ICE stands for in case of emergency

I just received an email from a friend with the following info:

"Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save Paramedics/Police a lot of time, and have your loved ones contacted quickly."

I looked for info to verify this is true. All I could find was info for the UK, but I think it's a good idea and wanted to pass it along.

You can enter several numbers by listing them as ICE 1, ICE 2, etc. I also hyphenated and added the name of the person and relationship to me (e.g.: ICE 1 - father, John Doe), or something that would be helpful.

Here is more info at about it: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ice-campaign-email.html

(Edited to correct web link.)

This message was edited Jul 26, 2005 5:11 PM

That sounds like a good idea.

Your link does not work but I sure like the idea.

Another life saver is being put into effect in areas that have Enhanced 911. In those areas, people who can't speak can press 1 for police, 2 for fire and 3 for ambulance. Not only will it be a life saver for those having a stroke or heart attack or are in the early stages of a seizure, but it also will serve those who are deaf. Now I better google that to make sure it's in the correct order. My short term memory is notoriously unreliable. :)

Thanks, kooger. I have corrected the link; it should work now.

Jody

My evening news mentioned this last night. They said there is nothing official in the US right now, but they thought it was a good idea.

I think it's a fantastic idea and we've already done it. It's such an easy thing to do and since most of us always have our cell phones it makes sense. I've also programed in the phone number for our local police as well as state troopers oops I think TX calls em rangers. DH said he thought that was silly but it can't hurt.

With Crystal Meth an epidemic here of colossal proportions...."ICE" would be the wrong acronymn for anyone to find on my computer or desk..... Good idea tho.

DH had WGN in Chicago news on the other night. They had a segment on putting ICE on ur cell phone. I guess the word is spreading!

I read some good points about it at Snopes.com -- Cellphones are sometimes damaged and won't work after wrecks, plus emergency response teams do not have the luxury of going through someone's cellphone directory. Also, every cellphone has its phone book set up a little differently. Staff at the hospital might take the time while the patient's being treated, though. One of the best things you can do is put a sticker with your emergency contact's name and phone number on the back of your driver's license.

It certainly won't hurt to do the ICE thing, but it should not be one's only means of providing emergency contact info on your person.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/icephone.asp

Great point, GW.

Great Idea. I wil get my husband to do that as well. Hes an OTR truck driver and I worry about him constantly. At least if something happens, someone will get in contact with me or his family. I hope everyone adopts this method.