A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone's memory under the heading "ICE"
(i. e. In Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of last week's terrorist attacks in London. Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative next-of-kin in an emergency situation. The idea is the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year. Bob, 41, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, said: "I was reflecting on some of the calls I've attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history."
By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life. Why not put ICE in your phone now? Simply select a new contact in your phone book, enter the word 'ICE' and the number of the person you wish to be contacted.
Eight out of 10 British people carry no next of kin details. Yet 80% carry a mobile phone, most of whom have it on them all the time.
There is no simpler way of letting the emergency services know who to contact should you be involved in an accident than by using ICE.
Standing for In Case of Emergency, ICE will allow ambulance crews and police officers to quickly contact a nominated person who can be informed of the incident.
* Type the acronym ICE followed by a contact name (for example, ICE - mum or ICE - David) into the address book of your mobile phone
* Save their phone number
* Tell your ICE contact that you have nominated them
ICE ADVICE
Follow these hints to get the best out of ICE:
* Make sure the person whose name and number you are giving has agreed to be your ICE partner
* Make sure your ICE partner has a list of people they should contact on your behalf - including your place of work
* Make sure your ICE person's number is one that's easy to contact, for example a home number could be useless in an emergency if the person works full time
* Make sure your ICE partner knows about any medical conditions that could affect your emergency treatment - for example allergies or current medication
* Make sure if you are under 18, your ICE partner is a parent or guardian authorised to make decision on your behalf - for example if you need a life or death operation
* Should you your prefered contact be deaf, then prefix the number with ICETEXT
http://www.icecontact.com/index.html
