Originally published November 29 2005
"In Case of Emergency" information useful in cell phones
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The trend of cell phone owners identifying their "In Case of Emergency" contact information (ICE) in their phones has already caught on overseas, and allows emergency workers to easily find your intended contact.
You are unconscious as paramedics load you into the back of an ambulance.
Meanwhile, police officers are rifling through your belongings, looking for a phone number, an address, something that will lead them to a family member or friend who can go to the hospital or provide medical history that could save your life.
It is a scene that plays out every day across the country, and officers admit finding emergency contact information at a moment's notice isn't always easy.
A concept quickly spreading from overseas encourages cell phone owners to clearly identify their "In Case of Emergency" contact information, or "ICE" for short, in their stored directories.
The idea came from a British paramedic last year but didn't really catch on until a series of terrorist bombings shook London in July, according to news reports.
An emergency worker can easily scroll through the victim's cell phone to find that person's "ICE" number, which can connect them to a spouse, a parent or friend.
Cell phone users should note that "ICE" numbers will be of no use if the cell phone is protected by a pass code and therefore inaccessible.
A lot of people don't have information written down in their wallets, and we're trying to get family members quickly," said detective Tim Gaffney of the Mesa, Ariz., police department.
Detective George Arias of the Chandler, Ariz., police force said people often don't update their vehicle registration or driver's licenses with current information.
Dave Van Amburg, 62, said he and his wife have added "ICE" numbers, but each contact has been instructed to verify the legitimacy of the caller by asking for a call back number and positive identification of the individual being asked about.
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