ICE " in case of emergency " apps worth it ?

[Trekfan]

A co-worker told me about ICE apps that have all your med info listed for EMS / ER if you are found passed out . She said EMS always looks at your Phone for this app. I have a pice of paper in my wallet with my info and one in my service dogs harness but as she was saying if don't have your wallet with you "and I never do when I walk " noone will know to look in the dogs harness .

I want to make shore that some knows to look and care for my service dog if I can't . So I got one of these for my iPhone yesterday the one I got in called smart-ice and it will call SMS for you I have been filling in the info and I just wanted to know is it worth all the work do EMS / look for this on you phone . And where is the best place to keep an ice sheet ?

[CCL RN, RN]

I hope they look elsewhere than just a phone! My iPhone has auto-lock and will erase all the data if too many attempts are made to break the code.

If you have service dogs, id definitely look there...

[germanshep]

I do not have an iphone or any ICE apps. Instead I listed my emergency contacts in my cell's "phonebook" as ICE MOM, ICE HOME, ICE HUSBAND, ICE FRIEND. In addition, I wanted the ICE to show up as the first contact so it is listed as:

A. ICE HUSBAND

A. ICE MOM

Then I list my contacts as normal.

[Trekfan]

I do not have an iphone or any ICE apps. Instead I listed my emergency contacts in my cell's "phonebook" as ICE MOM, ICE HOME, ICE HUSBAND, ICE FRIEND. In addition, I wanted the ICE to show up as the first contact so it is listed as:

A. ICE HUSBAND

A. ICE MOM

Then I list my contacts as normal.

Grate idea

[EmergencyNrse]

Since your phone, numbers, contacts, and texts are now deemed "open communication" I suggest keeping a passcode on your phone for security.

The police no longer need a search warrant to view text messages and such.

People v. Diaz -California: http://www.askthejudge.info/can-a-police-officer-read-my-text-messages/186/

Nothing wrong with a 3 x 5 card in your wallet/purse, maybe in your phone case, or your glove compartment. I believe in ICE notifications but not on an unlocked phone.

I especially believe it is needed if you have children, elderly parents/relatives, or pets that rely on you to come home. If they are dependent on you and you are incapacitated that somebody know that help is needed at home as well.

It doesn't take much and you certainly don't need a "phone app" to do it.

Just my

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Your service dog should have a harness or "coat" with the name of the agency on it. EMS or the police will contact them to see what the reason is you have the animal. A regular collar will not be enough to identify it as a service animal. What agency do you use and do they have your current information?

[thinkertdm]

It sounds like a great idea, but think about this: how many different models of phones are currently in use by people? Literally hundreds, if not thousands. It would be impossible to train a paramedic on how to access the ICE information on each kind of phone. Sure, some are easier than others, but there are so many.

Not to mention those people who lock their phones. Also, I can't imagine anyone in an emergency trying to find this information.

[Trekfan]

Your service dog should have a harness or "coat" with the name of the agency on it. EMS or the police will contact them to see what the reason is you have the animal. A regular collar will not be enough to identify it as a service animal. What agency do you use and do they have your current information?

My guide dog does where a harness all the Time and it is stamped with the schools name "if it has not rubbed off all theses years " my dog also has tags with his Id number and there number and I got him chipped Friday . But as for current info they would my name , phone so on so calling them would be no help .

I was talking more about if "say" I pass out when I was alone or outside and I am found without my guide I would want someone to know to go look for him and bring him to the ER with me or take him to my co-workers .

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

Pretty much everyone knows to look under ICE if it's simply in your contacts. Then you can add a note to to the ICE. Yes, paramedics know about it too. No need for fancy apps.

[escapebigd]

I have the first contact in my phone *In Case of Emergency* that includes my allergies to medications, blood type, organ donor information, and who to contact. I figured if its an emergency situation I really want them to know not to make the situation worse and give me a medication I'm allergic to.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

I can speak from an EMS perspective and tell you that we do not bother looking at a patient's cell phone. If the patient is sick enough that they cannot make the call themselves, then their emergency contact call is the least of our worries. If they are awake and confused we still do not bother with the cell phone since that could be looked apon as a violation of their privacy, especially if it is drug or psychiatric related. I cannot speak as to whether or not hte PD will make any phone calls, I doubt it, since usually we take valuables such as a phone to the hoospital. As an ER RN I do not remember ever using the ICE in someones phone to make a notification.

Happy

[Trekfan]

I have the first contact in my phone *In Case of Emergency* that includes my allergies to medications, blood type, organ donor information, and who to contact. I figured if its an emergency situation I really want them to know not to make the situation worse and give me a medication I'm allergic to.

That is my bigget fear is that someone will use latex on me or one of the other things I have allergie to . I have had it happen more then once I have to ask over and over . Is that latex? 1st time I almost ended up with a latex foley untell someone came runing in yelling no latex ,no latex ??? 2nd time I was given a cream I had allergies to and I ended up in the ER .