We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory, yet amongst the hundreds of numbers stored, which one is the contact person in the case of an emergency?

This is the concept of ICE....

It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by a large percentage 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 apparently thought up by a paramedic in the US, 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 recognised name for this purpose.

In an emergency situation, to have an easily identifyable number would enable others to 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.

Disclaimer
The Ambulance Service has not launched any campaign supporting ICE (In Case of Emergency). Ambulance supports any method of contacting family in a critical medical emergency. Methods that can be used include information in diaries, wallets, drivers’ licences, and mobile phones. The concept of ICE has merit and would be another source of information to assist with identification.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: in cases involving more than one patient or a where a mobile phone has been borrowed from someone else, it may be difficult to confidently match personal belongings to any one individual. This may in turn lead to unnecessary distress. The Ambulance Service also advises that as with all stored personal information, individuals need to be mindful of confidentiality issues.