ICE (in case of emergency) thing going around from a Paramedic's POV

[thirstysmurf]

I have seen this little email/meme/whatever you wish to call it going around in a few places and I feel that I have to make a couple of comments on it.

Comments

[jacomothefool]

More reading on the matter
http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/icephone.asp

I agree, now that you mention it, a paramedic will have little interest in that info...but perhaps other emergency personel might find the concept useful, like police, or staff at the hospitals?

[thirstysmurf]

It is generally the hospital staff or the police (as the situation warrants) who end up calling next of kin so it is not a bad idea, as I've mentioned. Though, the link you mentioned above does mention some very obvious drawbacks - the main one being that if the patient is unconscious or in a severe accident, it will be difficult to identify the cell found, if it is even found, as belonging to the patient.

I'd consider the idea of putting an emergency contact number in your phone as another resource for hospital staff or police to use rather than as a primary or almost life-saving option (which is what the original meme gives the impression of and what I have the problems with).

[pamhill]

I believe it would be of more use to the police. No matter who uses it the concept is a fantastic idea.

[oninofro]

Good answer. I'm not a paramedic or an emergency care provider but what you said makes perfect sense.

[warrickomega]

ICE I think makes sense in some ways , but yes you do provide a good point about the Hospital personnel and similar. A rather ironic situation but not as likely, is if a person is seperated from their Cellular phone in an emergency. *Yes I have a cell phone, I have admittedly left it home in some situations, but usually they are situations where it contextually makes sense (IE I'm going to a hospital where they have my file, and it'd be bloody useless for them to have my ICE, when they have the nice little green card which comes with having a hospital file)

PS: Apologies if I'm coming outta the blue , just noticed a comment of yours on Shyska's and figured I'd have a looksee at your journal as well.

[thirstysmurf]

NP. Always glad to meet new people so to speak. :) Do we know each other or are we just connecting on LJ?

[warrickomega]

That'd depend. If you're who I am thinking you might be, did you offer an Emergency First Aid course to the Canton? :)

[thirstysmurf]

Yes, I did. Fall last year?