Smart British Idea to Help Contact Victim Families

[Ralph]

[I received this e-mail from a former student who is very high up in New York hospital affairs. I wonder if it will catch on here.]

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The London incident has promoted concerns and I share with you what one of my European colleagues just sent. As long as everyone knows what "ICE" stands for, it is not a bad idea. A useful thing to add to your mobile address book!

It was thought up by an ambulance man/paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones but they didn't know which numbers to call and he thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file "next of kin" under.

Following the disaster in London . . .East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign with the support of Falklands war hero Simon Weston.

The idea is that you store the word "I C E " in your mobile phone Address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency."

In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do. Please will you also email this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

[Corlyss_D]

I've heard this a couple of times on the news. Personally I think it's of only limited usefulness. I have my phone with me only about 50% of the time. I prefer tatoos myself.

[Ralph]

I've heard this a couple of times on the news. Personally I think it's of only limited usefulness. I have my phone with me only about 50% of the time. I prefer tatoos myself.

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Corlyss,

Few people live like you do in an area where carrying a cell phone, which can't be used, is a fashion statement at the 7-Eleven. In urban areas virtually everyone has a cell phone.

And how would anyone important to you be notified of you being in trouble because of your "I AM CMG!" tatoos?