ICE in case of emergency

[smeee]

This came from our school councillor today so I thought I would pass it along

ICE campaign - "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
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 hospital 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. Be sure it's in your kid's cell phones also. A
great idea that will make a difference! Please forward this. It won't take
too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could
save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. Let's spread the
concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

[smiley]

Sounds like a great idea!

Cheers, K

[Ian]

The ICE idea is a very good idea. I have had an ICE number on my phone for more than a year now. The trouble is that a fortnight ago, somebody stole my phone (not at school) I am waiting for them to have an emergency so that I can track my phone down when they call! (then I will cause them a REAL emergency!!)

regards
Ian

[Slartibartfast]

1:Great idea in theory but..... Why would a paramedic need to call a family member? Shouldn't they concentrate on helping the person in need instead? A phone call would only lead to anxiety at a time when it most definantly not needed. If the paramedic has the time and inclination to ring a parent, then the patient is most probably well enough to do so also!

2: We don't need it in schools as we have a database of everyone we need to and I don't want to be looking through belongings for a possible mobile.

I've attended some pretty serious trauma on school grounds, the last thing I want to do is talk to a hysterical parent while I'm trying to do what I need to. It sounds cold but it's a matter of priorities.

3: I was with my brother in law when he smashed his hip (amongst other things) in a motorcycle accident near Wisemans Ferry. A friend with us rang my sister against my request when I was attending to his injuries and she could hear him an agony over the line. Not good. The ambulance men when they arrived told our mate it was innapropriate and cruel to do so.

There is a better time to contact.

4: What if the phone keypad is locked?

[RosalieM]

Perhaps it isn't so much of a priority at the time of the accident, but when they have been stabilised and transported to hospital someone there can make the calls.

[Slartibartfast]

Only if the patient is unconscience/incoherent, has zero ID and no one was with them or knows them at the scene and isn't an Australian resident then maybe they'd scroll though a phone. They do occasionally but they usually ring one of the first names they come across but only as a last resort in casulty/ICU as they don't like having them on in hospitals. They prefer to know who you are, not your mates.

My mum wanted to have us kids microchipped!

[Voice]

Sorry Richard,
I think you have gone a bit over the top about this. It is a simple thing to do that will have some benefits to some people. And if contacting people in an emergency is required then ICE would save some time surely.
Maree

[Slartibartfast]

Me? Over the top?

Ha! More nonsense from Victoria!

Did you know what ICE stands for in a list of contacts? And know to look for it in an emergency case?

I did.

But I don't.

[J]

Three years ago I my daughter was in an accident almost identical to that described by Richard. She was riding a dirt bike in the bush, so had no wallet, no ID, just her mobile. The police, not the paramedics, scrolled through her phone, found 'Mum', and contacted me. They had no idea who she was, or her friend who was with her, also involved in the accident on another bike. I was able to give them the information they needed, not to mention jumping in the car for the 6 hour drive to reach her bedside. Believe me, no one wants to get that call, but sometimes it is necessary. The ICE idea is great, it just needs to be used appropriately.

Julie

[Voice]

Richard, let's go further on this!
Was it your male ego that was hurt when your advice was not taken? Was there another 'alpha' male around?
Of course I do not mean to devalue the situation your brother in law was in, however, as J replied, there is value in ICE. And, I would say, that most of us have been in situations where ICE may have changed the outcome of accidents or illnesses.
Maree (proudly, again, Australian)

[Slartibartfast]

What advise did I give other than that of my mothers to have us microchipped?

Voice, there is no ego involved.

Brian goat is the Alpha male here but he was at morning tea when I typed it.

[Voice]

NO, it's not about egos.
It is about ICE having some use.
You don't seem to want to accept that!
Maree

[Slartibartfast]

You said it was!

Use your head!

Put ICE on your contact list, that's my advise. The police may possibly know what it stands for or then again it may be mistaken for your drug dealer! Get it into the media for people to do so, because posting on a science assistants chat site isn't going to give the world the faintest idea what "ICE" in a list of phone contacts means in the slightest.

Maybe "HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!" or "Oh my god, MUM!!!!!!!!! would be better ones.

Personal ID is much better carried on your person at all times. Lets them know who you are, not who you know.

[Voice]

Any wonder that most of the comedy is born in Victoria. Why, because of our weather! And you don't seem to have any Richard. Egos was used, by me, so that we could have some fun!
Go home, get out of bed again. Maybe it will be the right side this time!!!
Maree

[Slartibartfast]

Comedy? What Darryl Sommers ? No, you mean AFL and the Commonwealth Games surely!

No your right, I should go home to bed, my blood test came back last Friday and I have acute glandular fever, so does my brother who's in the military hospital at Holsworthy with it. I should go home. It's alright I won't pass it onto you electronically.

P.S. It's OK Voice, my mum knows already so you don't need to ring her.

[Voice]

You see Richard,
Mothers' know best. As I am a mother, naturally I have noticed your past messages. And you have always had a sense of humour. That's why I thought something was wrong. Look after yourself. Your health is more important than school. And, sometimes, when you are away, they learn to appreciate you even more.
Maree

[Slartibartfast]

Thanks Voice! My mum is pretty good I must admit!

Assertaining who a patient is is a massive problem for medical staff trying to do the best for them. In this age of multimedia especially, the old saying rings true. KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. Carry ID that has the basics + any additional (medical) info that may one day be needed. Faffing about with phones cannot be relied apon so they don't if they can get away with it.

I have nothing whatsoever against the little state, we just can't stand it when Darryl Sommers feels the need to sing.

A bout of Glandular fever is forever more appealing to a bouncing rendition of "your the voice"!

[Voice]

You and me both.
Maree

[Slartibartfast]

I still would have typed what I typed though, illness or not.

Get your loved ones to carry personal ID as well as yourself if you really want to help. Isn't it illegal (technically) not to?

I know the police like it when they know who you are! And no, NOT me in particular either, they couldn't prove a thing!

I always have it, whether I'm sailing, riding/racing motorcycles, mountainbike riding or walking the labradors. If I keel over, wet or not, they'll know who I am/was.

[Loopy]

Good advice!
ICE has been going around the emails for a couple of years now, I have had it sent to me several times. I suspect many people now use this as emergency contacts details because of the internet. BUT carrying personal ID is a good idea as well especially if you are like me and allergic to several medications!

Hope you feel better real soon 42, take it easy!
Lou P.