken by the local grocery store that delivers in such emergencies as my Budweiser getting warm.

-- Jim

[tumbleweed1999]

LOL!!  Nut!!

Geri

[tumbleweed1999]

Good idea, checking with the station.  I will try to remember to do that tomorrow when I go to the Sr. Center next door.  I would like to think that they already know about it being it was in our paper, but I would like to get their input on it.

Geri

[Bill1954]

I brought that up because I carry a card in my wallet with an emergency contact number, as well as all my current medications.
When I asked my pal down at the fire station about this, he sort of chuckled and said, “if it ain’t on your wrist, around you neck, or tattooed on your forehead, we won’t catch it.” He then went on to say that a state trooper/highway patrol officer might catch it under certain circumstances. With that said, I still think it’s a great idea to carry things like this though.

Thanks again,

Bill

[FlGuy]

By now you should know the dangers of tatoos.

[FlGuy]

Interesting reference to the coming of the iceman and your Budweiser.  Read this synopsis -   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iceman_Cometh

[jmjm530]

You know, I wondered why whenever I speed dialed that number, either a prostitute or alchoholic showed up at my door. Actually, I'd prefer it if Jessica Lange showed up, so maybe I should ring twice?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Postman_Always_Rings_Twice_%281981_film%29

[cousinit]

I think this is an excellent idea but do the emergency people know about it?

[tumbleweed1999]

That is one thing that I am going to check on here tomorrow. You would think that some would know eventho' it isn't a nationl/universal thing yet.  You wouldn't think that it would take long to "catch on" if they really wanted it to.

[meki]

Cousin it --- Ya -- the emergency people know about it... LOL!

But - I don't know if they all practice it.

Most of us will just start going through the list... Most people have "HOME" on their cells.. Things like that.

[PSP-n-Me]

hahaha if I programmed in ICE in my cell phone whoever found it would think ice fishing contacts

[tumbleweed1999]

I checked with the fire station today and yes, they do know about "ICE" and do look for  the listing.
Also, I got an email from my sister in S. Okla. and she said that they have it down there.  Sooo - It's not as new as one might think.   I guess it just depends on who picks up the ph..  The only ones that we are concerned with, really, are emergency personnel and since it is known nationwide, I'm programming my phone.  -:).  

Chow

Geri

[susan400]

Thanks, Geri, for posting this.  I've added it to my cell phone.

Susan