ICE – In Case of Emergency

…or for low tech / lower cost simple ICE ID Tags visit: www.icetags.co.uk

**NB** Whilst having ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts listed in your mobile phone’s contact list is a great idea if you ‘lock’ your phone with a password/security code the emergency services will not be able to access the information in case of need. Bikers should seriously consider wearing / carrying ICE ID Tags 😉

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 the 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 was 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. For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.”

TIPS
TIP1: For the name enter: ICE “name of person” and then the phone number(s)
e.g. “ICE Andy W”
You can add more than one: ICE “another name” and their number(s)
e.g. “ICE Fred B”
Most phones allow you to add ‘notes’ to contact entries e.g. “Mum” and usually more than one phone number e.g. home, mobile, work. I’ve duplicated my ICE entries with a number in front as well so they appear at the start of my contacts list, so “ICE persons name” appears under ‘I’ for ‘ICE’ but I’ve put the same details under “1-ICE Andy W” “2-ICE Fred B” etc which appear before any ‘A’ entries

TIP2: If you place an asterix (“star”) after your ICE contact number(s):
a) It will alow your to seperate the ice number from your regular family listing.
b) It will not show up on caller ID as ICE but as yourself.

Example:
name: ICE1
phone number: xxx-xxx-xxxx*

name:ICE2
phone number: xxx-xxx-xxxx**

and so on

It’s so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.

How Does It Work?
Simply use your mobile’s phone book to store the name and number of someone who should be contacted if you have an emergency – but add the letters ICE in front of their name.

ICE stands for ‘In Case of Emergency’: it’s what the emergency services will look for if you’re involved in an accident and have your mobile phone with you. This straightforward idea was developed by the East Anglian Ambulance Trust and is supported by Vodafone.

Getting Started
On most mobile phones you simply need to select ‘Contacts’ and choose ‘Add New Contact’, then enter the letters ‘ICE’ next to the name, followed by the telephone number of your next of kin. Make sure you choose a number that’s easy to get in touch with – a home number could be useless in an emergency if the person works full time. We recommend that you enter daytime and evening numbers where this is possible.

What Should I Do Next?
Make sure the person whose name and number you are giving has agreed to be your ‘ICE partner’. You should also make sure your ICE partner has a list of people to contact on your behalf, such as your place of work. In addition, they’ll need to know about any medical conditions that could affect your emergency treatment, including allergies or medication.

If you’re under 18, your ICE partner should be your mother, your father or an immediate member of your family authorised to make decisions on your behalf. Friends and other relatives won’t be able to make decisions for you if you’re admitted to hospital.

Storing an ICE number makes it easier for everyone if you’re involved in an accident. It only takes a few seconds, so do it today – please.

Please also pass this information on to as many friends, relatives and colleagues as possible….thank you.