In Case of Emergency -- ICE

[Mark Sedenquist]

The American College of Emergency Physicians Association is recommending that folks enter emergency contact information into their phone directory on their cell phones.

I have done this on my cellphones and recommend that all roadtrippers do it as well. The easiest way to do this is to create a name: ICE (which stands for in case of an emergency) and can provide rapid information to first responders in case the roadtripper is unable to communicate after an accident or allergic reaction or whatever.

Under my ICE -- I have provided the e-mail address and direct phone number to my wife.

Under ICE-2 I have listed another family member.

For more information about this innovative idea, here is a quick article.

Mark

[RoadTripper Brad]

There is one thing I don't like about this... it's effects on Voice Dial. Either you have to say "ICE- Bob" or create a duplicate entry. My fiance uses it, but I don't, opting instead for a card in the wallet. Just my method!

-Brad

[Mark Sedenquist]

There is one thing I don't like about this... it's effects on Voice Dial.

Yeah, that could true. But the reason for the inclusion is never when you are using it anyway. It is for the unlikely times when the owner of the cell phone is incapacitated in some way and unable to provide information about their own medical care.

Mark

[PNW Judy]

My phone lets me prioritize my phone numbers so I've added an emergency phone number list prior to the general alphabetical listings. If someone looks in my directory, the first numbers that will come up are family and then my doctor's number. Instead of names, the numbers say: Husband, Mom, Daughter, Son, Sister, In-Laws, Doctor. And since they come up first, they would be easily found by emergency personnel.

But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a few double-entires and put some of these folks under the Ice label as well.

Either way, some method for emergency workers to know what numbers are the most important contact info is a good idea.

[jesseschulman]

Been using this for about 2-3 years now. When I traveled to Europe a couple years back I heard about people using it there, so I added it to my phone. I have 3 ICE listings, they say things like ICE Dad and ICE Mom and such... Every time I see someone's cell phone I always tell them to put in an ICE contact.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have 3 ICE listings, they say things like ICE Dad and ICE Mom and such... Every time I see someone's cell phone I always tell them to put in an ICE contact.

I like that ICE DAD -- concept -- I think it is a good idea. I can tell you that I have stopped several times and assisted in roadside traffic wrecks and I will certainly be looking for ICE contacts now.

Mark

[UKCraig]

It's been quite a popular thing here in Europe for some time. So long, in fact, that it's one of those things that gets forgotten. I've just added it back into my mobile (cell) as I forgot about it when I got a new one. Oops!

I like the concept of the ICE Mum/ICE Sister thing, though. Not heard of that before, good idea!

[Tom_H007]

UPMC has posted details on how to set it up.