In case of emergency, dial 'ICE'
A paramedic in England has launched a national
campaign to encourage people to store
emergency contact details in their mobile phones.
Bob Brotchie, a clinical team leader for the East
Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust, hatched the plan last year
after struggling to get contact details from shocked or
injured patients.
By entering the acronym ICE – for In Case of Emergency –
into the mobile’s phone book, users can log the name and
number of someone who should be contacted in an
emergency.
Bob, 41, 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. It’s difficult to know who to call. Someone might have
“mum” in their phone book but that doesn’t mean they’d
want them contacted in an emergency. 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 now also
help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or
relative – which could be vital in a life or death
situation.”
The campaign is also asking people to think carefully
about who will be their ICE partner - with helpful
advice on who to choose - particularly if that person
has to give consent for emergency medical treatment.
Bob hopes that all emergency services will promote ICE
in their area as part of a national awareness campaign
to highlight the importance of carrying next of kin
details at all times.
He said the idea was for the benefit of loved ones as
well as the patient.
“Research suggests people recover quicker from the
psychological effects of their loved one being hurt if
they are involved at an earlier stage and they can reach
them quickly," he added.
He said he hoped mobile phone companies would now build
the ICE contact into future models, adding: "It's not a
difficult thing to do. As many people say they carry
mobile phones in case of an emergency, it seems natural
this information should be kept there."
Click on the cell phone
For helpful information about how to
use
ICE
To learn how to carry all your
emergency information, including emergency contacts,
with you at all times visit
www.medictag.com
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